10 Sequels Of The 2020s That Surpassed Their Original Films

Even though we’re only a little over halfway through the 2020s, the decade has already given us some fantastic movies. Surprisingly, a few sequels have actually been better than the originals. That’s rare, since most people think the first movie in a series is usually the strongest, and sequels often disappoint.

The 2020s have seen a surge in fantastic sequels across many genres. We’ve gotten highly anticipated continuations of classic stories, enjoyable follow-ups to animated hits, superhero movies that surpassed their originals, and massive box office successes. These aren’t just good – some rank among the very best sequels ever created.

Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (2022)

Sequels often manage to surpass their originals, even if the difference in quality isn’t huge. This is true for both Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The first movie recovered from a negative reaction to its first trailer and ultimately pleased both critics and viewers.

The sequel, released two years later, built on the strengths of the first movie, amplifying everything fans enjoyed. Ben Schwartz continues to deliver a lively performance as Sonic, and Jim Carrey is even more hilariously unhinged as Dr. Robotnik. The real highlight, though, was the introduction of two popular characters from the original video games.

With Tails now helping Sonic and Knuckles starting as an enemy before becoming an ally, seeing these three characters together on screen was a highlight for fans. Their interactions created a really fun and unique dynamic that made this movie stand out.

A Quiet Place Part II (2020)

Following the success of the 2018 horror film A Quiet Place, the sequel, A Quiet Place Part II, faced high expectations. The original was a standout, unique horror movie that resonated with audiences. However, the sequel also had to navigate the fact that John Krasinski’s character, Lee, had died in the first film, meaning the story would largely continue without its main hero.

Ultimately, the change proved beneficial, as it gave Millicent Simmonds a chance to take on a leading role. She shines as the story’s central character and hero, delivering a performance many felt deserved awards recognition. Emily Blunt continues to impress, and Cillian Murphy is a strong new addition to the cast.

The success of A Quiet Place Part II came from broadening the story’s scope. The first movie mainly focused on the Abbott family and their life at home, but the sequel showed us more of the world and featured more encounters with the terrifying creatures.

Saw X (2023)

Most fans agree that the first Saw movie is the strongest in the series. While Saw II was long considered the best sequel, that changed with the release of Saw X. Released nearly two decades after the original, Saw X delivered exactly what fans had been hoping for.

Many people felt the Saw movies declined after killing off Tobin Bell’s character, John Kramer. He was a major part of what made the series popular, so Saw X was a welcome return to form by showing his story before the other films.

The storyline of Saw X follows a familiar Saw formula, but the traps are particularly inventive. What sets this film apart is that it makes you sympathize with Jigsaw and showcases a compelling relationship with Amanda before their eventual falling out in Saw III. With an 81% score on Rotten Tomatoes, Saw X currently stands as the highest-rated installment in the entire series.

Minions: The Rise Of Gru (2022)

The Minions from the Despicable Me movies have become incredibly iconic, arguably more so than most new characters in recent years. Their popularity exploded, leading to their own successful movie, Minions, in 2015, which earned over $1 billion at the box office.

Although a second Minions movie seemed likely, many people weren’t thrilled because the first one had received mostly negative reviews. Thankfully, Minions: The Rise of Gru was much better, and critics agreed – its score on Rotten Tomatoes increased by 15%.

The latest Minions movie, The Rise of Gru, told a more streamlined story and brought back Steve Carell as the voice of a young Gru, embarking on an adventure with his Minion companions. With improved animation and a funnier script, the film was a big success with kids, earning over $900 million at the box office.

Terrifier 2 (2022)

Art the Clown is another recent character who’s become incredibly well-known, though he’s very different from characters like the Minions. He first appeared in short films, then starred in the 2016 feature film Terrifier. However, it was the sequel that truly made Art the Clown a widely recognized figure.

Released in 2022, Terrifier 2 builds on the story established in the first film, featuring more of the villain Art the Clown and introducing Sienna Shaw, a new character who becomes his adversary. It’s a significant improvement over the original, with better-developed characters, more memorable moments, and even more of the intense gore the series is known for.

