Horror sequels have always been notoriously difficult to get right, but looking back on some sequels years later, I’m often shocked by how well some of them hold up. Despite certain franchises being criticized for continuing indefinitely, when I took the time to truly look at individual entries and considered them on their own merits alone, I was consistently surprised by how many hidden gems were way better than I remembered. Certain sequels get a bad reputation that, in hindsight, deserved to get a lot more love.
In my opinion, franchise films have often been unfairly compared to the originals, and despite rehashing many of the same story beats as the first film, they still had a lot to offer. Other sequels, like Halloween III, were unfairly judged for departing too much from the previously established story structure, and it is only now, looking back, that I can appreciate how well the movie worked as a great stand-alone horror movie viewing experience. For many reasons, lots of horror sequels were way better than I remembered.
15
Jaws 2 (1978)
Directed by Jeannot Szwarc
The first Jaws movie was a watershed moment in cinematic history that helped usher in the era of the summer blockbuster and established Steven Spielberg as a major Hollywood figure. With this reputation behind it, I always dismissed the Jaws sequels as unnecessary, and that’s why I was pleasantly surprised by how well Jaws 2 held up. While it’s true that Jaws 2 can be criticized for retreading much of the same plot points as the first film, I believe it still stood out as an effective thriller with great performances, impressive special effects, and an iconic score by John Williams.
Jaws 2
Released in 1978, Jaws 2 is the sequel to the original named release and the second overall film of the franchise. Written by Carl Gottlieb and Howard Sackler, with direction from Jeannot Szwarc, the film once again sees a Great White shark terrorizing the citizens of Amity Island.
- Director
-
Jeannot Szwarc
- Release Date
-
June 16, 1978
- Writers
-
Peter Benchley
, Carl Gottlieb
, Howard Sackler - Cast
-
Roy Scheider
, Lorraine Gary
, Murray Hamilton
, Joseph Mascolo
, Jeffrey Kramer
, Collin Wilcox Paxton
, Ann Dusenberry
, Mark Gruner - Runtime
-
116 Minutes
- Main Genre
-
Thriller
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14
Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice (1992)
Directed by David Price
Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice maintained the eerie atmosphere of Stephen King’s story and stood as one of the best horror sequels of the 1990s. Taking place just two days after the original, Children of the Corn II followed the surviving Gatlin children being taken in by families in a neighboring town, only for the story of He Who Walks Behind the Rows to continue with frightening effect. While I agree this sequel can’t live up to the original, it was way better than I remember and among the best entries in the entire franchise.
Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice (1992)
A journalist and his son travel to Nebraska to investigate the mysterious town of Gatlin where, unbeknownst to them, a murderous cult of children are still waiting in the corn fields.
- Director
-
David Price
- Release Date
-
January 29, 1993
- Writers
-
A L Katz
, Gilbert Adler
, Stephen King - Cast
-
Terence Knox
, Paul Scherrer
, Ryan Bollman
, Christie Clark
, Rosalind Allen
, Ned Romero
, Ed Grady
, John Bennes - Runtime
-
92 Minutes
- Main Genre
-
Horror
13
The Fly II (1989)
Directed by Chris Walas
I’ve always been a big fan of director David Cronenberg’s work, so I was skeptical about the viability of a sequel to his acclaimed sci-fi remake, The Fly. Without Cronenberg or its star, Jeff Goldblum, returning, I always viewed The Fly II as an unnecessary follow-up that felt like it shouldn’t have been made. However, returning to The Fly II many years later, I discovered a fascinating film just as repulsive, outrageous, and purely entertaining as Creonberg’s version. While The Fly will always be my favorite entry in this series, The Fly II was far better than I remembered.
12
Bride Of Chucky (1998)
Directed by Ronny Yu
The Child’s Play franchise has always been categorized as over-the-top, campy, fun filmmaking that blended horror and comedy with thrilling effect. While I’ve always been a fan of this series, it was not until I revisited Bride of Chucky that I realized how slept-on this movie was. As the first film that departed from the Andy Barclay storyline and embraced a more self-referential style, Bride of Chucky reignited the franchise creatively, introduced the character of Tiffany Valentine, and stood as my favorite entry.
Bride of Chucky
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Bride of Chucky is the fourth entry in the Child’s Play franchise and marks the first film to drop the franchise name from the title. Chucky returns in this darkly comedic slasher and finds himself revived after his former girlfriend stitches him back together with the hopes of continuing their relationship. When Chucky decides to transfer her soul into a doll, the two aim to take the bodies of two young lovers as they prepare to elope.
