100% is a rare feat for any movie, and these sequels achieved the impossible and achieved that number on Rotten Tomatoes. In the vast landscape of cinema, sequels often find themselves navigating tricky terrain. They arrive, not as fresh narratives, but with the inherited weight of an original film, which was likely awarded a number of accolades. As a result, the challenge of a movie sequel is multifaceted: Sequels must satisfy the fans who have pre-existing expectations, introduce new elements to re-engage audiences, and simultaneously remain true to the spirit of the first film. Achieving this is a balancing act of the highest level, and many falter in the attempt.

However, even if a sequel manages to rise above its precursor, another daunting hurdle awaits: the scrutiny of critics and, of course, the Rotten Tomatoes score. Achieving a pristine 100% rating is no small feat, and with a medley of critics from varied backgrounds and tastes, unanimous acclaim is as rare as it is coveted. Sequels specifically are dissected, analyzed, and often judged more harshly due to heightened expectations following the first movie in the series. Nevertheless, in the rigorous Rotten Tomatoes arena, a few sequels have defied the odds, receiving universal praise and securing their place in the annals of film history.

5 Three Colors: Red (1994)

Three Colors: Red isn't just a sequel, but the movie is the threequel in a trilogy. The movie was preceded by Three Colors: Blue and Three Colors: White, which three films were released within a year. The Three Colors trilogy is incredibly consistent, as Blue has a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, and White has an 89%. However, Red has a perfect 100% based on 63 reviews. The trilogy is more of a triptych of interconnected tales than a conventional series, but Three Colors: Red is still technically a sequel, and the film serves as the climactic finale of everything that came before it.

The movie is a psychological drama that's set against the backdrop of Geneva, and it traces the unexpected bond between Valentine, a model, and Judge Kern, a withdrawn retired magistrate. Beyond the movie's central duo, Three Colors: Red astounds in its inability to draw characters from Blue and White, intertwining their fates in a narrative tapestry. This delicate weaving of stories and the profound exploration of interconnectedness won critics over. Additionally, its recognition at the Academy Awards with three nominations - Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Cinematography - underscored Three Colors: Red's cinematic achievement.

4 Toy Story 2 (1999)

In the pantheon of animation, Pixar's Toy Story was already a titan in the 1990s, but with Toy Story 2, Pixar totally defied expectations. The narrative, centered around Woody's abduction by a toy collector, became a vehicle for themes of obsolescence, identity, and purpose, and the mature themes resonated with not just children but adults too. Beyond the central plot, the film's exploration of a toy's existential dread - being forgotten or replaced - struck a chord with critics. Reviewers lauded the film's ambition in of both storytelling and digital effects, and the film completely elevated the animation genre at the time.

The movie was a phenomenal success, as not only did the movie earn 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, but won Best Original Song at the Oscars, and it earned a huge worldwide gross of $487 million worldwide against a $100 million budget (via Box Office Mojo). the original Toy Story also earned 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, but the series has struggled to hit that rare number since. Toy Story 3 has 98% and Toy Story 4 has 97%. Nevertheless, those numbers are high and hard to reach, and the franchise is remarkably consistent.

3 Creep 2 (2017)

The Creep franchise, by its very design, is meant to unsettle and disconcert. While the original introduced audiences to the enigmatic and deeply unnerving world of serial killer Josef (Mark Duplass), Creep 2 amplifies the psychological tension. The narrative pivots around the ambitious artist, Sara (Desiree Akhavan), who, in her quest for unique content for her documentary series, meets Josef. One of the standout features of Creep 2 is its ability to morph a simple premise into a complex character study. Josef is expanded upon - he's not merely a figure of terror but a multi-faceted individual with vulnerabilities, desires, and a twisted sense of purpose.

Creep 2 only has 26 reviews on audiences want to see Creep 3.

2 A Bread Factory, Part Two: Walk With Me A While (2018)

A Bread Factory, Part Two: Walk with Me a While is the second part of an epic comedy-drama, and while they were both released on October 26, 2018, the movie is technically a sequel to A Bread Factory, Part One: For the Sake of Gold. The two movies are about a group of artists who share an art space in the fictional upstate New York town of Checkford, and the town's council is threatening to take away the art center's funds. While the releases could arguably be classed as two halves of one four-hour movie, the two films have their own scores on Rotten Tomatoes, and they are both 100%.

However, while the 100% is impressive, the movie could be rated a lot lower if there was a larger pool of critics reviewing A Bread Factory, Part Two, as the sequel only has 22 reviews. Not only that but while the movie sits at 100% from a critical standpoint, the audience score is a stark contrast with a way lower "rotten" 56%, suggesting that its avant-garde approach may not have universally resonated with mainstream audiences.

1 SPL II: A Time For Consequences (2015)

SPL II: A Time for Consequences stands as a unique entry in the canon of cinematic sequels. While the 2015 movie carries the SPL moniker from the 2005 movie Sha Po Lang, the two films share more of a thematic lineage than a direct narrative connection. The distinction is further muddled by its alternate title, Kill Zone 2. In essence, SPL II: A Time for Consequences is a sequel in name only, but it still holds its place in the echelon. This means that viewers can delve into the world of SPL II without any prerequisite knowledge from Sha Po Lang, making it an accessible standalone experience.

The original film's plot is a gritty intertwining tale of undercover cops, prison rings, and organ trafficking, and it offers a riveting ride that garnered praise on its own merits. While the original Sha Po Lang sits at an impressive 93%, the standalone sequel has 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. SPL II: A Time for Consequences takes a different narrative direction focused on different characters, but it doubles down on the intense action and themes of complex morality. The ability of SPL II to both honor and diverge from its namesake showcases the flexibility and potential of thematic sequels in cinema.

Sources: Rotten Tomatoes, Box Office Mojo