King Sequels You Won’t Regret Watching!

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Over time, Stephen King’s movies haven’t generally produced the best sequels, but there are some spin-offs that are worth checking out. Initially, it was evident to Hollywood that Stephen King’s top-selling books would make great movies. His first novel, “Carrie,” was transformed into a blockbuster film, solidifying him as the new “Master of Horror.” As expected, this formula was repeated frequently up until today, and King’s vast literary contributions have resulted in numerous horror classics on the big screen.

Apart from numerous mini-series on TV that have been successful, Stephen King’s novels often shine as individual tales. Yet, this hasn’t deterred Hollywood from attempting to extract the maximum potential from his horror ideas, leading to a multitude of sequels based on adaptations of King’s books. Some of King’s works offer expansive worlds for exploration, while others are conclusive in nature. While most are inferior to their originals, there are several Stephen King movie sequels that ardent horror enthusiasts might find worth watching.

10. Children Of The Corn: Revelation (2001)

The Seventh Film In The Series Scores Points For Trying Something New

The seventh movie adaptation of “Children of the Corn,” titled “Revelation,” has received a disappointing 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this poor reception, it’s worth noting that the film attempts to introduce something fresh to the overused Children of the Corn concept. The film “Revelation” carries an intriguing air reminiscent of the original story, though it may not quite measure up.

In the seventh film, the idea of frightening kids was excessively utilized, so the eighth installment, titled Revelation, introduces fresh twists to the supernatural elements. A powerful portrayal by character actor Michael Ironside enhances the horror genre’s authenticity, and it surpasses many of the other Children of the Corn sequels, reinventions, and adaptations in terms of watchability.

9. Creepshow 2 (1987)

Stephen King Wasn’t Involved With The Second Anthology

Following the success of the anthology horror film “Creepshow”, its sequel seemed to take a step back in quality. Although the stories are based on Stephen King’s works, the author himself didn’t contribute to the movie’s creation. Consequently, the vignettes in the sequel come across as scraps from the original film and lack a polished, finalized feel.

Despite being a follow-up to “Creepshow,” it’s still worth giving a watch since there are some noteworthy moments. For instance, “The Hitchhiker” may seem like a common horror trope borrowed from shows like “The Twilight Zone,” but it manages to be genuinely chilling on its own merit. Interestingly, the wraparound story in the sequel stands out as the most impressive aspect, offering a compelling message about how comic books have faced unfair criticism and prejudice throughout history.

8. Children of the Corn 666: Isaac’s Return (1999)

The Horror Series Returns To Its Roots

As a cinephile delving into the intricate world of Stephen King movie sequels, I must admit that one common pitfall is their tendency to veer away from the essence of the original film. However, “Children of the Corn 666: Isaac’s Return” bucked this trend remarkably well by weaving a tangible connection to the source material through its central character – none other than Isaac himself.

John Franklin once again takes on the character of Isaac, delivering another outstanding performance in the direct-to-video sequel. He is accompanied by seasoned stars such as Nancy Allen and Stacy Keach. The film, titled “Isaac’s Return”, boasts a wider scope than any other installment in the “Children of the Corn” series.

7. Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace (1996)

Stephen King Disowned The Original Movie

The movie “Lawnmower Man” is known for being one of Stephen King’s most contentious adaptations due to its significant departure from the original story, leading King to take legal action against the production. Despite this controversy, the film was commercially successful enough to spark a sequel, giving birth to “Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace.” Unfortunately, only one actor from the original cast reprised their role, and it wasn’t Pierce Brosnan, who had become a megastar by that time.

Just as with the previous installment, “Beyond Cyberspace” isn’t connected to the King tale, but rather, it stands strong on its own as an entertaining movie. Matt Frewer delivers a captivating portrayal that overpowers the film’s somewhat cheesy dialogue, and visually, it surpasses the original’s rather goofy CGI effects.

6. The Mangler 2 (2002)

The Sequel Adds More Mechanical Menaces

“One of Stephen King’s most peculiar adaptations is ‘The Mangler.’ It transforms one of his quirkiest short stories into a feature film. The 2002 sequel, ‘The Mangler 2,’ appears to capitalize on the title and seems like it was developed from a spec script that could be traced back to the original King adaptation.

Rather than just one lethal device, the gadgets at a stringent boarding school become animate, and the sequel, titled “The Mangler 2”, gains marks for escalating the tension. Horror icon Lance Henriksen lends his skilled performance to this direct-to-video sequel. While its link to King is slim, the practical effects in “The Mangler 2” are impressive for a movie of its scale.

