The 10 Best Sequels of the Last 10 Years

It’s clear that Hollywood churns out sequels more than any other type of movie. While they do produce numerous superhero films, many of these are actually sequels as well. This trend isn’t limited to horror movies, sci-fi movies, video game adaptations, or even comedies. If a film in any of those genres succeeds, the studios often follow it up with another, and another, and sometimes even eight more!

When individuals purchase a ticket for a follow-up film, they typically accept that it may not live up to expectations. Rarely do sequels equal or exceed the quality of the initial movie. However, there are exceptional instances where sequels truly shine, and those are the films we’re discussing today – the top ten movie sequels from the past decade.

From various realms of cinematic storytelling, these ten sequels hail – action, superheroes, sci-fi, sports, even a smidgen of comedies featuring exotic dancers as buddies (my personal favorite!). Regardless of their unique narratives, they all possess an eagerness to experiment. The screenwriters and directors behind these films didn’t merely wish to rehash the greatest hits from whatever movie sparked their imagination. Instead, they propelled their franchises into fresh territories with novel concepts, groundbreaking visual effects, captivating new characters, and intriguing plot twists – all while adding a touch of unexpected male stripping scenes in different settings.

It seems we can find common ground in saying that there’s perhaps an excessive number of sequels coming from Hollywood. Instead, we’d prefer to see the studios focus on creating fresh ideas and taking bold steps. However, since it appears they’re committed to franchise productions, let’s hope they aim for this caliber of quality instead.

The 10 Best Sequels of the Last 10 Years (2015-2024)

10. Magic Mike XXL (2015)

In my opinion, when compared side by side, the sequel, “XXL,” significantly outshines the original “Magic Mike.” By excluding certain characters, such as those portrayed by Alex Pettyfer and Matthew McConaughey, it dispenses with the tiresome drugs-and-greed narrative that hampered the latter half of “Magic Mike.” This decision also afforded more screen time to the other Kings of Tampa, who were previously relegated to minor roles. In this new iteration, they transform into a cohesive ensemble.

Unlike the first movie, which primarily revolved around the strip club business, this sequel is all about indulging in pleasure. A key improvement is the introduction of more dynamic female characters, who are no longer merely marks for the Kings to exploit. In stark contrast to the original film, these characters are not interested in making a profit; instead, they seek self-expression. They abandon typical stripper stereotypes in favor of performances and personas that reflect their true identities. The reprisal of “Pony” in “XXL,” for instance, is one of the most remarkable dance sequences of the century. Unlike his performance at Xquisite in the first film, Channing Tatum dances this time purely for the delight it brings him. Although there’s no live audience on stage, the movie spectators are certainly watching.

9. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

In the grand continuation of “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” this upcoming sequel introduces Miles Morales to Spider-Man 2099 and his group known as the “Spider Society.” These web-slingers aim to safeguard the multiverse from threats like the Spot, a new villain capable of opening interdimensional gateways on a whim. While “Into the Spider-Verse” was visually stunning, the sequel, titled “Across the Spider-Verse, promises an even more impressive and daring presentation. The world of Spider-Gwen resembles a living watercolor painting; Spider-Man India originates from a vibrant “Mumbattan” that swirls with hues of yellows and greens. However, the one potential drawback to “Across the Spider-Verse” is that it’s the first part of a two-part story, and at times, it feels like just that.

8. Jackass Forever (2022)

In the wildest sequel of the last decade, the masterminds behind our favorite dumb humor returned for another round of risky stunts and friendly jokes, featuring an unprecedented number of male frontal nudity scenes in a mainstream Hollywood movie. As they’ve reached their 40s and 50s, the Jackass crew might not be as agile as before, but they’re still hilarious! New additions like Rachel Wolfson and Sean “Poopies” McInerney held their own when it came to encountering scorpions or being drenched in unpleasant bodily substances. If this is the last Jackass film, they certainly ended on a high note. (It’s easy to achieve greatness right after an unexpected blow to the groin.)

7. John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum (2019)

The entirety of “John Wick: Chapter 3” is stunning, but the film’s initial 40 minutes, during which Keanu Reeves’ relentless assassin flees New York City (both physically by running, biking, and riding horses, and figuratively by brutally killing a man with a book), might just be the best uninterrupted cinematic experience of the past decade. John Wick, though excommunicated, will never cease to fill my heart with awe. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing more of him soon, at least on this list.

6. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

In a remarkable feat that left many fans intrigued, Blade Runner 2049 successfully continued the narrative of one of history’s cherished science-fiction tales without providing clear-cut answers to the enigmas that made the original so captivating. Director Denis Villeneuve masterfully expanded upon Ridley Scott’s vision of a desolate future, seamlessly blending advanced technology with the aesthetic charm of the original film. Moreover, Harrison Ford delivered an emotionally stirring performance, considered his finest in years, as Rick Deckard in Blade Runner 2049. This return by Ford seems to echo one of the film’s most profound themes: In even the darkest times, there is always a chance for redemption and good deeds.

