15 Movie Sequels That Were Worth The Wait

Usually when a film becomes a hit, a sequel isn’t too far away. But that’s not always the case. We look at 15 movie sequels that were a long time coming, but well worth waiting for.

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

36 years after the original Top Gun defined the ‘80s with its explosive mix of action and machismo, Tom Cruise returned to the movie that made him a megastar. Having burned bridges in the Air Force and now working as a test pilot, Cruise’s character, Maverick, is brought back to train a new set of elite fighter pilots – including the son (Miles Teller) of his late best friend. Pumped full of excitement, heart-wrenching drama and signature Cruise charm, Top Gun: Maverick is a great example not only of how to live up to the original, but how to surpass it. 

Return to Oz (1985)

1939’s The Wizard of Oz is a classic work of Hollywood cinema adored by generation upon generation. Sequel Return to Oz would come out 46 years later – and find less love among audiences at the time. With more sinister visuals and storylines, the tale of Dorothy Gale’s (Fairuza Balk) return to the Wonderful Land of Oz is a much darker story than the original; however, in the years since its release, the film has gained appreciation in its own right for sticking closer to the spirit of L. Frank Baum’s original novels. With Broadway adaptation Wicked set to add to the legacy, now is the time to appreciate this sequel that took some rewarding risks. 

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Not just one of the best sequels, but one of the best action films ever made, and a textbook example of how to make a simple story into a fiercely compelling one. A loose follow-up to Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985), Tom Hardy stepped into the title role and joined a group of women escaping their brutal captor. The film redefined spectacle, using 99% physical effects instead of CGI – a choice that stood out to modern audiences who assume hardly anything they see on screen is real. It also introduced the incredible Furiosa (Charlize Theron), who came to be seen as the true hero of the story, and who would get her own prequel in 2024 with Anya Taylor-Joy in the role.

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve made the impossible possible when he took on a sequel to 1982 sci-fi Blade Runner. Considered one of the most influential movies ever made, this second instalment saw a new detective (Ryan Gosling) searching for the whereabouts of the original Blade Runner (Harrison Ford) after finding evidence that android beings called Replicants can reproduce. A thoughtful noir storyline was accompanied by faithful visuals and two leads at their very best. It’s little surprise that Villeneuve’s next venture would be Dune, the previously ‘unfilmable’ book he turned into another masterpiece. 

Rocky Balboa (2006)

Eyebrows were raised when, at the age of 60, Slyvester Stallone would step into the ring as Rocky Balboa for one last match. It had been 16 years since the critically maligned Rocky V, but scepticism turned to delight as writer/director/star Stallone told a heartfelt story of regret, grief and second chances. Now a widower, Rocky is thrust into the limelight when a fantasy boxing match claims he was better than the current champion in his prime, leading to a real-life match-up. If nothing else, Stallone’s famous “it ain’t about how hard you hit…” speech is still an online favourite among movie fans, cementing its place in Hollywood folklore. 

Tron: Legacy (2010)

The first of two divisive follow ups, Tron: Legacy was the sequel to 1982’s Tron, a film that wasn’t initially successful but which gained a cult following over the years. Original star Jeff Bridges returned to virtual world The Grid to fight a digitally de-aged version of himself, showing a breakthrough in special effects that would be used in films to this day. Some were disappointed by the movie, but we consider it an underrated gem worth checking out; the spectacular effects, scintillating Daft Punk soundtrack and glorious futuristic aesthetic have to be seen to be believed. 

The Color of Money (1986)

Hollywood legend Paul Newman returns to one of his most successful roles, passing the torch to a future icon in the process. Martin Scorsese directed this sequel to The Hustler, a film Newman starred in 25 years earlier about a young pool hustler (someone who pretends to be bad at pool, only to con their opponent into losing future matches) who challenges a legendary player. In the sequel, Newman’s character, Eddie, now older, tries to mentor a young player with potential – portrayed by a young Tom Cruise. This meeting of two of the most adored stars in Hollywood history is something everyone should check out, whether they have seen the original or not. 

