The Ultimate ’80s Sequel Showdown: Best Follow-Up Film Each Year

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As a movie fan, I really think the 1980s were the golden age of sequels. Seriously, every year seemed to bring at least one amazing follow-up – whether it was building on a surprise success or continuing a beloved story. Some of the best sequels ever came out during that decade, it was just a fantastic time for movies!

The 1980s delivered fantastic sequels to iconic films like Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Ghostbusters, The Karate Kid, and A Nightmare on Elm Street. However, the decade was so strong that even those great sequels weren’t always the best movies of their year, demonstrating just how competitive and high-quality filmmaking was at the time.

1980: The Empire Strikes Back

In 1980, there weren’t many strong contenders for the best movie sequel. Two films really stood out: Superman II. While it wasn’t quite as good as the first Superman movie, it was a solid follow-up. However, The Empire Strikes Back surprised everyone by actually being better than Star Wars.

The Empire Strikes Back is a perfect example of a great sequel – it’s bigger and more ambitious than the first film, delves deeper into the story’s universe, and introduces memorable new characters. Plus, it includes one of the most shocking and famous plot twists in movie history.

Following its release, Star Wars became incredibly successful, growing into one of the most profitable movie franchises ever. Even with all the new Star Wars films that have come out since, many fans still believe The Empire Strikes Back is the very best one – and that’s saying a lot!

1981: Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior

1981 saw a surge in popular sequels, with two standing out in particular. Friday the 13th Part 2 marked the first on-screen appearance of Jason Voorhees as the killer. And Halloween II is considered one of the better films in that series, famously establishing a sibling relationship between Laurie Strode and Michael Myers.

It’s tough to top Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior. While the first Mad Max is a well-regarded classic, most viewers agree the sequel is significantly better. The story is straightforward: Max once again finds himself aiding a group of people trying to protect their settlement from bandits.

Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior delivered even more thrilling action than the first film and earned nominations for several Saturn Awards. It’s widely considered a classic action movie and a strong sequel – although many fans believe the 2015 Mad Max film, Fury Road, surpassed it.

1982: Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan

Like many years in the 1980s, 1982 saw new installments in the Halloween and Friday the 13th series, though they weren’t all successful. The year also brought us Grease 2 and Rocky III. While Rocky III is enjoyable, one sequel released in 1982 is considered the best in its franchise.

The film is Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. While the first Star Trek movie is good, it’s a bit slow and doesn’t have much action. The Wrath of Khan solves those problems, delivering a more exciting and emotionally powerful experience, particularly through the strong bond between Captain Kirk and Spock.

The best part of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is Ricardo Montalbán’s performance as Khan. He’s considered the greatest villain in the entire Star Trek series, so memorable that the character reappeared in Star Trek Into Darkness over thirty years later.

1983: Return Of The Jedi

As a big movie fan, I remember the early ’80s being a bit of a letdown when it came to sequels. Even the decent ones, like Psycho II, just didn’t quite capture the magic of the first film. And some, like Superman III, were just plain disappointing – they didn’t hit the mark at all.

This allows Return of the Jedi to easily claim the number one position, which it likely would in most years. The film beautifully concluded the famous trilogy by delivering the final showdown between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, culminating in a moving battle and their eventual reconciliation. This helped establish Anakin/Darth Vader as the most compelling character in the entire series.

While Return of the Jedi isn’t perfect – some viewers don’t enjoy the emphasis on Ewoks, for example – it’s undeniably brilliant when it hits its stride. It may not be the greatest Star Wars film overall, but it’s easily one of the strongest sequels ever created.

1984: Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom

1984 was a year that launched many iconic film franchises, rather than continuing existing ones. New hits like A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Karate Kid, Terminator, Beverly Hills Cop, Ghostbusters, and Police Academy all debuted that year. While Star Trek III: The Search for Spock was a strong sequel, it was one of the few continuations released.

For me, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is the standout film of its year. While a lot of fans place it as the third best in the original trilogy, I think it’s just fantastic. Spielberg really brings the visual flair, and Harrison Ford is completely comfortable and commanding as Indy in this one.

