While this may a dream come true for some — fans of The Devil Wears Prada were elated by the recent announcement that its star-stacked cast was returning after 18 years — others are less enthusiastic. For instance, Gladiator II has received mixed reviews and ratings with some critics even qualifying it of a ‘rehash of the first film’. Ouch. So, are belated sequels an amazing opportunity or just another Hollywood moneygrabbing attempt? To avoid the disappointments, here is a shortlist of some sequels that were actually worth waiting ten or twenty years.
Blade Runner 2049 (2017): Starting out strong, with a sequel that came out 35 years after Ridley
Scott’s original Blade Runner, and also happens to be one of the most-highly rated sequels.
Honouring the initial film while expanding on it, Blade Runner 2049 also boasts an
amazing soundtrack and stunning visuals. In summary, it has managed to create its unique identity
while capturing the essence of the original.
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022): Released thirteen years after the 1st Avatar, The Way of Water is one of the highest-grossing sequels at the box office. Despite personally having a couple
reservations about its plot (bringing back to life the ‘dead’ villain from the initial film, really?), I had
to include it in this list for its display of gorgeous visual effects and improved CGI, along with a
solid world-building that expands on Pandora’s universe. Beware to those with a short attention
span: its running time is even longer than the original, although the action-packed scenes of the second half keep it engaging.
here is a shortlist of some sequels that were actually worth waiting ten or twenty years.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024): While the sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 comedy-horror classic has
received mixed critics — mainly for its scattered plot—, it still possesses the elements of a good
sequel. With nostalgic nods to the original and returning characters, it however avoids falling into
the trap of merely replicating the initial film’s storyline. Instead, it makes a strong attempt at
adding depth to the story by introducing the themes of loss and grief which, given all, makes
perfect sense for a ghost movie. It might not be Tim Burton’s greatest project to date, but it
certainly will make an enjoyable Halloween watch for the years to come. And I am sure we were
all wondering, just a little bit, what kind of adult Lydia would grow up to be.
Honourable mentions:
Even though Top Gun: Maverick (2022) has received a lot of criticism for its underlying militaristic
message, it is nonetheless on par with, if not better than, the 1986 original. And, for those who
prefer to stray away from action scenes, the two Before Sunrise (1995) sequels, which were
released nine and eighteen years after the original, are usually considered to be among the best
romance sequels. Have your tissues ready, though.