5. John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

As a movie enthusiast, immersing myself in the thrilling journey of John Wick has never been more exhilarating than with Chapter 4. Instead of wrapping up the saga, it seems to have reached its pinnacle – quite literally so, as Keanu Reeves’ relentless John Wick battles his way up a colossal stairwell that culminates at Paris’ Sacré-Cœur church in the movie’s climax. With a runtime of three hours, packed with action sequences that could easily fill three movies, John Wick: Chapter 4 sees our titular character embarking on a global quest to put an end to his brutal conflict with the High Table. Reeves delivers yet again as a graceful and emotional anti-hero, this time accompanied by the series’ most formidable action cast to date, including Scott Adkins, Laurence Fishburne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, and particularly Donnie Yen, who plays the blind swordsman/assassin Caine. I can hardly imagine how they could surpass this masterpiece, but I eagerly await their attempts at it.

4. Mission: Impossible — Fallout (2018)

The movie “Fallout” combines the most thrilling elements from all the previous “Mission: Impossible” films into one package. It offers fast-paced action, sharp dialogues, mind-blowing visual effects, unexpected plot turns, complex character loyalties, and a hint of romantic tension between Ethan Hunt, Ilsa Faust, and his wife Julia. Tom Cruise performs helicopter flights and HALO jumps (not necessarily in that sequence). In fact, considering it’s Tom Cruise, it’s almost surprising he didn’t attempt to HALO jump onto a moving helicopter and then pilot it himself!

3. Creed (2015)

In this sequel-remake known as a “legacyquel”, Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa switches roles, becoming a mentor similar to Mickey, training a new main character: Adonis “Donnie” Creed, the son of Rocky’s late rival Apollo Creed. The outstanding first installment of this spin-off titled “Creed” features Michael B. Jordan as Donnie, who leaves behind a secure career in finance to pursue his dreams and uphold his father’s legacy by becoming a professional boxer himself.

Director and co-writer Ryan Coogler drew upon the deep history of the Rocky series to create a character study worthy of the original film, featuring the most skillfully directed and coordinated fights within this franchise. The Rocky series has always been about the power of perseverance, emphasizing that going the distance mattered more than winning. After many years, with “Creed“, the franchise once again reached its artistic pinnacle at the east entrance steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Arts.

2. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Stepping into the shoes of a film critic, let me share my thoughts: In the bustling era of the 2020s, it’s challenging to imagine a more non-essential film than a sequel to “Top Gun”. Yet, against all odds, director Joseph Kosinski and the indomitable Tom Cruise, as producer and star, managed to create a “Top Gun” sequel that was not just action-packed and engaging but remarkably resonant with our contemporary world. It may not delve into politics, but it certainly echoes the longing for visually stunning sequences that can only be experienced on a grand cinema screen. In this digital age, such a perspective could indeed be considered a bold, maverick stance.

1. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

The film “Mad Max: Fury Road” stands out as one of the best sequels from the past decade, if not the entire century, boasting incredible action sequences that are hard to beat. However, what truly sets it apart is its deeply spiritual and even Biblical undertones. It follows a journey reminiscent of the exodus from Sodom and Gomorrah, seeking a new paradise, guided by the strong-willed women, led by the legendary Imperator Furiosa (played by Charlize Theron), through a barren wasteland. Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy), a bit of a mad prophet, leads them towards safety but cannot share their destiny with them. George Miller’s masterful chaos demonstrates that sequels can indeed be both exciting and intelligent. If someone tries to persuade you otherwise, look them straight in the eye and say, “That’s nonsense.

Notable Mentions: Avengers: Endgame, Captain America: Civil War, Glass Onion, Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3, Paddington 2, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Star Trek Beyond, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, T2 Trainspotting, War for Planet of the Apes

This way, we’re using a more modern and colloquial phrase “Notable Mentions” instead of “Honorable Mention,” and clarifying the sequel of Guardians of the Galaxy as “Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3.” This should make it easier for readers to understand.

10 Movies That Changed Their Title

Black Christmas / Silent Night, Evil Night (1974)

The classic Canadian horror film “Black Christmas” is arguably the most enduring slasher movie set during the holiday season. Originally credited as one of the first-ever slasher films, it has left an indelible mark on genre classics like John Carpenter’s “Halloween,” home invasion thrillers, and any other movies centered around the festive period.

Interestingly, its American distributor, Warner Bros., initially had doubts about its success. Upon its U.S. release, Warner Bros. decided to change the title to a less ominous “Silent Night, Evil Night” to avoid confusion with blaxploitation films. The title was later changed again to “Stranger in the House” for its first television broadcasts. However, it was eventually agreed that the original title of “Black Christmas” was more fitting.

Mad Max 2 / The Road Warrior (1981)

Recognizing names is a potent asset for movie studios; hence, many sequels simply append a “2” to their predecessors’ titles. However, Warner Bros., being somewhat unsure about the impact of Mad Max 2, decided not to label it as such in its marketing. Instead, they titled the second film The Road Warrior, and deliberately avoided any overt references to it being a sequel. Consequently, viewers only discovered this was part of a series during their theater experience. Now, both Mad Max 2, The Road Warrior, and Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior are recognized as acceptable titles for the movie.

