The best movie sequels of all time
The top 3 according to 588 votes from people: The Godfather Part II (1974) · The Empire Strikes Back (1980) · The Dark Knight (2008). (Updated Dec 19, 2024.)
Sequels that matched or beat the original, according to critics' lists and IMDb (SlashFilm, Newsweek, Fandango).
Top 12
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1
The Godfather Part II (1974)
Pacino and De Niro, the sequel that set the bar.
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2
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Often called the greatest sequel ever made.
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3
The Dark Knight (2008)
The best sequel according to IMDb's top 250.
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4
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Bigger, smarter and more emotional than the original.
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5
Toy Story 3 (2010)
A rare third chapter that made everyone cry.
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6
Mad Max 2 (1981)
The Road Warrior defined post-apocalyptic cinema.
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7
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Helm's Deep and Gollum.
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8
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Sam Raimi's train fight with Doctor Octopus.
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9
Aliens (1986)
James Cameron turns horror into war.
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10
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Thirty-six years later, Tom Cruise flies higher.
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11
Paddington 2 (2017)
The bear in prison, one of the best-reviewed films ever.
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12
Before Sunset (2004)
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.
Is something missing?
Comments (5)
Paddington 2 on a best sequels list, as it should be.
Toy Story 3's ending, I'm not crying, you are.
Empire over Godfather II? For me Godfather II is the one.
Before Sunset is the most romantic sequel ever made.
Top Gun: Maverick deserves it, better than the original by miles.