14 Movie Sequels That Outscored The Original On Rotten Tomatoes
by Kelly MartinezBuzzFeedBuzzFeed Contributor
When it comes to movies, the sequel is never as good as the original, right? Meh, not always. Sometimes it's actually better than its predecessor. Maybe the script is tighter, the cast is bigger and better, or it's just plain more fun.
Tap to play GIF
Tap to play GIF
Miramax Films / Via giphy.com
From animated family films to epic franchise additions, here are 15 sequels with higher Rotten Tomatoes scores than the original:
Just FYI: We're comparing the Tomatometer scores here, aka the critical reception! For example, a 90% RT approval rating means 90% of approved critics gave the movie a positive review overall, not that it's a 9/10. Also, the audience scores might be different altogether.
1.
Paddington 2 (2017)
Warner Bros. /Courtesy Everett Collection
Paddington (2014): 96% approval rating
Paddington 2 (2017): 99% approval rating
Critics' Consensus: "Paddington 2 honors its star's rich legacy with a sweet-natured sequel whose adorable visuals are matched by a story perfectly balanced between heartwarming family fare and purely enjoyable all-ages adventure."
2.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Paramount Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection
Top Gun (1986): 59% approval rating
Top Gun: Maverick (2022): 96% approval rating
Critics' Consensus: "Top Gun: Maverick pulls off a feat even trickier than a 4G inverted dive, delivering a long-belated sequel that surpasses its predecessor in wildly entertaining style."
3.
Dune: Part Two (2024)
Niko Tavernise / Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection
Dune (2021): 83% approval rating
Dune: Part Two (2024): 92% approval rating
Critics' Consensus: "Visually thrilling and narratively epic, Dune: Part Two continues Denis Villeneuve's adaptation of the beloved sci-fi series in spectacular form."
4.
Scream 2 (1997)
Miramax/Courtesy Everett Collection
Scream (1996): 78% approval rating
Scream 2 (1997): 83% approval rating
Critics' Consensus: "As with the first film, Scream 2 is a gleeful takedown of scary movie conventions that manages to poke fun at terrible horror sequels without falling victim to the same fate."
5.
The Dark Knight (2008)
Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
Batman Begins (2005): 85% approval rating
The Dark Knight (2008): 94% approval rating
Critics' Consensus: "Dark, complex, and unforgettable, The Dark Knight succeeds not just as an entertaining comic book film, but as a richly thrilling crime saga."
6.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
Murray Close/Lionsgate/Courtesy Everett Collection
The Hunger Games (2012): 84% approval rating
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013): 90% approval rating
Critics' Consensus: "Smart, smoothly directed, and enriched with a deeper exploration of the franchise's thought-provoking themes, Catching Fire proves a thoroughly compelling second installment in the Hunger Games series."
7.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001): 91% approval rating
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002): 95% approval rating
Critics' Consensus: "The Two Towers balances spectacular action with emotional storytelling, leaving audiences both wholly satisfied and eager for the final chapter."
8.
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018)
Jonathan Prime / Universal/ Everett Collection
Mamma Mia! (2008): 55% approval rating
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018): 80% approval rating
Critics' Consensus: "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again doubles down on just about everything fans loved about the original -- and my my, how can fans resist it?"
9.
X2: X-Men United (2003)
20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
X-Men (2000): 82% approval rating
X2: X-Men United (2003): 85% approval rating
Critics' Consensus: "Tightly scripted, solidly acted, and impressively ambitious, X2: X-Men United is bigger and better than its predecessor -- and a benchmark for comic sequels in general."
10.
Aliens (1986)
20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
Alien (1979): 93% approval rating
Aliens (1986): 94% approval rating
Critics' Consensus: "While Alien was a marvel of slow-building, atmospheric tension, Aliens packs a much more visceral punch and features a typically strong performance from Sigourney Weaver."
11.
Shrek 2 (2004)
DreamWorks/Courtesy Everett Collection
Shrek (2001): 88% approval rating
Shrek 2 (2004): 89% approval rating
Critics' Consensus: "It may not be as fresh as the original, but topical humor and colorful secondary characters make Shrek 2 a winner in its own right."
12.
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
Spider-Man (2002): 90% approval rating
Spider-Man 2 (2004): 93% approval rating
Critics' Consensus: "Boasting an entertaining villain and deeper emotional focus, Spider-Man 2 is a nimble sequel that improves upon the original."
13.
John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)
Summit Entertainment/Courtesy Everett Collection