Originally by Ranker FilmList RulesOnly second / 2 / Part II movies in series
What are the best movie sequels ever made? This list includes several of the greatest movies of all time, and they all have one thing in common: they were film number two in a series. Which sequel do you believe deserves the top spot? Which movie is arguably the best in the franchise? Vote for your favorites, vote down any sequels you didn't like and feel free to add any films that might be missing - though remember, this is a list of second films, so no "Part III's" please. You can also re-rank this movie list in any order you choose.
It's really, really hard to argue that The Godfather Part II shouldn't be at the top, or at the very least, near the top of this list. It's one of only a handful of sequels to receive an Academy Award Best Picture nomination (it won, in 1974, by the way). The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers also received a Best Picture nomination, though it did not win (the third installment in the series, did). This is proof that just because a film is a sequel, it can also be among the very best Oscar-winning movies.
Some of the best sequels, not surprisingly, are also among the best superhero movies ever made. Among them: The Dark Knight, Spider-Man 2 and X2. Other notable movies worth a mention (and a spot on this list) include Superman II, Iron Man 2, and Hellboy 2: The Golden Army. Disagree? Vote them down. To each, his (or her) own!
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3,707867The Dark Knight
Christian Bale, Michael CaineReleased: 2008
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
The Dark Knight is a 2008 superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan, based on the DC Comics... more
2
3,166799Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Harrison Ford, Carrie FisherReleased: 1980
Directed by: Irvin Kershner
The Empire Strikes Back is a 1980 American epic space opera film directed by Irvin Kershner.... more3
3,015736Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Edward FurlongReleased: 1991
Directed by: James Cameron
Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a 1991 American science fiction action thriller film written,... more4
1,884712Aliens
Sigourney Weaver, Bill PaxtonReleased: 1986
Directed by: James Cameron
Aliens is a 1986 American science-fiction action horror film written and directed by James... more5
2,059785The Godfather Part II
Al Pacino, Robert De NiroReleased: 1974
Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola
The Godfather Part II is a 1974 American epic crime film produced and directed by Francis Ford... more6
2,260624Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Scarlett Johansson, Cobie SmuldersReleased: 2014
Directed by: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a 2014 American superhero film featuring the Marvel... more7
1,897855The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Cate Blanchett, Ian McKellenReleased: 2002
Directed by: Peter Jackson
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is a 2002 epic fantasy film directed by Peter Jackson... more8
1,233562Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Kirstie Alley, William ShatnerReleased: 1982
Directed by: Nicholas Meyer
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is a 1982 sci-fi film directed by Nicholas Meyer. In the 23rd... more9
1,707854Toy Story 2
Tom Hanks, Kelsey GrammerReleased: 1999
Directed by: John Lasseter, Lee Unkrich, Ash Brannon
Toy Story 2 is a 1999 American computer-animated comedy adventure film produced by Pixar... more10
1,242593X-Men: Days of Future Past
Jennifer Lawrence, Halle BerryReleased: 2014
Directed by: Bryan Singer
X-Men: Days of Future Past is a 2014 science fiction action film written by Jane Goldman,... more11
1,685872Spider-Man 2
Tobey Maguire, Kirsten DunstReleased: 2004
Directed by: Sam Raimi
Spider-Man 2 is a 2004 American superhero film directed by Sam Raimi, based on the Marvel... more12
1,054661Rocky II
Sylvester Stallone, Burgess MeredithReleased: 1979
Directed by: Sylvester Stallone
Rocky II is a 1979 American sports drama film directed by Sylvester Stallone, and the second... more13
1,226711Shrek 2
Cameron Diaz, Eddie MurphyReleased: 2004
Directed by: Kelly Asbury, Andrew Adamson, Conrad Vernon
Shrek 2 is a 2004 American computer-animated, comedy film directed by Andrew Adamson, Kelly... more14
963583Lethal Weapon 2
Mel Gibson, Joe PesciReleased: 1989
Directed by: Richard Donner
Lethal Weapon 2 is a 1989 American buddy cop action film directed by Richard Donner, and... more15
1,6061,114Back to the Future Part II
Clint Eastwood, Michael J. FoxReleased: 1989
Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
Back to the Future Part II is a 1989 American comic science fiction film and the second... more16
890553Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior
Mel Gibson, Bruce SpenceReleased: 1981
Directed by: George Miller
Mad Max 2 is a 1981 Australian post-apocalyptic action film directed by George Miller. The... more17
1,340938X-Men 2
Halle Berry, Hugh JackmanReleased: 2003
Directed by: Bryan Singer
X2 is a 2003 American superhero film, based on the X-Men superhero team appearing in Marvel... more18
819552The Bourne Supremacy
Matt Damon, Julia StilesReleased: 2004
Directed by: Paul Greengrass
The Bourne Supremacy is a 2004 American-German action and spy film starring Robert Ludlum's... more19
1,151788Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Emma Watson, Daniel RadcliffeReleased: 2002
Directed by: Chris Columbus
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is a 2002 fantasy film directed by Chris Columbus and... more20
774582Superman II
Gene Hackman, Christopher ReeveReleased: 1980
Directed by: Richard Lester, Richard Donner
Superman II is a 1980 British-American superhero film directed by Richard Lester. It is a... more21
406189Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Chris Pratt, Zoe SaldanaReleased: 2017
Directed by: James Gunn
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a 2017 American superhero film directed by James Gunn, based... more22
860623Kill Bill Volume 2
Uma Thurman, Lucy LiuReleased: 2004
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Kill Bill Volume 2 is a 2004 martial arts action film written and directed by Quentin... more23
440283Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
James Franco, Gary OldmanReleased: 2014
Directed by: Matt Reeves
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is a 2014 American science fiction film directed by Matt Reeves... more24
262118Ant-Man and the Wasp
Paul Rudd, Evangeline LillyReleased: 2018
Directed by: Peyton Reed
Ant-Man and the Wasp is a 2018 American superhero film directed by Peyton Reed. As Scott Lang... more25
776588Batman Returns
Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher WalkenReleased: 1992
Directed by: Tim Burton
Batman Returns is a 1992 American superhero film, directed and produced by Tim Burton, based... more
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