While sequels can be hard to live up to the original in some cases, there have been a handful of sequels released over the last few years that arguably equal or sur the previous films in the series. Whether it's a legacy sequel or a sequel that could fall under the standalone umbrella, it can be difficult for a movie to not rely on a previous film in the series but when done well it helps the film stand out on its own even more.
With Top Gun: Maverick's release in 2022, it was a great example of how a sequel can recap the original movie for viewers that may have not seen it. Viewers will always be attracted to film series with one overarching story but great sequels that you can watch without seeing the original will always be unique.
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Mad Max film franchise returned to form in 2015 with the release of Fury Road, providing a new incarnation of Max Rockatansky for a new generation and fans of the original trilogy to enjoy. With George Miller returning to direct the fourth film in the series, fans had high expectations and the film delivered.
Hailed as one of the best action movies of the 21st century, Mad Max: Fury Road introduces new characters to the franchise while keeping its trademark apocalyptic action setting, elevated by the technological advancements in modern filmmaking. While technically a reboot, Fury Road rarely relied on the original trilogy and provided the first original Mad Max story in over 30+ years.
Doctor Sleep
Stephen King has never been known to write many sequels to his original novels, but he has written a handful of sequels that have also been adapted into movies. The Shining.
While The Shining is considered a horror classic, Doctor Sleep wasn't as acclaimed but was solid on its own. Taking place decades after the first film, Doctor Sleep works as both a standalone and a sequel. The film uses flashback sequences as a launching point, but they don't feel misplaced and elevate Danny Torrance's arc throughout the movie.
Borat Subsequent MovieFilm
Sacha Baron Cohen's Borat is one of the most recognizable figures in the mockumentary genre, especially after the first Borat Subsequent MovieFilm in what can be seen as a time capsule for the year and the start of the decade.
Covering everything from the 2020 US Presidential campaigns to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Borat sequel provided an intriguing political satire and commentary in one of the most life-changing years that audiences have had to endure.
Bad Boys For Life
In the third film in the Bad Boys series, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence returned to reprise their roles as Mike Lowery and Marcus Burnett respectively as the two Miami detectives embarked on a new adventure. Though the first two films weren't necessarily critical favorites, Bad Boys for Life is arguably the best film in the trilogy and had the best box-office performance of the trilogy.
Bad Boys for Life takes place over 17 years after Bad Boys II and gives viewers an update on the lives of Lowery and Burnett. With Burnett ready to retire, he's roped into another go-around with Lowery, stemming from Lowery's past.
Toy Story 4
Toy Story 4 came as a surprise to many fans of the franchise as the third installment in the franchise perfectly wrapped up the toy's arc and gave them a happy ending as Andy headed off for college. But the fourth film in the series served as somewhat of an epilogue, showing Woody's journey in finding new purpose as a toy.
Toy Story 4 breaks from the traditional Toy Story formula that viewers had seen in the previous movies as the film focuses on Woody particularly. While seeing the original trilogy beforehand would be great for learning about the toy's previous lives, viewers could watch the fourth one and view Woody's journey in finding his own purpose post-Andy after years of helping other toys do the same.
Halloween (2018)
The Halloween franchise has seen a few different continuities and reboots, but a handful of the sequels have gone on to become cult classicsHalloween, being a direct sequel to the original.
Following up on Laurie Strode's life after her traumatic encounter with Michael Myers in the first film, Halloween (2018) did a great job of explaining the events of the 1978 original without getting away from the story. Halloween (2018) was a fresh take on the franchise and added new layers to the dynamic of Laurie and Michael while keeping the spirit of the John Carpenter classic.
The Suicide Squad
Suicide Squad. Most DCEU fans would agree that the bar to sur the original was not very high but The Suicide Squad made it clear from the beginning of the film that not only would it be better, but stylistically different as well.
From director James Gunn, the film contained his trademark humor and familial beats that viewers have seen in his other superhero projects like Guardians of the Galaxy. The Suicide Squad works as a standalone but also included Harley Quinn and Rick Flag from the original film's Task Force X to provide some continuity.
Tron: Legacy
The first Tron film in 1982 showcased impressive VFX for the time and when a sequel was released in 2010, the visual experience was aided by the technology of contemporary filmmaking and provided a great movie-going experience alongside the Tron lore.
Following the disappearance of Kevin Flynn, his son Sam explores the grid in search of his father. Tron: Legacy took advantage of VFX in a way where the original wasn't able to and while critics and fans may disagree on the movie overall, the film still holds up as one of the best-looking of the 2010s.
Top Gun: Maverick
While it didn't make its original release date in the summer of 2019, it would be safe to say that most moviegoers would agree that Top Gun: Maverick's 2022 release was worth the wait. Deemed as one of the best summer blockbusters in recent memory, the Top Gun sequel follows Maverick as he returns to TOPGUN to train a new slate of pilots for an important mission.
Tom Cruise and Miles Teller were both revered for their performances as Maverick and Rooster respectively, but the film contained arguably the best flight sequences ever put to screen. Top Gun: Maverick is a great example of a legacy sequel that doesn't rely too much on nostalgia.
