7 Horror Movie Sequels That Took Over 10 Years To Happen & Were Worth the Wait

Afterlife” was a welcome return after a long wait of 32 years from “Ghostbusters II,” but it doesn’t count in this context because it was only five years after the 2016 reboot by Paul Feig. To fit our criteria, the audience should not have seen a film from the franchise for at least ten years, regardless of whether it belongs to the main storyline or not.

Movies like Halloween (2018), Freddy vs. Jason, Curse of Chucky, and Alien: Romulus were almost but not quite released within nine years following their respective predecessors – Halloween II, Wes Craven’s New Nightmare, Seed of Chucky, and Alien: Covenant. Since we’re focusing on non-remakes, no House of Wax is included in this list.

7) Doctor Sleep

As a passionate cinephile delving into the realm of horror, I found myself captivated by Doctor Sleep’s chilling narrative that graced our screens in 2019. In this year, it shared the limelight with two other horrors: It Chapter Two and Pet Sematary. Interestingly enough, despite Doctor Sleep offering a riveting continuation of the legendary horror masterpiece The Shining, it seemed to underperform compared to its contemporaries. This unexpected outcome is indeed intriguing, given the enduring legacy of Stanley Kubrick’s iconic film.

The movie “Doctor Sleep,” based on Stephen King’s novel, might not have been possible due to the book’s vastness and challenging adaptation. As a film, it had a daunting task of continuing the narrative established in Stanley Kubrick’s classic, “The Shining.” However, while “Doctor Sleep” is not identical to its predecessor, neither is King’s book. Both the book and the movie are unique sequels, particularly when it comes to the True Knot cultists, and their differences make them effective. Rarely do either the book or the film feel like they’re trying to mimic the successful elements from the original story. Yet, they manage to maintain the “shine” element that connects both stories. The movie effectively includes all of the book’s strongest aspects while omitting anything that would have made it lengthy. Moreover, the performances by Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson, and Cliff Curtis, along with Mike Flanagan’s direction, are solid and assured.

6) The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2

The Cannon Group was often criticized for producing a significant number of mediocre films, earning them a reputation for creating low-budget, B-movie titles like “Missing in Action” and “American Ninja”. However, on occasion, the company would release movies that were quite impactful, such as Morgan Freeman’s breakout performance in “Street Smart”. “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2” can be categorized as sitting somewhere between those two extremes.

After a decade-long absence, few anticipated Tobe Hooper’s return to the realm of Leatherface, but he surprised us all by delivering a sequel that was more unexpected than his comeback itself. Instead of following up one of the scariest, most eerie movies ever with another terrifying installment, Hooper opted for something quite unexpected – a comedy. Yes, you heard it right, a darkly humorous tale revolving around a family of ruthless cannibals. The poster even made a witty reference to ‘The Breakfast Club’. While it excelled as a black comedy, thanks largely to Dennis Hopper’s performance, it also effectively maintained its horror elements. The opening scene where Leatherface murders two teenagers on a phone call, and later when he and “Chop Top” storm the radio station to retrieve the incriminating tape, are as nerve-wracking as any moments in the original film. As for “Stretch” and “Chop Top,” both Caroline Williams and Bill Moseley delivered stellar performances, cementing their status as horror icons.

Stream The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 on Prime Video.

5) Candyman (2021)

After taking charge of the less-acclaimed MCU film “The Marvels”, Nia DaCosta subsequently led another series with the movie “Candyman”. Initially, this film received appreciation upon its release, but that recognition soon faded. It’s somewhat puzzling why this occurred, considering it is undeniably the superior sequel to the original.

As a cinema enthusiast, I must say this film exceeded all expectations. It’s deeply contemplative, thought-provoking, superbly acted, and builds upon the franchise in a way that feels organic rather than jarring. The tone is a beautiful balance between staying true to the original and offering something fresh and unique.

Not only does it showcase the immense talents of Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Teyonah Parris, but it also serves as a testament to their versatility. And let’s not forget the poignant cameo by the late, great Tony Todd, marking his final performance as one of the most iconic characters of his career. It was truly a cinematic experience that left me in awe!

