# The best movie sequels of all time

Sequels that matched or beat the original, according to critics' lists and IMDb (SlashFilm, Newsweek, Fandango).

- 588 votes · 12 items
- Dec 19, 2024 · Natalie Pierce
- https://even.best/en/l/1910/the-best-movie-sequels-of-all-time

## Top 12

1. **The Godfather Part II (1974)** (58 · ▲65 ▼7) — Pacino and De Niro, the sequel that set the bar.
2. **The Empire Strikes Back (1980)** (43 · ▲52 ▼9) — Often called the greatest sequel ever made.
3. **The Dark Knight (2008)** (39 · ▲50 ▼11) — The best sequel according to IMDb's top 250.
4. **Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)** (35 · ▲43 ▼8) — Bigger, smarter and more emotional than the original.
5. **Toy Story 3 (2010)** (35 · ▲40 ▼5) — A rare third chapter that made everyone cry.
6. **Mad Max 2 (1981)** (31 · ▲38 ▼7) — The Road Warrior defined post-apocalyptic cinema.
7. **The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)** (29 · ▲37 ▼8) — Helm's Deep and Gollum.
8. **Spider-Man 2 (2004)** (24 · ▲30 ▼6) — Sam Raimi's train fight with Doctor Octopus.
9. **Aliens (1986)** (21 · ▲30 ▼9) — James Cameron turns horror into war.
10. **Top Gun: Maverick (2022)** (19 · ▲33 ▼14) — Thirty-six years later, Tom Cruise flies higher.
11. **Paddington 2 (2017)** (19 · ▲31 ▼12) — The bear in prison, one of the best-reviewed films ever.
12. **Before Sunset (2004)** (15 · ▲29 ▼14) — Jesse and Céline meet again in Paris, nine years on.

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.