5 Great Movies That Prove Not All Legacy Sequels Are Bad

Here are five great movies that prove, once and for all, that not all legacy sequels are bad.

5 Great Movies That Prove Not All Legacy Sequels Are Bad

Some may say 30 years is a long time to wait for a sequel. Some ask why bother? And it’s valid, not every movie requires a follow-up no matter how popular or adored it might be. Though there’ve been a few misfires (looking at you Kingdom of the Crystal Skull), others have defied the odds and thankfully, there are filmmakers out there willing to take the risk. As we draw closer to Hocus Pocus 2, viewers can find assurance in knowing that not all legacy sequels are bad – as these have shown.

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

After suffering from substantial delays, Top Gun: Maverick finally released in theatres earlier this year and is still taking the box office by storm. It’s been 36 years since Tom Cruise first soared onto the screen as cocky pilot Pete Mitchell yet it feels that no time has passed at all; Maverick’s still the same lovably reckless scamp, though he’s now weighed down by ghosts of his past. Maverick might be the mother of all sequels.

Adrenaline never stops pumping thanks to incredible action sequences; a new batch of delightfully charming characters join the ranks; and a perfect homage is paid to its widely beloved predecessor.

Halloween (2018)

The Halloween franchise has spawned three decades worth of sequels to binge through. Admittedly, the quality quickly declined over the years, creating a paradox within the timeline. In 2018, David Gordon Green wipes the slate clean, ignoring all events of the previous films except John Carpenter’s original. Halloween (2018) brings back the suspense, the depth, the gore, and most importantly, one of horror’s most iconic heroes, Laurie Strode.

This sequel weaves together elements of nostalgia with its own daring spin on the film series, keeping audiences (old and new) peering over their shoulders. Michael Myers has never been scarier than he is now as the killer and Laurie gear up for the nail-biting showdown we’ve all been waiting for. While its follow-up film Halloween Kills halts the momentum, Halloween (2018) remains a worthy sequel and highlights a promising start to a conclusive trilogy.

Doctor Sleep (2019)

Mike Flanagan very, very rarely misses the mark. His work is beautifully presented; always with a fundamental truth buried deep in the premise; crafted into the utmost horrific tale of ghosts, demons, vampires, and the flaws of humanity. While Flanagan may be a master of horror, taking on the sequel of a much-beloved classic is bound to come with challenges, and yet, he makes it look like child’s play.

Doctor Sleep follows an adult Danny Torrance (Ewan McGregor) as he confronts his demons that have tormented him since childhood. Watching Danny roam the empty halls of the Overlook is haunting; and Flanagan’s use of sound makes an effective mark on viewers – a perfect example of how to incorporate jump scares without overly relying on them. And Rebecca Ferguson, talk about a scene-stealer. Her performance is chilling to the bone, Rose the Hat certainly won’t be forgotten anytime soon.

Creed (2015)

Would it be fair to call Rocky the original underdog story? No one can deny how genuinely uplifting the film is; an honest zero to hero earnestly working his way along the road to success. Sylvester Stallone’s infamous boxer is who you’d want backing your corner; he has the experience, he’s fought the battle to the top, and he’s held his head high all whilst handling more loss than he could have dreamed of.

So, when Rocky hops aboard to mentor his late friend’s – RIP Apollo – son Donnie (Michael B. Jordan), it’s a bittersweet affair. Creed takes the Rocky franchise into a totally new, compelling direction. The 2015 sports drama commemorates its predecessor but adds layers upon layers of emotion that aren’t quite unraveled in the original film series.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

There’s always a lot of pressure on filmmakers when it comes to reviving an adored 80s classic. When it comes to Ghostbusters: Afterlife, there could only be one man for the job – Jason Reitman, son of original Ghostbusters director Ivan Reitman. This is a nostalgia piece for the entire family to enjoy; fan service is paid tastefully, respecting the first two films in their glory.

At the same time, Afterlife establishes a name for itself amongst its younger audience. It is thoroughly charming to watch, which comes as quite the surprise considering the criticism received by 2016’s attempt at a rebrand – Ghostbusters (2016) is far from a bad movie, just to be clear.

NEXT: Hocus Pocus 2 Perfectly Compliments The Original