Stream Candyman (2021) on Peacock.

4) The Exorcist III

Revisiting a horrifying masterpiece from the ’70s was no simple feat, yet Exorcist II: The Heretic failed to deliver with such intensity that it seemed as if a heavy object had crashed through the floorboards, causing a tremor throughout the house. In essence, it’s one of the most disjointed, tedious, and unnervingly unscary horror films ever made.

Subsequently, 17 years following “The Exorcist” and 13 years after “The Heretic,” William Peter Blatty, the author behind the original novel, took on the task of adapting his sequel novel, “Legion.” Interestingly, “Legion” proved to be a particularly challenging work for adaptation. With no one more suited for the job than Blatty himself, he masterfully delivered an exceptional adaptation. He wasn’t the only talented individual involved, as George C. Scott (replacing Lee J. Cobb in his portrayal of Lt. William F. Kinderman) and Brad Dourif excelled in their respective roles.

Of significance is that this film exists in two distinct versions, with the cinematic cut featuring an unessential exorcism scene, yet both versions are highly recommended for viewing. Additionally, it boasts a scene that could lay claim to being the scariest jump scare ever captured on film.

Stream The Exorcist III on Prime Video.

3) Psycho II

For approximately two decades, there was an overwhelming curiosity among movie-goers about a follow-up to Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho”. While it might not be accurate to claim that the delayed release made “Psycho II” worth the long wait for everyone, for those who had pondered over Norman Bates’ return after seeing him stare into the camera at the end of the original film, “Psycho II” certainly delivered on their anticipation.

In simpler terms, the first “Psycho” film, created by Hitchcock, was a standalone masterpiece with a complete narrative, making the quality of its sequel, “Psycho II,” quite unexpected. Instead of focusing on excessive violence and gore, it delves deeper into character development, much like the original. If it had opted for more killings, more bloodshed, or sensationalism, it would have disregarded the legacy of Hitchcock’s film. However, “Psycho II” largely revolves around Anthony Perkins’ performance as Norman Bates, making us empathize with him and even fear for his safety at times. The story unfolds around a man who, after being incarcerated due to his actions, is released into a world that is wary of him. Meg Tilly delivers an impressive supporting role, and the film features a compelling third-act twist. As such, “Psycho II” demonstrates how some horror sequels aim to expand stories in a thoughtful and satisfying manner, rather than merely as a money-making venture.

Stream Psycho II on IndieFlix.

2) Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

It’s been 36 years since the first installment, and talk of a new “Beetlejuice” movie felt more like a distant dream than a realistic possibility. This idea seemed even less likely given that Tim Burton had only directed one sequel during his career, which was “Batman Returns” in 1992. At the time, this film was considered so dark that it essentially led to him being removed from the franchise.

After a period in cinematic history, legacy sequels demonstrated they could be financially successful and occasionally excellent. Without a doubt, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” falls into this category, achieving its goal by bringing back Tim Burton, Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara. It seems as though they never skipped a beat. The film also wisely keeps the title character to a minimal screen presence (he has roughly the same screen time in the sequel as he did in the original). However, its real trump card is the introduction of Jenna Ortega, who was destined to shine in Burton productions.

Stream Beetlejuice Beetlejuice on Netflix.

1) Scream (2022)

The sequel to Scream, titled Scream 2, graced the cinemas just a year following the initial film’s success, and it was well-received. However, Scream 3, which came out three years later, fell short of expectations. The fourth installment, Scream 4, made its appearance 11 years after that, and given its lackluster performance, it appeared as though the franchise might have reached its end.

After a 11-year gap, the series received fresh energy once again, thanks to the dynamic duo of directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, who were previously mentioned. While Scream 4 is often overlooked in the slasher genre, it doesn’t compare to Radio Silence’s 2022 reboot. The 2022 version of Scream, often referred to as a reboot-quel, was the revamp that the franchise needed and one that was definitely worth the long wait.

Stream Scream (2022) on Hulu.

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2025-09-09 01:44