A dystopian thriller and an action blockbuster: 8 movie sequels that are better than the original.

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We need to talk about something controversial: sometimes, just sometimes, the sequel is actually better than the original. I know, I know — it feels wrong to even type those words. But hear me out.

Hollywood has a pretty shocking track record when it comes to sequels. For every The Godfather Part II, there's a Speed 2: Cruise Control lurking in the shadows, ready to destroy everything we loved about the first film.

Watch the trailer for Top Gun: Maverick. Article continues after video.

But occasionally, the stars align, the budget increases, and filmmakers actually learn from their mistakes to create something genuinely superior.

Here are the sequels that dared to be better than their predecessors — and somehow pulled it off.

Shrek 2.

Image: Dreamworks

The original Shrek was a delightful middle finger to Disney's fairy tale monopoly, but Shrek 2 took that energy and cranked it up to 11. This time around, our favourite green ogre meets the in-laws (spoiler: it goes about as well as you'd expect), and we're introduced to the scene-stealing Puss in Boots, voiced by Antonio Banderas in what can only be described as career-defining work.

The film's genius lies in how it expands the world whilst keeping the heart intact. Plus, that 'I Need a Hero' sequence during the climax? Iconic. Pure cinematic gold. It's funnier, more emotionally resonant, and somehow even more subversive than its predecessor.

The Dark Knight.

Image: Warner Bros.

Batman Begins was a solid reboot, but The Dark Knight was a cultural phenomenon. Christopher Nolan took everything that worked about the first film and elevated it into something approaching high art.

Heath Ledger's Joker is, quite simply, one of the greatest villain performances ever committed to film. The way he transforms chaos into philosophy whilst wearing purple suits? Chef's kiss. This isn't just a superhero film… it's a crime epic that happens to feature someone dressed as a bat.

Top Gun: Maverick.

Image: Paramount Pictures

Nobody — and I mean nobody — expected a Top Gun sequel released 36 years after the original to be anything other than a nostalgic cash grab. Instead, we got what might be the most emotionally satisfying legacy sequel ever made.

Tom Cruise returns as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, now an instructor training a new generation of pilots for an impossible mission. It's got all the aerial sequences that'll make your palms sweat, but more importantly, it's got genuine heart. Watching Maverick grapple with his past whilst mentoring the son of his deceased best friend? Prepare to ugly cry if you haven't seen this masterpiece.

22 Jump Street.

Image: Sony Pictures releasing

The first 21 Jump Street was a surprisingly clever action-comedy that revitalised both Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum's careers. But 22 Jump Street is pure comedic genius — a sequel that's completely self-aware about being a sequel and absolutely revels in it.

Hill and Tatum's Schmidt and Jenko head to college this time, and the film becomes a brilliant meta-commentary on sequels whilst delivering non-stop laughs. The end credits sequence alone, which shows fake trailers for increasingly ridiculous future instalments, is worth the price of admission.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

Image: Starz Entertainment

The first Hunger Games film was amazing (and I say this as a certified fan of the books) but let's be honest, it has nothing on its sequel. Catching Fire was on an entirely different level and remains the best movie in that entire franchise. Katniss returns to the arena for the Quarter Quell, but this time she's facing previous victors — and the political stakes have never been higher.

Jennifer Lawrence delivers her best performance as Katniss, and the film's exploration of trauma, propaganda, and revolution feels genuinely urgent. Plus, that arena reveal? Absolutely diabolical, in the best possible way.

Not to mention, some of my favourite characters are introduced in the second film. A.K.A. Finnick Odair.

Paddington 2.

Image: StudioCanal

The first Paddington was charming, but Paddington 2 is pure joy distilled into 103 minutes of cinema. When Paddington is wrongly imprisoned for theft, the film becomes a delightful caper whilst never losing its gentle heart.

Hugh Grant camps it up magnificently as the villain, and the film's message about kindness and community feels genuinely radical in our current climate. It's the rare sequel that improves on perfection — and somehow makes it look effortless.

Rush Hour 2.

Image: New Line Cinema

Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker's chemistry was the highlight of the original Rush Hour, and Rush Hour 2 doubles down on their buddy cop dynamic whilst transplanting the action to Hong Kong. The result is pure entertainment gold.

The film's blend of martial arts action and comedy hits every single note, and watching Chan navigate both elaborate fight sequences and Tucker's motormouth energy is genuinely thrilling. It's bigger, funnier, and more action-packed than the original.

Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.

Image: Touchstone Pictures

Whoopi Goldberg returns as Deloris, now tasked with saving a struggling school through the power of music. What could have been a lazy retread instead becomes a genuinely inspiring story about education, community, and the transformative power of believing in young people.

The musical numbers are bigger and better, Lauryn Hill delivers a star-making performance, and the film's message about the importance of arts education feels more relevant than ever. Plus, that final performance of 'Joyful, Joyful'? Absolute perfection.

Feature Image: Paramount Pictures.