5 Sci-Fi Movie Sequels Better Than The Originals

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It’s unusual for a sequel to be better than the original movie, but it does happen. Many film fans believe The Godfather Part II is even better than The Godfather, and The Dark Knight surpasses Batman Begins. Similarly, Spider-Man 2 is often considered superior to the first Spider-Man film. The horror genre also has examples like Evil Dead II being an improvement over The Evil Dead, and Bride of Frankenstein being better than Frankenstein. Some even prefer Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter over the original Friday the 13th. But what about science fiction? There are several sci-fi movies that manage to outdo their predecessors, though in some cases, the sequel is nearly as good as the first rather than clearly better.

This list focuses on true science fiction films and doesn’t include movies that lean more towards action, adventure, or fantasy, such as The Road Warrior and Mad Max: Fury Road. Superhero films like X2: X-Men United and Spider-Man 2 are also excluded. The sci-fi sequels listed below are some of the best, though this isn’t an exhaustive list of all great examples.

5) Terminator 2: Judgment Day

As a huge fan, I honestly don’t think any sequel has ever improved on its original like Terminator 2: Judgment Day did. Taking the terrifying, relentless T-800 from the first Terminator and reimagining him as a protector? It was brilliant! And after how amazing the first film was, the pressure must have been incredible, but Judgment Day didn’t just meet expectations, it blew them away. It was a truly superior film in every way.

Sarah and the T-800 are compelling characters, young John Connor delivers a memorable performance, and the T-1000 is undeniably one of cinema’s most recognizable villains. Despite being a long movie, it’s a fast-paced and exciting experience thanks to its thrilling action and characters you genuinely care about—with the exception of the villainous T-1000.

Stream Terminator 2: Judgment Day on Paramount+.

4) Prey

While Prey is actually a prequel, it was released long after the original Predator, so we’re including it in the discussion. Many fans still consider the first Predator movie the best, but Dan Trachtenberg’s Prey is remarkably good and gives the original a strong run for its money.

As a critic, I was thrilled to see Predator: Killer of Killers build on the incredible success of Prey. It’s clear now that Prey wasn’t just a lucky break for the franchise – it was the start of something truly special, and potentially the most exciting period in Predator‘s history. Prey isn’t just good; it’s a modern classic, boasting stunning visuals, a surprisingly complex protagonist, and a career-best performance from Amber Midthunder. Seriously, she’s phenomenal.

Stream Prey on Hulu.

3) Tron: Legacy

While many still love the first Tron movie, Tron: Legacy is widely considered the strongest film in the series. Aside from the digitally altered appearance of Jeff Bridges, the movie is visually impressive, creatively bold, and a respectful homage to the original.

Several aspects of Legacy really stand out. Jeff Bridges is clearly enjoying his dual performance, Garrett Hedlund’s Sam Flynn is a surprisingly strong lead character, and Olivia Wilde rightfully became a star thanks to this film. While it didn’t make much money when it came out in 2010, it was a truly memorable theatrical experience and is far more enjoyable than Tron: Ares.

Stream Tron: Legacy on Disney+.

2) Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back successfully builds on the amazing world established in the first film. It’s remarkable how it manages to expand so much without feeling overwhelming – it feels perfectly balanced and breathes easily.

I’ve always loved A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, and honestly, it’s hard to imagine either one being any better. But what really struck me about this film is how much bigger it feels, while still keeping the focus on Han, Luke, and Leia’s personal journeys. And then there’s Yoda! Bringing a puppet to life and making him feel so real and instantly endearing? That’s just incredible filmmaking.

Stream Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back on Disney+.

1) Godzilla vs. Kong

Godzilla vs. Kong was a much-needed box office hit for the Monsterverse, especially after the ambitious Godzilla: King of the Monsters didn’t perform as well in 2019. It’s impressive that Adam Wingard’s film earned more at the box office than the previous installment, considering it came out during peak COVID-19 concerns and was available to stream on HBO Max at the same time.

Despite the human characters still being somewhat weak, Godzilla vs. Kong is by far the most fun movie in the whole Monsterverse series. The fight scenes are exactly what fans want, the elaborate Hollow Earth setting is incredibly captivating, and director Adam Wingard clearly knew what the movie needed. He also did a fantastic job with Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, so it’s disappointing to hear he won’t be directing Godzilla x Kong: Supernova.

Stream Godzilla vs. Kong on tru TV.

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2025-10-27 17:16