- Director
-
Ronny Yu
- Release Date
-
October 16, 1998
- Distributor(s)
-
Universal Pictures
- Writers
-
Don Mancini
- Cast
-
Brad Dourif
, Jennifer Tilly
, Katherine Heigl
, Nick Stabile
, John Ritter
, Alexis Arquette
, Gordon Michael Woolvett - Runtime
-
89 Minutes
- prequel(s)
-
Child’s Play 3
, Child’s Play 2
, Child’s Play - Budget
-
$25 Million
11
Final Destination 5 (2011)
Directed by Steven Quale
I always loved the Final Destination series and thought using the very concept of Death itself as its villain was an ingenious decision that set these movies apart from other more traditional slashers. However, by the time the franchise got to its fifth entry, I had written the series off for being too repetitive and having squandered its incredible potential. But returning to Final Destination 5, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a film far better than I remembered, as it utilized a 3D style and special effects to deliver one of the franchise’s best entries.
Final Destination 5
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In the fifth installment of the Final Destination franchise, survivors of a suspension bridge collapse are killed in horrific ways after cheating death. Final Destination 5 recieved mixed reviews upon release but was praised for it’s inventive deaths and use of 3D technology. In 2019, it was confirmed that Final Destination 6 was in development.
- Director
-
Steven Quale
- Release Date
-
August 12, 2011
- Studio(s)
-
Warner Bros. Pictures
- Distributor(s)
-
Warner Bros. Pictures
- Writers
-
Eric Heisserer
- Cast
-
Jacqueline MacInnes Wood
, Tony Todd
, Emma Bell
, David Koechner
, Nicholas D’Agosto - Runtime
-
92 minutes
- Franchise(s)
-
Final Destination
- Sequel(s)
-
Final Destination 6
- prequel(s)
-
Final Destination
, The Final Destination
, final destination 2
, Final Destination 3 - Budget
-
$40 Million
10
Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones (2014)
Directed by Christopher Landon
Looking back on the Paranormal Activity franchise, I was delighted to realize that the fifth entry, The Marked Ones, was far better than I remembered. Paranormal Activity: The Marked expanded the franchise’s lore by highlighting the witches’ coven as a sinister presence with untold influence. While it may appear downright incomprehensible at times, I can’t deny that The Marked Ones made for thrilling viewing filled with great performances, plenty of scares, and enough twists and turns that kept the franchise feeling fresh even after so many releases.
9
Predator 2 (1990)
Directed by Stephen Hopkins
Predator 2 blended action, horror, and science fiction and suffered from a wholly negative reputation, which meant I avoided watching it for far too long. However, looking back on Predator 2 decades after it was first released, I was surprised to find a solid action-horror that took the jungle survival setting of the original and expertly translated it into a gritty urban environment. For me, the highlight of Predator 2 came after Lieutenant Mike Harrigan (Danny Glover) made it onboard the Predator’s ship, which expanded upon the series lore and laid the foundations for its crossover with the Alien franchise.
8
Halloween III: Season Of The Witch (1982)
Directed by Tommy Lee Wallace
As the only entry in the Halloween series that did not feature the serial killer Michael Myers, I always considered Halloween III: Season of the Witch to be an anomaly within the series. Because of this, it’s easy to disregard Halloween III, especially as it imbues the series with aspects of witchcraft and science fiction elements. However, when viewed on its own merits alone, Halloween III was a suspenseful and enjoyable cult film that, in my opinion, offered a unique insight into an alternative horror history where the Halloween franchise was not always associated with Myers.
Halloween III: Season of the Witch
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Halloween 3: Season of the Witch is a sci-fi horror film that acts as the third film in the original Halloween films that started in the 1970s. The first and only Halloween film not to feature Michael Myers as the villain, Halloween 3 instead focuses on witchcraft. When a man escapes with a strange jack-o-lantern mask while on the run from mysterious men in suits, the truth is that these masks kill children when they put them on. Protagonists Daniel and Ellie decide to discover the truth behind the manufacturer, the Silver Shamrock company, but what awaits them is a confrontation out of this world.
