Top 10 Best Horror Movie Sequels

What makes a great horror sequel? For that matter, how far should future installments differentiate themselves from the OG? “28 Weeks Later” couldn’t feel more removed from its predecessor, Danny Boyle’s “28 Days Later.” This sequel from director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo feels in-line with audience expectations for a more typical “zombie outbreak” scenario. The loneliness and sprawling, empty landscapes of Boyle’s vision are replaced with a more action-oriented tale of how the rage virus has spread, and what humanity is doing to combat the inevitable. “28 Weeks Later,” as a result, feels like both a sequel and companion piece of sorts, and you don’t need to be familiar with Boyle’s original to enjoy the ride.

William Peter Blatty, author of the original “Exorcist” novel, helmed this second sequel to the genre-defining 1973 adaptation of his work. “The Exorcist III” combines elements of police procedurals and occult terror as Lieutenant William Kinderman investigates a series of violent killings. These ritualistic murders all contain the meticulous handiwork of the long-deceased Gemini Killer, which raises questions as to what in the devil is going on. George C. Scott and his co-star Brad Dourif both deliver career-defining monologues, while the set pieces are creepy and ultra-disturbing. Oh, and “The Exorcist III” also contains one of horror cinema’s finest jump scares, full stop.

We’re living in the era of the “re-quel” – direct sequels that reboot a franchise, while ignoring all previous sequels. This can often be a dicey proposition, and usually delivers mixed results, but 2018’s “Halloween” was a notable exception. Director David Gordon Green captured the menace and unpredictability of John Carpenter’s original, while also updating some of the brutality for the late 2010s. Sure, some fans lamented the changing of key plot points, such as Laurie Strode now not being related to Michael Myers. Then again, these sorts of controversial decisions are often what sets certain sequels and “re-quels” apart from the pack.

Wes Craven’s original “Scream” wasn’t the first film to contain meta-commentary about slasher cinema, but it’s arguably one of the most influential. Its 1997 sequel, “Scream 2,” also has a lot of fun dissecting and deconstructing many of the tropes that we love within this genre. Screenwriter Kevin Williamson pokes gentle fun at the horror sequel’s reputation for diminishing returns, while at the same time employing some black humor amidst all of the grisly slayings. The production of “Scream 2” was complicated and chaotic, but the end results speak for themselves.

The task of creating a sequel to Stanley Kubrick’s landmark adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Shining” couldn’t have been easy. Writer/director Mike Flanagan had some gigantic shoes to fill, yet many fans couldn’t wait to step back into the Overlook Hotel for another trip into darkness. “Doctor Sleep” isn’t without its problems. However, Flanagan’s eye for composition allows his updated vision to successfully distance itself from both King’s source material and Kubrick’s austere film. “Doctor Sleep” feels very much like its own thing, rather than a legacy picture, and this helps Flanagan’s work step up to the plate and take a swing at greatness.

This franchise has done better than most when it comes to successful sequels. “Wes Craven’s New Nightmare” from 1994 was an admirably meta take on Freddy Krueger, but fans of a certain age will likely point to 1987’s “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors” as a series high point. This entry has it all, from Dokken’s amazing theme song, to a memorable and likable cast of characters. “Dream Warriors” is also where Krueger’s wisecracks begin to filter in more prominently, balancing proper scare tactics with moments of mean-spirited levity. We celebrate a lot of the “Nightmare” sequels, but “Dream Warriors” stands the test of time when it comes to rewatchability.

Back in 1935, the genre of horror sequels was in its infancy, with filmmakers still testing the waters in regards to what they could achieve. This makes “Bride of Frankenstein” all the more amazing to watch today, since it gets so many things correct, right from the jump. There’s the insertion of more humor into the proceedings, which works, but these moments are then juxtaposed against classic horror scares and scenes of real, emotional pathos. Meanwhile, Elsa Lanchester’s portrayal of the titular Bride is nothing short of iconic – a word that’s tossed around a lot, but which definitely fits the bill here. “Bride of Frankenstein” is truly as good as everyone says it is.

Writer/director Sam Raimi and co-writer Scott Spiegel could’ve easily rehashed their gruesome horror masterpiece, “The Evil Dead” for a quick, cash-in sequel. We probably wouldn’t be talking about either “Evil Dead II” or 1992’s “Army of Darkness” if they had done that, however. That’s because “Evil Dead II” instead chooses to revisit that cabin in the woods with a knowing sense of humor to go along with all the red stuff. The film still possesses many genuinely gross and frightening moments. But Bruce Campbell’s performance as Ash Williams adds physical comedy beats that help make “Evil Dead II” feel like one-of-a-kind.

George A. Romero helped change the game with his original “Night of the Living Dead,” while also delivering two sequels that cemented his reputation as a legend. 1985’s “Day of the Dead” was outstanding, but 1978’s “Dawn of the Dead” is perhaps the perfect zombie movie, full stop. Much has been said about the film’s (intended or not) commentary about commercialism, but beyond this, “Dawn of the Dead” has become a tentpole for the genre. The undead hordes seem unstoppable, and our protagonists’ sense of desperation leaves the audience with a profound feeling of hopelessness. The world is, quite simply, on its knees, and Romero ensures that the stakes feel high from moment one to his harrowing finale.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

A Long-Anticipated Direct Sequel to the Original “Saw”

Don’t Speak. Don’t Breathe. Or Else.

The Man Behind the Mask is Back!

Ed & Lorraine Warren Continue to Find Spirits Everywhere They Look

Thrills, Chills & Laughs: The Saw Is Family

The argument over whether Ridley Scott’s original “Alien” is science fiction or horror could also be applied to its sequel. But ultimately, it doesn’t really matter, because James Cameron’s blockbuster sequel is a beautiful example of both genres – scary, action-packed, and futuristic. If the first “Alien” emphasizes isolation and fear, then “Aliens” underlines the hopelessness humanity feels against the Xenomorphs as opponents. Heck, Hudson says as much himself: it’s “game over” for almost everyone in “Aliens.” The audience, of course, reaps the cinematic rewards of this relentless, high-octane thrill ride.