Despite its incredibly low $250,000 budget, Terrifier 2 became a big financial hit, earning $15 million at the box office. It also received more positive reviews than its predecessor. David Howard Thornton is excellent as Art the Clown, and Lauren LaVera delivers a standout performance as a particularly memorable and strong final girl in the horror genre.

The Suicide Squad (2021)

The DC Extended Universe has had a complicated history, and 2016’s Suicide Squad was a particularly low point. The film received overwhelmingly negative reviews due to a weak script, problems during filming, and an ultimately confusing final cut. Despite this, a sequel was surprisingly approved, with significant changes planned.

Okay, so a lot of the cast changed for this one, but thankfully Margot Robbie returned as Harley Quinn – she really made that role her own. And the big change behind the camera? James Gunn took over directing, fresh off the success of the Guardians of the Galaxy films. Honestly, it all paid off. I’d confidently say this is one of the strongest superhero movies we’ve seen in the last few years.

The Suicide Squad offered a fantastic portrayal of Harley Quinn and introduced memorable new characters such as Peacemaker and King Shark. Director James Gunn brought his signature style to the film, featuring a charming team of underdogs, imaginative action, a great soundtrack, and moments that were surprisingly touching.

Avatar: The Way Of Water (2022)

I remember when the first Avatar came out – it totally blew me away! The effects were unlike anything I’d ever seen, and the 3D was genuinely groundbreaking. It’s no surprise it became the highest-grossing film ever, making over $2.5 billion worldwide. It really changed how I thought about movies.

It took over ten years to make the sequel, and many believed excitement had died down since the original Avatar hadn’t stayed a major cultural phenomenon. But they were proven wrong – Avatar: The Way of Water was a huge success, earning over $2 billion at the box office.

Notably, Avatar: The Way of Water surpassed the original film. With Jake and Neytiri now parents, the story invested us in their entire family, making the emotional scenes much more impactful. The action sequences were grander in scale, the newly revealed parts of Pandora were stunning, and the visual effects remained incredibly impressive.

Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

Puss in Boots first gained popularity in the acclaimed animated movie Shrek 2, which led to his own film in 2011. However, Puss in Boots didn’t quite reach the high standard set by the original Shrek movies and felt more similar to the weaker sequels that came later.

For a long time, it seemed like we wouldn’t get another Puss in Boots movie. And when a sequel was finally announced – over ten years later – most people didn’t think it would be very good. But Puss in Boots: The Last Wish surprised everyone. It was a significant upgrade in pretty much every way, including the animation, action sequences, and how the characters were developed.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is a story about Puss confronting his own mortality for the first time, as he realizes his nine lives aren’t infinite. He’s pursued by a powerful and intimidating villain – Death himself – leading to a spectacular final battle. The movie also features wonderful supporting characters who deliver some of its most heartfelt scenes.

Dune: Part Two (2024)

As a huge movie fan, I always heard Dune was considered unfilmable – just way too complex to pull off. That’s why David Lynch’s attempt back in the ’80s, while gaining a cult following over the years, didn’t quite hit the mark. But then Denis Villeneuve came along in 2021 and absolutely nailed it, giving us a truly amazing film.

The first Dune movie was really just the beginning, and dividing the story into two films was a smart move – it gave the complex plot room to breathe. Dune: Part Two is a truly grand spectacle, packed with even more action, compelling characters, and unforgettable moments, especially when experienced on an IMAX screen.

Dune: Part Two received five Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and won awards for Best Visual Effects and Best Sound. The film features a fantastic cast, with standout performances from Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Javier Bardem, Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, and others.

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

As a movie fan, I’ve seen a lot of ‘legacy sequels’ – those films that come out decades after the original – and they’re usually pretty disappointing. Too often, it feels like the studio is just trying to make a quick buck off nostalgia, and the critics definitely agree! But Top Gun: Maverick totally broke that pattern, and in a really great way.

More than three decades after the first Top Gun movie, the sequel was a huge success for many reasons. Tom Cruise’s commitment to performing his own stunts and creating authentic movie experiences was key to making Top Gun: Maverick. The film’s incredible flight sequences truly made viewers feel like they were in the cockpit with the pilots.

Top Gun: Maverick is a truly exhilarating movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Its success – including six Academy Award nominations and over $1 billion in box office revenue – solidifies its place as one of the best sequels of all time.

2025-11-09 18:12