Sequels are tough. They’re the sophomore album of the movie game, but there are always a few that pull themselves from the long list of shark jumpers to rival their namesake. Here’s our current, but ever-changing, list of most excellent movie sequels of all time. For more movie lists and antics with Rachel & Corey check out the official Sidewalk Podcast, SIDETALKS, via Soundcloud (https://soundcloud.com/sidetalkspodcast) or wherever you get your podcasts.
#10
BEFORE SUNSET (2004, directed by Richard Linklater)
When we left Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy’s wistful 20-somethings at the end of 1995’s BEFORE SUNRISE, they had made plans to meet again and pursue their whirlwind romance. When we catch up with them nine years later in its unlikely sequel, the two are more worldly, complicated and weighed by the ramifications of their decisions. In total, Linklater’s three “Before” films are among the best depictions of messy modern romance in all its contradictions; this is the best one.
- Corey
#9
THE DECLINE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION PART II: THE METAL YEARS (1988, directed by Penelope Spheeris)
To be fair, it’s more of a continuation than a sequel, but Part II is right there in the title and the opportunity to include this film on a list can’t be resisted. THE METAL YEARS chronicles the heavy metal scene in Los Angeles between 1987 and 1988 and features an ocean of amazing, stylish interviews. The documentary opens with fog machine intensity, screaming fans, power chords and Paul Stanley being interviewed while lying in bed with 4 women. It’s uphill from there.
- Rachel
#8
SPIDERMAN 2 (2004, directed by Sam Raimi)
Long before the current multiversal glut of Marvel superhero entertainment — and long before they all felt obligatory and increasingly artless — Sam Raimi made a big, bold, earnest and exciting sequel to his 2002 smash-hit webslinging adventure. Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker struggles with life, love and a psychotic scientist who has accidentally grafted tentacles to his spine. It set the bar that all future Spider-Men — and most other superhero films, for that matter — have struggled to clear.
- Corey
#7
TEXASVILLE (1990, directed by Peter Bogdanovich)
This one makes the list mostly because you’re not going to find it on any list, anywhere, ever. While it doesn’t come anywhere near the mastery of its origin film, THE LAST PICTURE SHOW, it’s a lot of fun (and sometimes not-so-fun) to see where Duane, Jacy and Sunny ended up… in full color. Plus, it’s late 80s’ Texas with its hot tubs, McMansions, oil rigs, wordy t-shirts and middle-of-nowhere Dairy Queen. The MVP isn’t actually a returning cast member (though it’s an amazing cast), but the super-fun-to-watch Annie Potts.
- Rachel
#6
NYMPHOMANIAC: VOL II (2013, directed by Lars von Trier)
It’s no Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2…NYMPHOMANIAC: VOL II is the second and final chapter of its series, but the third and last installment of von Trier’s (unofficially titled) “Depression Trilogy” (following ANTICHRIST and MELANCHOLIA). As is typical of von Trier, the film is highly provocative, frequently gross and thoroughly unpleasant. It’s also brilliant and ingenious. Warning: the trailer and even the poster are NSFW.
Note: Corey does not stand behind this choice.
- Rachel
#5
THE GODFATHER PART II (1974, directed by Francis Ford Coppola)
Every best-sequels-of-all-time list is obligated to feature THE GODFATHER PART II because the truth is, it’s just that good and worthy of inclusion. Francis Ford Coppola deepened the saga of the Corleone family by jumping back in time to show up the development of young Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro) from penniless immigrant to crime boss, while jumping forward to show how his son Michael (Al Pacino) gained the world — but lost his soul. A masterpiece.
- Corey
#4
SCREAM 2 (1997, directed by Wes Craven)
Perhaps the most meta of the very meta series, two students are murdered by a copycat killer at a sneak preview screening of "Stab," a movie based on the events from the first film. Clever, inventive and the origin of “sequels suck” jokes in sequels. Plus, it’s really, really fun.
- Rachel
#3
THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980, directed by Irvin Kershner)
How do you follow up one of the biggest movies of all time? You split up your heroes, run them through the ringer, throw in one shocking twist, and introduce more new characters and worlds than you can fill a 1980s toybox with. THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK not only lives up to 1977’s original STAR WARS, most would agree it surpasses it, with one vividly realized, visually spectacular set piece after another.
- Corey
#2
GREMLINS 2: THE NEW BATCH (1990, directed by Joe Dante)
Perhaps the wildest film on this list, GREMLINS 2 is ridiculous, juvenile, unapologetically silly and not to be missed! According to Rotten Tomatoes reviewer, Mark H, the film is “one of the worst movies ever made” and anonymous calls it, “so freakin' stupid.” Required viewing!
- Rachel
#1
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD (2015, directed by George Miller)
Landing at #1 on the list not just because it’s a great darn sequel, but because it’s the only film that can be found on BOTH Rachel and Corey’s lists! Nearly 20 years after “Mad Max” Rockatinsky faced off against Tina Turner in the Thunderdome, George Miller returned to his dystopian sci-fi action franchise with its wildest, most spectacular entry. Tom Hardy plays the title character in this stunt-heavy chase movie for the ages, loaded with “how’d they do that” stunts and an all-time great heroine in Charlize Theron’s Furiosa.
- Corey (and Rachel)
