3 Overlooked Movie Sequels You Forgot Were Awesome

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Movie sequels often generate a lot of excitement, but some truly great follow-up films don’t get the attention they deserve. While iconic sequels like *Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back* (1980), *The Dark Knight* (2008), and *Dune: Part Two* (2024) were even more successful than the originals, many other films struggle to recapture the magic. Sometimes these sequels receive bad reviews, and other times they simply don’t live up to high expectations. As a result, plenty of underrated sequels deserve another look from viewers who may have forgotten about them or never seen them in the first place.

There are three amazing movie sequels that don’t get nearly enough attention. While they’ve largely been forgotten, these films really deserve to be seen and appreciated.

3) Psycho II (1983)

Alfred Hitchcock’s *Psycho* (1960) is still considered a classic horror film, but its sequel, *Psycho II*, doesn’t get nearly as much attention. While *Psycho II*, directed by Richard Franklin, isn’t quite as good as the original, it offers a gripping story about Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) and the frightening experiences he has after leaving a mental institution. Anthony Perkins again gives a brilliant performance as Bates, delving even deeper into the character’s complicated psyche.

While not as instantly famous for its scares as the original *Psycho* – think the shower scene and the reveal of Norman Bates’s mother – *Psycho II* still delivers plenty of chilling deaths and unsettling moments. The sequel effectively resolves the unanswered questions from the first film and builds a consistently tense atmosphere. *Psycho* remains a horror classic, often overshadowing *Psycho II*, which doesn’t get the credit it deserves. Nevertheless, *Psycho II* is a worthwhile watch for horror fans.

2) 28 Weeks Later (2007)

The horror film *28 Days Later* (2002) is a classic, and the recent sequel, *28 Years Later* (2025), is also receiving excellent reviews. However, the second film in the series, *28 Weeks Later*, doesn’t get nearly as much attention. A change in directors – from Danny Boyle to Juan Carlos Fresnadillo – and its weaker ties to the original *28 Days Later* likely contribute to why *28 Weeks Later* is the least talked about film in the series.

Despite being a sequel, *28 Weeks Later* actually surpasses the original film. Its outbreak is contained to London, creating a more intense and terrifying experience. The scenes of infected people attacking survivors are genuinely frightening, and the movie does a great job of making you care about the characters, so their deaths feel truly impactful. *28 Weeks Later* is a fantastic, pulse-pounding, and often disturbing zombie film that, unfortunately, hasn’t remained as popular as it deserves. While it’s often overlooked after the success of *28 Years Later*, it’s a thrilling movie that deserves recognition.

1) 2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984)

Since its release, *2010: The Year We Make Contact* hasn’t received the same attention as Stanley Kubrick’s classic *2001: A Space Odyssey* (1968). While futuristic films often capture the public’s imagination, Peter Hyams’s *2010* is rarely discussed today – unlike its predecessor. The film follows American and Soviet astronauts on a mission to Jupiter to investigate the fate of the *Discovery* spacecraft and its HAL 9000 computer, setting off a compelling story connected to the events of *2001: A Space Odyssey*.

I really enjoyed the sequel, even though it wasn’t quite as mind-bending or deep as the first film. It’s visually stunning, and I found myself getting invested in the characters. The story kept me on the edge of my seat with a constant sense of mystery, and it actually expanded on some of the more complex ideas from the original. It’s a solid blend of politics, technology, and space exploration, and I think sci-fi fans should definitely check it out, even if it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the first movie.

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2025-10-16 23:43