This version maintains the original’s essence while being more accessible and easier to read.

5. Sometimes They Come Back…Again (1996)

The Sequel Is Essentially A Remake Of The Original

Sometimes Sequels can feel tiresome when they simply replicate the formula of their predecessor, but “Sometimes They Come Back…Again” stands out as it seems more like a retelling rather than a continuation. The 1991 film, “Sometimes They Come Back,” may be a lesser-known work in Stephen King’s television movie catalog, yet its sequel remains an intriguing watch.

Instead of simply adjusting King’s plot elements, the novel “Sometimes They Come Back…Again” captivates readers due to its unique twists. The author isn’t known for understated storytelling; instead, this work brims with outrageous and exaggerated ideas that verge on parody. Although it may not be terrifying, the less-known sequel is never dull.

4. Children Of The Corn II: The Final Sacrifice (1992)

A King Sequel That Was Actually Released Theatrically

Almost a decade following the initial release, “Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice” is an uncommon King follow-up that received a theatrical screening. With modest earnings at the box office, this sequel continues directly from the first film’s events and follows the mischievous children with malevolent intent as they move to a new town, providing another opportunity for chaos.

The original Children of the Corn movies include:

Movie Release Year Rotten Tomatoes Score
Children of the Corn 1984 38%
Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice 1992 30%
Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest 1995 26%
Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering 1996 25%
Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror 1998 14%
Children of the Corn 666: Isaac’s Return 1999 0%
Children of the Corn: Revelation 2001 0%
Children of the Corn: Genesis 2011 11%
Children of the Corn: Runaway 2018 12%

In a more simplified and natural manner, the original budget was wisely spent compared to any of its straight-to-video follow-ups, and “The Final Sacrifice” offers several intelligent moments. Unfortunately, this sequel arrived too late in time, and it undermines the supernatural aspects, making the overall experience less engaging. But if there was ever a Children of the Corn sequel that deserved to exist, “The Final Sacrifice” is certainly that film.

3. The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999)

An Unusual Sequel With Some New Ideas

Stephen King’s debut novel and film adaption were Carrie, however it wasn’t until 1999 that someone came up with an idea for a sequel. The storyline of The Rage: Carrie 2 focuses on Carrie’s younger half-sister, Rachel, as she discovers her telekinetic abilities and uses them to retaliate against the bullies in her school. Initially, this script was an entirely new concept, but it was later altered to align with the iconic ’70s movie.

In essence, “The Rage” seems to blend elements of a sequel and a remake, given its connection to previous adaptations such as “Carrie.” A traditional sequel might be challenging due to multiple prior iterations, but “The Rage” introduces fresh dimensions to the psychokinetic abilities. Moreover, Amy Irving reprises her role as Sue Snell. The telekinetic scenes alone make it a must-see, and the film serves as a snapshot of late ’90s horror cinema aesthetics.

2. A Return To Salem’s Lot (1987)

Larry Cohen Made Salem’s Lot Funny In This Oddball Sequel

In contrast to many Stephen King movie sequels appearing as mere money-making schemes, Larry Cohen’s A Return to Salem’s Lot was clearly a passionate project. Released in theaters (interestingly, following the original’s TV premiere), the sequel follows a father and son who revisit the title town, discovering it has become a haven for ancient vampires. Extending upon the initial plot is an inspired move, but Cohen added another layer by turning it into a comedic tale.

The vampires underwent a minor facelift, and the movie predominantly delves into their culture, attempting to understand its adaptation during the tail-end of the 20th century. This approach significantly deviates from Stephen King’s gothic horror narrative and Tobe Hooper’s TV adaptation, but “A Return to Salem’s Lot” offers a playful blend of horror and comedy. The humor in this film is distinctly Larry Cohen’s style.

1. Pet Sematary Two (1992)

An Oft-Forgotten Stephen King Sequel

The original film adaptation of “Pet Sematary” holds a significant position in Stephen King’s collection of works, but it falls short compared to the exceptional novel. Unfortunately, the follow-up titled “Pet Sematary Two” received little attention even upon its release, despite being one of King’s more notable sequels. This second installment unfolds after the events depicted in the first film and centers around a teenage boy who employs the cursed burial ground to resurrect his recently-deceased mother.

The original film’s nuances are discarded for wild, intense suspense in the movie Pet Sematary Two. Despite being a brutal and violent film, it manages to stand out from similar adaptations by delving deeper into the mythology and posing intriguing questions. Although not a great film by any means, watching Pet Sematary Two is worthwhile due to its exploration of “what if?” – a rarity among Stephen King sequels.

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2025-05-23 20:32