Sequels that exceed the original

[Astonished]

I know the general consensus is that sequels are usually of lower quality and typically done as cynical cash grabs (although the latter is probably 100% true all the time, actually) but there has to be more than a handful of sequels that outdo their predecessors, whether in terms of writing, visual quality, etc.

I think the most accepted example would be Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Probably most everyone who's seen the first two entries in that franchise would agree, Cameron's follow-up was vastly superior to the first Terminator. I personally would even venture that the third film was better than the first (if nothing, it was more enjoyably humorous and action-packed).

Or am I wrong? But even so, there have to be other sequels out there that blow the first out of the water by leaps and bounds.

I'd like to submit two recent entries, namely Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2 and Kingsman: The Golden Circle. Now, while the first films were both fantastic and I wouldn't say the sequels necessarily left them in the dust, but they definitely were better overall.

A slightly older submission would be Thor: The Dark World. I felt it fixed the problems with the first one (while by no means being perfect) which in and of itself would make it better by default. I know it's not a popular title even in such a popular franchise but it would be hard to argue it didn't have more laughs and more action than the first.

So, any other nominations for sequels that outdid their younger siblings?

[vorlon13]

Hate to go off the rails so early in your thread, but I came up with 2 movies that unexpectedly equal the first, but it's tough to say they exceed:

Dawn of the Dead (the 1970s version)

Godfather 2

[Astonished]

I did think Dawn exceeded Night, if only because color (and I still didn't really like it, a lot of things just bugged me about it) but there were flaws with that, too. Still, I just find myself re-watching it more often than Night.

I need to watch the Godfather movies again. Saw them in film appreciation class in high school (which diminished both the attention I paid and my potential to enjoy them), plus we watched them out of order, with part 2 first.

[Athene]

[Gawdzilla Sama]

The Empire Strikes Back.

[Brian37]

I think Beverly Hills Cop 2 was better than the first. They should have stopped after the 2nd.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Godfather II. Lethal Weapon II.

Boru

[Gawdzilla Sama]

If they did a sequel to "Terror Comes to Tiny Town" that would have been better than the original. If a sequel wasn't made it was better than the original.

[mlmooney89]

21 and 22 Jump Street are both equally hilarious.

Shrek 2 kinda wins out over Shrek

Toy Story 3 is about equal to Toy Story (But Toy Story 2 isn't)

The Conjuring 1 and 2 are both pretty good.

---

So, any other nominations for sequels that outdid their younger siblings?

Also, do you mean older?

[Aroura]

Star Trek 2, 3, 4, and 6 all exceed The Motion Picture.

---

Also, most of the Harry Potter movies. The first was charming, the second was repitious. Im not a fan of the third but most are. The 4th has rightfully mised reviews. But 5, 6 and 8 are all excellent, surpasding the first movie by leaps and bounds.