Top 10 Comedy Sequels That Are Even Funnier Than the First Movie

While director Tim Miller, who helmed the first “Deadpool,” was no slouch, “John Wick” filmmaker David Leitch amped up not only the action, but the comedy, too. More snark… more mouthing off… yeah, this is a “Deadpool” movie. With the stakes (and budget) even higher after the runaway success of the first film, “Deadpool 2” is even more comfortable skewering contemporary superhero movies like “Scream” did slasher movies before it. Ryan Reynolds is clearly having the time of his life playing the beloved Merc with a Mouth, and Josh Brolin makes for a perfect no-nonsense foil to his antics.

Many sequels learn the hard way that bigger is not always better. However, bigger is definitely better when it comes to the “Harold & Kumar” franchise’s outlandish comedic stylings. Raunchy and offensive to the point of sheer absurdity, “Guantanamo Bay” is an extremely-of-its-time stoner comedy for the ages, proving that its titular duo were much more than just a modern-day, pale imitation of Cheech & Chong. We can’t think of too many movies in which the climactic scene is our heroes, uh, enjoying some greenery with the then-current President of the United States… and encouraging him to confront his own daddy issues. Moving stuff.

There’s simply no denying that Kevin Smith’s landmark 1994 indie comedy “Clerks” is a genuine classic of indie cinema with plenty of raunchy laughs that hold up to this day. That having been said, the director’s decade-in-the-making follow-up benefits from the dramatic heft of the cinematic universe surrounding it, lending it a certain thoughtfulness and poignance that it might not have earned otherwise. More importantly, though, it goes for bigger swings, edgier jokes, and… definitely more interesting targets. Smith’s streak of juvenile silliness shines through in perhaps the clearest, most focused way it ever has, and its cast — particularly View Askew newcomer Rosario Dawson — was born to gleefully deliver his characteristic hard-R dialogue.

The sequel to 2001’s smash hit animated fantasy comedy is the rare sequel that manages to please just about everyone. Warmly received by critics and audiences alike, it was a then-rare film that grossed nearly $1 billion — a genuine cultural phenomenon. Oh yeah, and it also competed for the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. The filmmakers at DreamWorks accomplished all of this by doing what the best sequels do: they embraced fresh ideas and new characters, while deepening the world that viewers had fallen in love with the first time around. Thanks to its stronger sense of identity, its sense of humor is also more clearly defined — like a certain ogre, it has layers. Like an onion.

Chevy Chase’s beleaguered Griswold clan somehow manages to ratchet the awkwardness up just in time for the holidays. Whereas the first two “Vacation” films found the Griswolds hitting multiple locations, “Christmas Vacation” has the good sense to see what happens when you stick the family in one location. Oh, and it’s not just Clark, Ellen, Rusty, and Audrey: it’s the entire extended Griswold family, too. We think this might be the exact dictionary definition of a pressure cooker? Wildly inspired setpieces, cranked-up madcap energy, and a go-for-broke comedic approach make this a Christmas to remember.

Was two Mike Myerses not enough for you? Okay, well, how about three? Still no? Well, if you’re satisfied with four Mike Myerses, then “Goldmember” is the James Bond-spoofing, time travel-abusing threequel for you. In all seriousness, while the first two “Powers” films are inarguably stone-cold comedy classics, “Goldmember” represents the series going out on a low-brow high. Myers fully commits to each of his comic creations, especially the, uh… we’ll say, off-putting titular character. A now-old-school, cameo-laden, Hollywood extravaganza at its grooviest, “Goldmember” has audiences clamoring for more Austin even to this day.

The 1984 comedy horror flick “Gremlins” became a sleeper hit, grossing well over $200 million on a mere $11 million budget. So, naturally, Warner Bros. wanted a sequel! However, it stalled for years while the studio and director Joe Dante grappled over the follow-up’s creative direction, with Dante even walking out on the film before Warner Bros. made him an offer that… well, you know. Granted complete creative control, Dante made “Gremlins 2” a totally left-field blast of fourth-wall breaking, pop culture-referencing that almost completely eschews the tone and style of the first film. It’s no wonder, then, that Dante himself has since described “The New Batch” as “one of the more unconventional studio pictures, ever.”

For the sake of “Values” director Barry Sonnenfeld: give it a chance, will ya? In 2021, Sonnenfeld shared that he felt the film had underperformed at the time of its release due to being failed by its marketing, which promised “more of the same” — this very much turned out not to be the case. The end result was darker, weirder, and more alienating to wide audiences than the first film, which maintained a light tone despite its dark appearance. With that in mind, history has since been kind to “Addams Family Values,” and modern-day audiences can surely appreciate its ahead-of-its-time edginess and willingness to “go there,” at least more so than the first film had.

We swear we didn’t place this sequel to “21 Jump Street” at #2 as a joke. It’s really just that good! Even at the time of its release, Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s film was widely recognized as not only matching, but surpassing their franchise’s first installment. To quote the Toronto Star’s review, “If it seemed Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill couldn't possibly exceed their over-the-top buddy cop antics of 21 Jump Street, you lost that bet.” The goofy, wink-wink tone of “21” is amplified here, peppering in hilarious meta-commentary about how comedy sequels supposedly never work. It probably goes without saying that this one does.

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

“Hot Shots! Part Deux” (1993)
Lovingly Ribbing Over-the-Top ‘80s Action Movies

“Horrible Bosses 2” (2014)
This Dark Comedy Is Bolstered By Its Even More Star-Studded Cast

“Scary Movie 2” (2001)
The Wayans Family Goes Big, Not Home

Sure, everyone knows that director Paul King’s “Paddington” films are total, heart-warming tear-jerkers. But it’s also important to remember the distinctive, zany streak of comedy that runs through them. In short? They’re hilarious! This crime caper finds the ever-kind, ever-polite bear wrongly accused of a dastardly deed that he didn’t commit. In reality, Paddington has been framed by has-been actor-slash-cat burglar Phoenix Buchanan, played to comic perfection by a never-better Hugh Grant. To reiterate, this is a movie in which a little talking bear goes to prison and ends up running the place. You’ll be crying, yes, but also of laughter.

What’s your favorite funny follow-up? Did it make it to our list? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!