Rambo: First Blood – Part II / Rambo II: The Mission (1985)

The complex naming scheme of the ‘Rambo’ films is equally perplexing to the struggle of making sense of the ‘Halloween’ series timeline. Unlike the fourth ‘Rambo’ film, the first one doesn’t share its title with the character, and the second ‘Rambo’ movie almost left out the main character from its title as well. Before the sequel was even filmed, a teaser trailer for “First Blood Part II: The Mission” was shown in theaters to generate excitement about the upcoming second movie. However, the studio eventually renamed it to “Rambo: First Blood – Part II,” which is just as lengthy and even more puzzling. In some foreign territories, the film was released as “Rambo II: The Mission.” As we mentioned earlier, this naming pattern can be quite confusing.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone / Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)

In the past, some may recall a minor uproar surrounding the global distribution of the “Harry Potter” book series, as certain dialogues and terms were altered to seem less British for American audiences. For instance, they swapped the title of the first book from “Philosopher’s Stone” to “Sorcerer’s Stone,” reasoning that it would resonate better with U.S. readers due to its cooler sound and clearer association with magical characters. This decision was carried over to the movies, as the films were titled “Sorcerer’s Stone” in America, India, and the Philippines, while retaining “Philosopher’s Stone” elsewhere. This caused a slight complication during filming: scenes involving direct references to Nicolas Flamel’s magical artifact had to be filmed twice to ensure that each version matched its appropriate title when viewed on platforms like Wikipedia.

The Rundown / Welcome to the Jungle (2003)

As a cinephile, I’ve often noticed that film titles can undergo changes for international releases. For instance, Peter Berg’s action-comedy “The Rundown” might pop up as “Welcome to the Jungle” if you’re browsing movies overseas. Surprisingly, these two titles point to the same movie. Nowadays, both names are used, but I must admit that “Welcome to the Jungle” has a slight edge due to the story primarily unfolding within a dense jungle. Its original working title, “Helldorado,” was also intriguing, and it’s easy to see why a distributor might hesitate to market such a title globally.

X2 / X-Men United / X-Men 2 (2003)

The title of the second X-Men film was not easily determined and ended up being called X2 in America. However, this wasn’t its only name at the time as it was also referred to as X2: X-Men United for a while. This might have been due to concerns that the “X” and “2” symbols may not clearly indicate an X-Men sequel. Although X-Men United provides more information, it is somewhat vague and can be a bit cumbersome. Given that X-Men 2 would have been a suitable title for a sequel, this was used for its international release. However, the sleek appearance of X2 on posters led to it becoming the official title. It is a catchy title, but one should avoid confusing it with Vin Diesel’s xXx, which was released the previous year.

Shrek Forever After / Shrek: The Final Chapter (2010)

DreamWorks faced quite a challenge in choosing the title for their fourth Shrek film. Initially titled “Shrek Goes Fourth,” this was later changed to “Shrek Forever After” as the “goes out into the world, forth!” pun may have been too complex for young viewers and “forever after” sounds charming like a fairy tale. However, promotional materials prematurely referred to it as “Shrek: The Final Chapter,” suggesting it was a movie similar to Saw. Over time, “The Final Chapter” became the tagline, but eventually, the title was extended for home video release to “Shrek Forever After: The Final Chapter.” With so many additions, one might wonder if they’re saving even more for the future fifth film!

Edge of Tomorrow / Live Die Repeat (2014)

Edge of Tomorrow.” The director is now planning a sequel titled “Live Die Repeat and Repeat,” which could potentially have the tagline “Edge of ‘Edge of Tomorrow,’ Tomorrow.

The Mitchells vs the Machines / Connected (2021)

Originally belonging to Sony Pictures, the lively animated science fiction adventure known as “The Mitchells vs. the Machines” nearly went by a less captivating title. The studio had planned to release it as “Connected” in 2020, but due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, Sony decided to sell off some of its upcoming projects. Netflix acquired “Connected,” and it premiered on their streaming service the following spring, under the title preferred by director Mike Rianda, “The Mitchells vs. the Machines.” Unfortunately, the novelization of the movie had already been written before the sale and title change, so the book version still bears the original title, “Connected.

Thunderbolts* / *The New Avengers (2025)

In an unexpected move by the Marvel Cinematic Universe, they kept the true title of one movie hidden until after its release. For months, fans pondered the meaning behind the asterisk at the end of the movie’s title, Thunderbolts*, and eventually found out that it was just a temporary working title. The closing scenes of the movie (spoiler alert) introduce the former Thunderbolts team to the public as the new Avengers. Consequently, promotional materials bearing the name “The New Avengers” replaced those with Thunderbolts*. Remarkably, this haphazard group of antiheroes faced some initial struggles but eventually managed to find their way.

2025-06-05 17:29