Doctor Sleep (2019)

Almost 40 years after Stanley Kubrick’s seminal horror The Shining, Ewan McGregor takes over the role of Dan Torrance. Haunted by his experiences at The Overlook Hotel as a child, Torrance’s psychic gift leads him on a path to confront his past – and take on a band of unmentionably evil characters in the process. The film was based on Stephen King’s 2013 novel, Doctor Sleep, which was a follow-up to his 1977 novel, The Shining, making this a sequel adaptation to an adaptation – but we still think it counts as a much-anticipated sequel worth waiting for, and watching.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

A third Ghostbusters film featuring the original cast had been talked about since the release of Ghostbusters II in 1989, but various factors prevented the return of New York’s famous spirit hunters. After 32 years and one unrelated 2016 reboot, Jason Reitman (son of original director, Ivan) took the reins to tell the story of a family with a connection to the original Ghostbusters, who discover something strange in their new home. One notable exception from the cast was Harold Ramis, who had died in 2014; however, some beautiful writing allowed him to reunite with the original cast and pass the torch to a new team. 

Twisters (2024)

How do you make a sequel to a 28-year-old action movie without either of its stars? That was the test set for Twisters, the sequel to 1996 smash hit Twister. While the disaster action-thriller always had a large fan base, original star Helen Hunt was not involved in this second outing, and her co-lead Bill Paxton sadly passed away in 2017. The sequel’s solution was to make a film that felt faithful to the fun and thrills of the original, while still offering something fresh in the form of dynamic on-screen couple Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones. It was a spectacular thrill ride that did its predecessor proud. 

Incredibles 2 (2018)

Despite a 14-year gap from the first film, the magic of animation allowed this Pixar hit to pretend no time at all had passed. This sequel rejoins the superhero family immediately after the close of the first film, as they team up against a new terror while also trying to convince the public of the value of superheroes in everyday life. Pixar sequels haven’t always lived up to the originals, but this retains the same wit, affection and fun that audiences have come to expect. 

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

Talk about long-awaited sequels – The Force Awakens was 32 years in the making! Of course, there were the Star Wars prequels before it, but this was the first chance for those who had grown up dreaming of a galaxy far, far away to reunite with Chewbacca, Princess Leia and Han Solo from the first films. Director JJ Abrams didn’t disappoint, with a film that felt authentic to the original trilogy while still throwing in some big surprises. “Chewie, we’re home…”. 

In the Mood for Love (2000)

Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai waited a decade to make the second of what is described as an ‘informal trilogy’ about love: three films, loosely linked by place and characters, but strongly connected by their themes. For our money, this continuation to 1990’s Days of Being Wild is the best of the trilogy, following two neighbours (Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung Chiu-wai) who fall in love after realising their spouses are having affairs with each other. Selected as one of the greatest films of all time by several film publications, its chic style and simmering tension etches itself in your heart. 

Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020)

The beloved rocker duo Bill and Ted (Keanu Reeves and Bill Winter) reunite nearly 30 years after their last collaboration to save the world once again. This time, the party dudes are middle-aged and feeling like their destiny has passed them by. However, after learning they need to write a song to save the world, they begin travelling through time to steal one from their future selves. A very funny film, it lives up to the legacy of the comedy originals, while delivering a message of unity that we all need to hear.

Halloween (2018)

There had been nine different sequels and remakes of 1978’s Halloween, but this 2018 movie ignores that timeline completely, starting fresh 40 years on from the original. Pretending every sequel hadn’t happened, Halloween 2018 sees Jamie Lee Curtis return as Laurie Strode, whose experiences four decades ago have turned her into a fearful recluse – until killer Michael Myers escapes and she must face him one last time. An intelligent and timely film that embraces themes of trauma and claiming back one’s courage, it took the weary franchise to new heights.