The Greatest Movie Sequel Ever Made Was Released 51 Years Ago Today

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Sequels often get a bad rap, but one released 51 years ago today stands out as a true masterpiece – it actually won an Oscar and is still considered one of the greatest films ever made. Sequels have been a part of cinema almost from the beginning, with the classic Universal Monster movies leading the way. Bride of Frankenstein famously surpassed the original, and history repeated itself 52 years ago when a Best Picture winner was followed by a sequel that also won an Oscar. Both films are now considered all-time greats.

Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 film, The Godfather, was a huge success at the Academy Awards, winning Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actor (Marlon Brando), and Best Adapted Screenplay. It received a total of seven nominations. Just two years later, in 1974, Coppola followed it up with The Godfather, Part II, widely considered one of the best sequels ever made. It premiered on December 20th.

The Godfather Part II Surpassed Even Its Predecessor

The Godfather is widely considered a cinematic masterpiece. The film centers on Vito Corleone, a powerful mafia boss played by Marlon Brando, and his three sons: Sonny, Michael, and Fredo. It depicts Vito’s leadership of his criminal organization, built on loyalty and a strict code of honor, and then follows his son Michael’s transformation into the new head of the family after the deaths of Vito and Sonny. The film is particularly known for showing Michael’s descent from a decorated war veteran and seemingly good man into a ruthless leader.

While The Godfather was fantastic, The Godfather Part II surpassed it. The film cleverly jumps between two time periods, showing young Vito Corleone’s climb to power—portrayed by Robert De Niro—and Michael taking control of the family business. It brilliantly contrasted how the two men became leaders, highlighting the differences between Vito’s honorable character and Michael’s descent into corruption. Like its predecessor, it was a massive success.

Although The Godfather Part II wasn’t initially a box office or critical success, its reputation has dramatically improved over time. Today, it boasts incredibly high scores – 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 97% on the Popcornmeter – indicating widespread critical and fan approval. Despite a lukewarm reception upon release, the film garnered nine Academy Award nominations and ultimately won six, including Best Picture and Best Director. It’s now considered one of the greatest sequels ever made, with wins also for Robert De Niro as Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Art Direction, and Best Original Dramatic Score.

The Godfather Part III Failed To Complete The Trilogy On Top

The first two Godfather films were critical and commercial successes, even winning Best Picture Oscars, and cemented the franchise’s legendary status. The original is still considered a landmark gangster film, and its sequel is widely regarded as the best follow-up movie ever made. However, it wasn’t until 16 years later that a third film was released, focusing on an aging Michael Corleone as his criminal empire began to fall apart. Unfortunately, The Godfather Part III didn’t live up to the incredibly high standards set by its predecessors.

While The Godfather Part III grossed more money than The Godfather Part II, it wasn’t considered as successful due to its significantly higher production cost. Critics also weren’t impressed, giving it a 66% rating on Rotten Tomatoes – the lowest of the three films. Many viewers and critics felt that Sophia Coppola’s performance didn’t measure up to the established cast. Overall, it disappointed fans of the original two movies. Despite the criticism, the film received seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and a Best Supporting Actor nod for Andy Garcia.

Despite initial criticism, there was hope for The Godfather Part III. Director Francis Ford Coppola felt the original theatrical release didn’t match his vision. In December 2020, on the film’s 30th anniversary, he released a revised version called The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone. This new cut, which altered the beginning and end, has helped to redeem the film as a fitting conclusion to the Godfather saga.

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2025-12-21 02:12