5 sequels that are even better than the originals
Given the recent box- office bummer Independence Day: Resurgence ( only 38% of moviegoers gave it a thumbs up at survey site Rotten Tomatoes), we thought we’d remind you that there are sequels in this world that match the splendor of their previous movies
1 ‘ THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK’ ( 1980)
Though it didn’t repeat the box- office bonanza of A New Hope, which brought in an insane $ 775 million- plus worldwide, the second episode in the Star Wars saga not only lived up to the hype but also cemented itself as a cornerstone in pop culture. From AT- ATs falling on Hoth to montages of Yoda on Luke’s back, this movie has moments that are still Hollywood staples. Some ( including USA TODAY critic Brian Truitt) consider it the best Star Wars movie to date, but that’s a debate for another time.
2 ‘ THE DARK KNIGHT’ ( 2008)
After Christopher Nolan launched Batman Begins in 2005, summer 2008 brought fans of good acting The Dark Knight, the film that comic- book movies now have to live up to. Heath Ledger gives a once- in- ageneration performance as the Joker and terrorizes Gotham from the inside out. The movie is gripping, iconic and an all- time great.
3 ‘ SPIDER- MAN 2’ ( 2004)
The Tobey Maguire Spider- Man movies have been permanently struck from memory, because of that unspeakably awful jazz- club montage in Spider- Man 3. But what got sucked up in that black hole is how good SpiderMan 2 actually was. Spidey takes on Dr. Otto Octavius and struggles to keep his secret identity hidden from his friends and family. The movie ends with a cliffhanger, so remember: You can make up your own SpiderMan 3 plot and ending. It’ll be better than the real Spider- Man 3.
4 ‘ ALIENS’ ( 1986)
James Cameron’s blockbuster sequel to Ridley Scott’s Alien takes place 57 years later. Ripley ( famously played by Sigourney Weaver) goes on a rescue mission back to the planet she escaped. The sequel, packed with tension and drama, was hailed as an outstanding achievement in filmmaking and continues to be looked upon fondly today as the movie celebrates its 30th anniversary ( July 18).
5 ‘ TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY’ ( 1991)
The movie known for being one of the best sequels of all time will turn 25 on Sunday. After the success of 1984 blockbuster The Terminator, James Cameron ( as only James Cameron can) went bigger and badder with Terminator 2. The highestgrossing movie of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career and winner of four Academy Awards is a story about a cyborg who protects Sarah Connor’s son, John.