Do you remember the last time you saw a sequel so good that you thought, “Damn, it’s even better than the original one?” Maybe it was when you watched The Dark Knight and realized this movie sequel hit you even better than Batman Begins, or when you played Mass Effect 2 and were blown away by the improved gameplay and graphics. Whatever it was, the best sequels have the ability to get us back to the stories we loved so much while also introducing new characters and exciting elements.
As movie and video game buffs, we know that sequels can be hit or miss. It’s hard to capture the same magic that made the original so memorable, but when it’s done right, they can surpass their predecessors and become classics in their own right. That’s why we got hooked on this Reddit thread where users shared their opinions on which sequels are better than the original!
From Aliens to Portal 2, the list of sequels shared in the online thread is truly impressive. It’s not just limited to movies and video game sequels, though — some people brought a dash of irony by nominating the U.S. Constitution and even Queen Elizabeth II as great “sequels.” We always appreciate a sprinkle of fun, and that’s why we thought they should make the cut. So scroll down and take a look at what people included among the best sequels of all time — we’ll wait for your comments as well!
#1 "Shrek 2"

stuugie replied:
"The invasion with I need a hero playing is one of the best scenes in any movie straight up."
Deflagratio1 replied:
"Jim Steinman is the greatest songwriter of his generation. Antonio Banderas had no right to have so much emotion in that scene with the punchline it does. "Today I repay my debt"."
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28points
#2 "The Dark Knight (2008)"

chriscrossnathaniel replied:
"'If you're good at something, never do it for free.' "It's not about the money, it's about sending a message. Everything burns!" What a masterful performance by Heath Ledger. To quote a review on his performance " The Joker represents the hole in which much of humanity’s irrational predilections toward violence is collectively stored and ignored by our cultural memory… until it can’t be."
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27points
#3 "Kung Fu Panda 2"

"The first was no doubt amazing, but Lord Shen exist. The second movie sustained and improved the first movie offered, the score was amazing, the comedy is still funny, but most importantly the drama and emotional pang still hits hard."
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26points
#4 "The Empire Strikes Back"

wiffleplop replied:
"As much as I love A New Hope, I’ve got to agree. Young me left the cinema in a state of shock, but looking back I can see the brilliance."
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23points
#5 "Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan"

we_are_s**_bobomb replied:
"I think this one belongs at the top of the list because it wasn’t just a really good sequel, it actually redefined Star Trek’s entire aesthetic for the next couple of decades and also brought the franchise back from the dead."
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20points
#6 "The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers"

Mrchristopherrr replied:
"I’d agree if not for the shire. Helms deep is possibly the best battle ever put to film but there’s something about the peaceful shire and Gandalf partying it up with the hobbits."
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20points
#7 "Terminator 2"

nxqv replied:
"That's actually the best way of describing it. You watch T1 for the first time and walk away feeling like you watched an instant classic, easily one of the best sci-fi movies of all time... and then you watch T2 and it just completely blows you away, it obviously redefined what movies could be for a long time afterwards."
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19points
#8 "Toy Story 2"

torbiefur replied:
"I’ve only seen my dad cry three times in my life. Once when he lost his job. Once when his mom died. And once when he first watched 'Toy Story 2'."
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19points
#9 "Godfather Part II"

Sgtwhiskeyjack9105 replied:
"To me they are both essentially one long long movie, which in itself is a testament to the consistency in quality of Part 2. By the time you get to Michael being the Don in the first movie it's also a seamless transition into the sequel."
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17points
#10 "Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade"

vonHindenburg replied:
"I love that scene for being one of the more accurate depictions of an airship interior in cinema history. The Hindenburg's lounge and the keel gangway are just about perfect. Even the hanging airplane was experimented with (for picking up and dropping off mail on the ship's route across France and England), even if it wasn't actually armed."
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17points
#11 "Top Gun Maverick"

TheCelloIsAlive replied:
"Just watched it two days ago. I was never into the original but holy s*** was Maverick just so incredibly good. I was literally on the edge of my seat, it’s just as good as everyone says."
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15points
#12 "Evil Dead 2"

neo_sporin replied:
"I enjoy all three for very different reasons. Probably seen army of darkness the most of them."
"I enjoy all three for very different reasons. Probably seen army of darkness the most of them."
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14points
#13 "Thor: Ragnarok"

punkito1985 replied:
"They both have a bland, underdeveloped villain and a goofy dumb Thor with some kindergarten jokes here and there yet somehow 'Thor: Ragnarok' is awesome and Thor: L&T is awful being essentialy the same movie."
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14points
#14 "Paddington 2"

HoplessWanderer105 replied:
"Both Paddington movies are just perfection. But the prison plot line sets 2 above 1 IMO."
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14points
#15 "Lethal Weapon 2"

DonsDiaperIsFull replied:
"Adding Joe Pesci to the mix was a genius move. The south african henchman wasn't quite as good as Gary Busey, but that's not why we watched it."
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14points
#16 "How To Train Your Dragon 2"

axxonn13 replied:
"The whole HTTYD film series feels like a trilogy that truly built upon the world it created, rather than just pumping out films to milk the franchise."
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14points
#17 "The Good The Bad And The Ugly"

redditor replied:
"Hell, add for a few dollars more. That showdown was downright powerful."
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13points
#18 "I Prefer 'Aliens' Over 'Alien' But I Still Think Alien Was A Good Film And Has Cultural Impact Still Today"

NDaveT replied:
"'Alien' was more of a horror film and 'Aliens' was more of an action film. Both good but in different ways."
"'Alien' was more of a horror film and 'Aliens' was more of an action film. Both good but in different ways."
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13points
#19 "Spiderman 2"

srschwenzjr replied:
"'The power of the sun... in the palm of my hand...' God I love Doc Oc."
"'The power of the sun... in the palm of my hand...' God I love Doc Oc."
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12points
#20 "Captain America: The Winter Soldier"

26Cashlemon replied:
"'Civil War' was an awesome and better sequel to first 'Avenger' as well."
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11points