- Director
-
Tommy Lee Wallace
- Release Date
-
October 22, 1982
- Studio(s)
-
Universal Pictures
- Distributor(s)
-
Universal Pictures
- Writers
-
Tommy Lee Wallace
, John Carpenter
, Nigel Kneale - Cast
-
Tom Atkins
, Stacey Nelkin
, Dan O’Herlihy
, Michael Currie
, Ralph Strait
, Jadeen Barbor - Runtime
-
98 minutes
- prequel(s)
-
Halloween (1978)
, Halloween 2 - Budget
-
$2.5 million
7
The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1995)
Directed by Kim Henkel
The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre was such a flop at the box office that I had always disregarded it as a low point in the series. However, I must admit I couldn’t have been more wrong, as not only did it feature early career performances from pre-fame Renée Zellweger and Matthew McConaughey, but it also included elements of parody, self-referential, and even a secret society subplot. The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre was a uniquely campy horror film that paid homage to the franchise’s legacy while adding something new to it.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994)
A group of teenagers get into a car crash in the Texas woods on prom night, and then wander into an old farmhouse that is home to Leatherface (Robert Jacks) and his insane family of cannibalistic psychopaths.
- Director
-
Kim Henkel
- Release Date
-
September 22, 1995
- Writers
-
Kim Henkel
, Tobe Hooper - Cast
-
Renée Zellweger
, Matthew McConaughey
, Robert Jacks
, Tonie Perensky
, Joe Stevens
, Lisa Marie Newmyer
, John Harrison
, Tyler Shea Cone - Runtime
-
87 Minutes
- Main Genre
-
Horror
6
Scream 4 (2011)
Directed by Wes Craven
The Scream franchise has always been among my favorite horror series ever made, and I have always thought of the first three films as an excellent deconstruction of the cliches and tropes of horror trilogies. However, I also felt like Scream 4 got left behind, and looking back on it today, it stands as a fantastic look at the cinematic landscape of horror remakes in the 21st century. As the final film by the legendary horror director Wes Craven, I think Scream 4 deserved a lot more love and attention than it got at its release.
Scream 4
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The fourth entry into the iconic Scream franchise, this slasher sequel chronicles yet another killing spree in the suburban town of Woodsboro. Fifteen years after the events of the original Scream, a copycat killer begins murdering local teens in an attempt to recreate the Ghostface murders. Combining slasher action with mystery and social commentary, Scream 4 reunites franchise mainstays Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette, along with new characters played by Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, and Rory Culkin.
- Director
-
Wes Craven
- Release Date
-
April 15, 2011
- Studio(s)
-
Outerbanks Entertainment
, The Weinstein Company - Distributor(s)
-
Dimension Films
- Writers
-
Kevin Williamson
- Cast
-
Courteney Cox
, Neve Campbell
, David Arquette
, Emma Roberts
, Hayden Panettiere
, Anthony Anderson
, Alison Brie
, Adam Brody
, Rory Culkin
, Marielle Jaffe - Runtime
-
111 Minutes
- Franchise(s)
-
Scream
- Sequel(s)
-
Scream (2022)
, Scream 6
, Scream 7 - prequel(s)
-
Scream 2
, Scream 3
, Scream - Budget
-
$40 Million
5
Bride of Re-Animator (1990)
Directed by Brian Yuzna
In my opinion, Re-Animator was the greatest H.P. Lovecraft adaptation ever made, and as a beloved cult classic, that film often overshadowed the quality of the sequel, Birde of Re-Animator. As a continuation of Lovecraft’s short story “Herbert West–Reanimator,” I loved how Bride of Re-Animator paid homage to Lovecraft and to the classic horror movie Bride of Frankenstein. With plenty of returning cast members and just as much over-the-top gore, I will always argue for Bride of Re-Animator’s status as an underrated horror classic.
Bride of Re-Animator (1990)
Doctors Herbert West and Dan Cain discover the secret to creating human life and proceed to create a perfect woman from dead tissue.
- Director
-
Brian Yuzna
- Release Date
-
July 8, 1990
- Writers
-
Zeph E. Daniel
, Rick Fry
, H.P. Lovecraft
, Brian Yuzna - Cast
-
Jeffrey Combs
, Bruce Abbott
, Claude Earl Jones
, Fabiana Udenio
, David Gale
, Kathleen Kinmont
, Mel Stewart
, Irene Cagen - Runtime
-
96 Minutes
- Main Genre
-
Horror
4
Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994)
Directed by Wes Craven
As a franchise, A Nightmare on Elm Street has had plenty of entries with a massive disparity in quality, but looking back, Wes Craven’s New Nightmare stood as a hidden gem that was way better than I remembered. By exploring a new continuity that portrayed Freddy Kruger as a fictional movie villain who invaded the real world to haunt those making a film about him, I thought that New Nightmare added a new meta-layer of meaning to the series. With a self-aware style, it was refreshing to see Craven deconstruct horror tropes and deliver one of his very best films.
Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994)
A demonic force has chosen Freddy Krueger as its portal to the real world. Can Heather Langenkamp play the part of Nancy one last time and trap the evil trying to enter our world?
- Director
-
Wes Craven
- Release Date
-
October 14, 1994
- Studio(s)
-
New Line Productions
- Distributor(s)
-
New Line Cinema
- Writers
-
Wes Craven
- Cast
-
Heather Langenkamp
, Robert Englund
, Miko Hughes
, John Saxon
, Tracy Middendorf
, David Newsom
, Fran Bennett
, Wes Craven
, Robert Shaye
, Marianne Maddalena
, Sam Rubin
, Sara Risher - Runtime
-
112 minutes
- Franchise(s)
-
A Nightmare on Elm Street
- Budget
-
$8 Million
- Main Genre
-
Horror
3
Psycho II (1983)
Directed by Richard Franklin
For me, Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho was one of the greatest movies ever made, in which Anthony Perkins delivered a career-defining performance at the troubled Bates Motel proprietor Norman Bates. While Psycho has consistently been written about as an undisputed masterpiece, the same cannot be said about the rest of the series, which has been criticized as unnecessary and inferior. However, revisiting Psycho II revealed a fascinating follow-up that paid homage to the original and proved Perkins still had what it took to recapture the essence of Norman’s nefarious nature.
2
The Exorcist III (1990)
Directed by William Peter Blatty
Although I’ve never gone into an Exorcist sequel with the expectation that it could outdo the original, the closest any entry in this franchise came to achieving that was The Exorcist III. This was because it was written and directed by the original novel’s author, William Peter Blatty, who effectively added to the franchise’s lore while maintaining the original’s eerie atmosphere. While The Exorcist III was full of slow-building tension, for me, the most enjoyable aspect was just how funny it was, and upon rewatching it, I was struck by how underappreciated it was as a sequel.
The Exorcist III
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The Exorcist III is a supernatural horror film written and directed by William Peter Blatty. Set over a decade after the events of the original Exorcist film, The Exorcist III Follows Lieutenant Kinderman as he investigates a murder that shares similarities to a killer who was executed fifteen years earlier – and a patient at a local psychiatric ward claims to be that same man.
- Director
-
William Peter Blatty
- Release Date
-
August 17, 1990
- Distributor(s)
-
20th Century Fox
- Writers
-
William Peter Blatty
- Cast
-
George C. Scott
, Ed Flanders
, Jason Miller
, Scott Wilson
, Nicol Williamson
, Brad Dourif - Runtime
-
110 Minutes
- Franchise(s)
-
The Exorcist
- Sequel(s)
-
The Exorcist: Believer
, The Exorcist: Deceiver - prequel(s)
-
The Exorcist
, Exorcist: The Beginning
, Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist
1
Doctor Sleep (2019)
Directed by Mike Flanagan
I remember being apprehensive when it was announced Mike Flanagan was directing Doctor Sleep, which acted as a sequel to Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining and an adaptation of the novel by Stephen King. It felt like these were lofty shoes to fill, and although I enjoyed the film upon release, the magnitude of what Flanagan had pulled off only truly struck me upon revisiting it. By walking the fine line between King’s sequel story and the legacy of Kubrick’s film, I felt like Doctor Sleep achieved the impossible and was a movie that pleased both King and Kubrick camps.
Doctor Sleep
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Based on Stephen King’s book of the same name and the sequel to The Shining, Doctor Sleep follows an adult Danny Torrance (Ewan McGregor) as he confronts his past at the Overlook Hotel. When a young girl named Abra reaches out to Danny using the telepathic Shine, he learns that she is being hunted and reluctantly becomes her protector. With the Overlook Hotel holding the key to Danny’s own power, he’s forced to return in order to finally move on.
- Director
-
Mike Flanagan
- Release Date
-
October 30, 2019
- Studio(s)
-
Warner Bros. Pictures
- Distributor(s)
-
Warner Bros. Pictures
- Writers
-
Stephen King
, Akiva Goldsman
, Mike Flanagan - Cast
-
Carl Lumbly
, Ewan McGregor
, Bruce Greenwood
, Emily Alyn Lind
, Rebecca Ferguson
, Alex Essoe
, Kyliegh Curran
, Zahn McClarnon - Runtime
-
153 minutes
- prequel(s)
-
The Shining
- Budget
-
$55 million