5 sci-fi movie sequels that are better than the original
Creating a sci-fi sequel is always a challenge, and there are plenty of examples of second or third installments that failed to match the brilliance of the original film. However, a lucky few managed to meet fans’ expectations and match the original and even surpass their predecessors in many ways.
Sequels are common in the sci-fi genre, and many beloved films have gone on to launch entire franchises to varying degrees of success. When done right, sequels expand the created universe, showcase character development, and even the visual and narrative standards set by the original. These sci-fi sequels have managed to do just that.
George Miller’s original Mad Max (1979) was a risky independent business (with a modest budget of $ 350,000) that created an iconic post-apocalyptic world and created one of the most successful franchises. The first installment starred then barely known Mel Gibson, while the sequel starred Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, which certainly helped with its promotion.
Mad Max: Fury Road is considered by fans to be superior to the original in many ways, including its visual effects (for which it received an Oscar nomination), the depth of the story, the level of emotions and tension evoked and character development. This sequel won 6 Academy Awards, including Best Film Editing, Best Production Design, and Best Costume Design, and has an impressive 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The rise of the planet of the apes (directed by Rupert Wyatt) took on the risky task of rebooting an already cult ’70s apocalyptic film series, and she achieved great success, receiving accolades for her direction, special effects, and acting performances ( in particular Andy Serkis’ portrayal of Caesar which earned him several nominations), as well as $ 482 million at the box office.
However, the following, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, left its predecessor in the dust. Directed by Matt Reeves, it’s widely regarded as the most exciting, ambitious, visually impressive (with an Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects) and emotionally complex in the franchise to date. It was also a box office success, grossing over $ 710 million worldwide against a budget of $ 170 million, and ranked 90% on the Tomatometer.
Before becoming the cult classic, the 1982 by Ridley Scott Blade runner was initially a commercial and critical disappointment, with audiences put off by the film’s slowness. However, since its release, it has grown into one of the most influential works of science fiction and a staple in the cyberpunk subgenre that has inspired many movies and games.
Released 35 years after the original, Blade Runner 2049 not only met the high standards set by the first installment, but managed to excel at them. It has been widely praised for being visually stunning, delivering an expertly crafted narrative, featuring an excellent cast including Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford and Jared Leto, and staying true to the original. While this is a box office disappointment (with just over $ 260 million in revenue versus a budget of $ 185 million), Blade Runner 2049 received 2 Oscars for Best Photography and Best Visual Effects and 3 nominations, as well as many other accolades. He scores 88% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The heated debate over Riddley Scott’s original Extraterrestrial is better or worse than its sequel, Aliens, directed by James Cameron, has been around since the ’80s. While the sequel is widely praised for its action-fueled pace, award-winning visual effects, and expanding global lore, many fans believe that Extraterrestrial excelled as a horror film, offering more atmospheric tension than its sequel.
However, in the commercial and critical sense, Aliens was a more successful film, grossing $ 183 million at the box office and receiving 2 Oscars (Best Visual Effects and Best Sound Effects Editing) and 7 nominations, including Best Actress for Sigourney Weaver as Ripley. He has a stellar 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The first part of the epic space saga, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, revolutionized the sci-fi genre and launched one of the most successful and popular franchises of all time. It featured groundbreaking visual effects, an excellently crafted narrative, and introduced fans to the vast world of Star wars and its colorful characters. When released in 1977, it quickly became a hit, grossing $ 775 million, and won 7 Oscars (including Best Music for its now iconic soundtrack) and 4 nominations (including Best Music). film and best director).
With the original’s massive success, it seemed unlikely that a sequel could top that, but The Empire Strikes Back did just that and is now widely regarded as the best installment in the vast Star Wars franchise, as well as one of the best sci-fi movies of all time. As well as expanding the world and introducing some of the beloved characters like Yoda, The Empire Strikes Back featured one of the most iconic revelations (followed by a now classic “Noooooooo!”) and a nail-biting cliffhanger. It has been nominated and won numerous awards (including 2 Oscars) and scores 94% on the Tomatometer.
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