Ke Huy Quan adds a lot of energy and fun to the film with his supporting role. When it first came out, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom got a mixed reaction from critics, but people generally like it more now than they did initially.

1985: Rocky IV

Custom image by Simone Ashmoore.

1985 saw a wave of sequels, including National Lampoon’s European Vacation, Return to Oz, Rambo: First Blood Part 2, and Friday the 13th: A New Beginning. While not all were successful, Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome remains a favorite among fans of the Mad Max series.

Despite strong competition, Rocky IV stands out as the best sequel of the year. The film begins with a tragic event: Rocky’s friend, Apollo Creed, is killed in the ring by the powerful Ivan Drago, a Soviet boxer. This forces Rocky to come out of retirement and face his most challenging opponent yet.

Rocky IV basically consists of two big fights, bookended by a lot of training scenes. Although that might not sound appealing, it actually works well for the story the film is trying to tell. It’s a movie that really pulls you in emotionally and keeps you hooked until the very end.

1986: Aliens

1986 gave us some great sequels, including the often-overlooked The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, which came over ten years after the first film. The Karate Kid Part II and Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives were also strong entries in their series, and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home remains a really fun movie.

Despite strong competition, Aliens stands out as the best. While the first film was a horror movie, this sequel brought in director James Cameron and shifted the focus to sci-fi action. Aliens really delivered on that promise, featuring some truly memorable action scenes.

Sigourney Weaver delivers a fantastic performance as Ripley, and her connection with a young girl is arguably the most emotionally resonant part of the entire Alien series. With a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Aliens remains a critically acclaimed and beloved sequel.

1987: Evil Dead II

1987 saw the release of several strong sequels, including A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, Beverly Hills Cop II, and Creepshow 2. While it’s hard to choose just one, Evil Dead II stands out as the best of the lot.

After the scary original Evil Dead, the sequel took a surprising turn. It largely repeated the first film’s story, but with a lot more humor, which would define the series from then on. Most notably, it made Bruce Campbell’s character, Ash Williams, a beloved pop culture figure and demonstrated director Sam Raimi’s talent for comedy.

Although the first Evil Dead was a good horror film, Evil Dead II builds on its success and is even better, adding a playful twist. Everything about the movie works wonderfully – the clever writing, Bruce Campbell’s acting, Sam Raimi’s directing, and the practical effects all come together perfectly.

1988: Hellbound: Hellraiser II

1988 was a difficult year to choose the best sequel because there weren’t many good ones. While popular franchises like Die Hard, Child’s Play, and The Naked Gun began that year, most of the sequels released were disappointing, including A Nightmare on Elm Street 4, Friday the 13th Part VII, and Halloween IV.

Because of this, Hellbound: Hellraiser II often stands out as the strongest film in the series. Released a year after Clive Barker’s original novella adaptation (which he also directed), the sequel picks up Kirsty Cotton’s story as she’s admitted to a psychiatric hospital following the terrifying events she experienced.

While not as good as the first one, this sequel is still enjoyable. Critics liked its complex story and frightening moments, but some confusing parts of the plot prevent it from being truly excellent.

1989: Back To The Future Part II

Image Made By Yailin Chacon

Following the strong film year of 1988, 1989 offered a wealth of excellent sequels. Popular choices included Ghostbusters II, the exciting Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, the now-classic holiday comedy Christmas Vacation, and the highly-regarded action-comedy Lethal Weapon II.

It’s tough to top Back to the Future Part II. Directed again by Robert Zemeckis, the movie reunites much of the original cast as they travel to the year 2015 to prevent a problem that could ruin Marty McFly’s family’s future.

The movie brilliantly portrays the future and was a huge commercial success, earning over $300 million. Though not quite as polished as the first film, it’s still incredibly enjoyable and a lot of fun to watch. That’s why Back to the Future Part II remains a beloved sequel.

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2025-11-28 18:03