Top 10 Movie Sequels That Are More Popular That the Original

Original: “First Blood” (1982)
The Rambo Franchise is known for its wild action sequences, exotic locations and high kill count. At the center is John Rambo, the macho hero who always saves the day in dramatic fashion. However, most of these hallmarks are notably absent in the first film. “First Blood” is a character-driven drama, following the Vietnam War veteran as he adjusts to life in a small town. While the movie does include some action sequences, Rambo operates alone, with a body count of one. Ultimately, he ends up in jail. It wasn’t until “Rambo: First Blood Part II” that the franchise fully embraced the signature style that came to define it. There were far more deaths, more explosions, and ultimately, more money at the box office.

Original: "Frankenstein" (1931)
Not only is this the oldest film on our list, but it was also the first horror movie sequel ever made. Released four years after the original, it picks up right where its predecessor left off. The film draws inspiration from a subplot in Mary Shelley’s original “Frankenstein” novel, but expands it into a largely original story. “Bride of Frankenstein” garnered praise for its technical achievements and character developments, both upon release and in the decades since. Many consider it to be one of the greatest sequels of all time and director James Whale’s masterpiece. In 2005, Time Magazine added it to its list of “All-Time 100 Movies,” going against its original review from the 1930s, and declaring it superior to the original.

Original: “Toy Story” (1995)
Pixar revolutionized animation with the release of the first “Toy Story” movie in 1995. Initially, producers wanted to make a direct-to-video sequel, but they soon recognized its potential as a theatrical release and shifted gears with just nine months left until the release date. What they came up with was a more emotionally complex and mature film whose characters dealt with deeper themes like the loss of friendship, overcoming adversity, and even mortality. To top it off, they still injected a lot of fun moments. While fans are split over what the best film in the series is, “Toy Story 2” has earned the top spot in the eyes of many critics, even if it may not have been the most profitable.

Original: "Friday the 13th" (1980)
When people think of “Friday the 13th,” the image of killer Jason Voorhees wearing a hockey mask most likely springs to mind. It’s easy to assume that this iconic costume was part of Jason’s look from the start, but it actually wasn’t. In the first film, the character only appears as a child in a dream sequence, with his mother doing all the killing. Then, in “Friday the 13th Part II”, Jason becomes the main antagonist, but he wears a hood. It wasn’t until “Friday the 13th Part III” that he donned the iconic mask after stealing it from one of his victims. Originally intended to conclude the trilogy, this film instead launched a franchise, giving it a key part of its iconography.

Original: "Puss in Boots" (2011)
When you wait over a decade to make a sequel, it can provide you with ample time to refine and enhance the project. That seemed to have been the case with 2022’s “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” a sequel to 2011’s “Puss in Boots” and an installment in the larger “Shrek” universe. Producers had begun planning this sequel only a year after the original, but several delays stalled progress, until it was revived in 2018. Upon its release four years later, critics praised “The Last Wish” for its strong character development, compelling themes, and exceptional voice acting. Given the advancements in animation techniques since, it’s no surprise this film was also lauded for its improved visual style.

Original: "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" (1979)
With the original series thriving in syndication and the box office success of films like “Star Wars,” bringing “Star Trek” to the big screen seemed like a logical next step. However, while “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” was a moderate success, it failed to meet studio expectations. The film’s slow pacing, lack of action sequences, and absence of a clear villain were some of the problems pointed out. In response, Paramount removed creative control from “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry and brought in director Nicholas Meyer, producer Harve Bennett[a], and writer Jack B. Sowards. Together, they delivered a fast-paced, action-filled crowd pleaser for less money. It reinvigorated interest in the franchise, as many found it closer to the original series in pacing and style.

Original: "The Godfather" (1972)
Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic mafia follow-up didn’t feature Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone, whose character died at the end of the first movie. But it did have a younger Vito, played in flashbacks by Robert De Niro. This approach allowed Coppola to expand the scope of the narrative into a full-blown Corleone family epic. That way, he could explore both the aftermath of the original story, with Al Pacino’s Michael Corleone running the family business, and events from decades earlier. This artistic vision, along with what many critics consider Pacino’s greatest performance, put it at least on par with, and for some, better than, the original. It was also the first sequel to ever win the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Original: "The Terminator" (1984)
Critical response to James Cameron’s first time-travelling cyborg story was respectable, and the film performed better at the box office than the studio had anticipated. It even held the number one spot for a few weeks. By contrast, its sequel is frequently referred to as the greatest action movie of all time and was the highest-grossing movie of 1991. The special effects in “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” were groundbreaking in the ‘90s, and they still remain influential over three decades later, often serving as a benchmark for many filmmakers. The movie also originated countless pop culture references and memes, while cementing the legacy of the “Terminator” franchise. While the original film is still solid, it is most memorable for the excellent sequel it spawned.

"Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope" (1977)
When George Lucas was making the first “Star Wars” movie, he didn’t expect to make another one, despite having 12 stories already thought out. To keep the possibility of a sequel alive, he left Darth Vader off the Death Star. The decision ultimately proved to be a wise one, as the massive success of the first movie provided Lucas and director Irvin Kershner with the resources to expand the universe in the sequel. They introduced new planets and now-iconic characters like Yoda and Lando, and ended the film on a dark note, signalling that the story was far from over. Many now consider “The Empire Strikes Back” not just the best film in the Original Trilogy, but the best “Star Wars” installment, period.

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

Because Waiting 26 Years to Follow Up Gave Tom Cruise His First Billion-Dollar Hit

This Sequel Garnered Critical Praise by Comedically Re-imagining the Original

Following Up a Small Indie with a Hollywood Budget & Stars Can Change the Reception

This Raised the Bar For Mature Comic Book Movies in the Pre-Nolan Era

Original: "Batman Begins" (2005)
Taking Christopher Nolan’s “Dark Knight Trilogy” as a whole, “Batman Begins,” establishes the darker, grittier tone of the series, and gets the ball rolling. Meanwhile, “The Dark Knight Rises” brings things to a resolution, tying up the trilogy’s overarching themes. These two films serve as the bookends to the centerpiece, or some would argue, masterpiece, that is “The Dark Knight.” This installment dives into the story’s dramatic and emotional core, with Batman having to choose between saving Bruce Wayne’s love and the city’s public hero. It also brings Gotham’s corruption to the forefront, causing the noble Harvey Dent to transform into Two-Face. Most notably, it features the late Heath Ledger’s chilling portrayal of The Joker, widely considered the best version of the iconic villain.