Toy Story 2

Director: Ash Brannon, John Lasseter, Lee Unkrich | 1999

Now that Woody and Buzz Lightyear have become friends, it seems like nothing will disrupt the peace in Andy’s toy room. But a series of events lead to Woody being stolen by a toy collector, so now Buzz has to recruit other toys to help him rescue Woody. Toy Story was a universally acclaimed animation, and many would say there was very little room for improvement left. Yet, the team behind the movie worked their magic and made Toy Story 2, a film that is considered to be one of few sequels better than the original.   

Paddington 2

Director: Paul King | 2017

After the events of the first movie, Paddington is happily settled with the Browns. The entire community likes him for his joyful demeanor and orange marmalade. Paddington saves up money to buy a pop-up book for his Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday. But when the book is stolen from the shop and Paddington is framed as the burglar, it is up to him, the Browns, and all their friends to find the real culprit and return Paddington his honest name. Paddington 2 is considered to be one of the best movie sequels that not only carried the legacy of the original but also made it a little better.

Goldfinger

Director: Guy Hamilton | 1964

“A martini. Shaken, not stirred.” You might not be a James Bond fan, and yet, you instantly recognized this phrase. Goldfinger was the first 007 film to use it. And though each Bond film may be viewed as a standalone piece from the series and not as a sequel, this one is considered to be superior to the two that came before it because it shaped James Bond the way we know him now. 007 investigates a gold-smuggling scheme and has to confront a gold magnate before the latter contaminates the gold depository in Fort Knox and obliterates the world economy. 

Three Colours: Red

Director: Krzysztof Kieslowski | 1994

The last installment in the Three Colours trilogy, Red was nominated for three Academy Awards. In the same manner Kieslowski employed throughout the trilogy, the film explores human relationships of every nature and destinies intertwined in the most intricate ways. Student and part-time model Valentine meets retired judge Kern, and though initially she is outraged by him eavesdropping on his neighbors, they form an unlikely friendship of sorts. Besides closing the trilogy, this film also became the last for the director who passed away two years after its release.     

The Godfather Part II

Director: Francis Ford Coppola | 1974

One would think that outdoing Coppola’s first film of the mafia saga was next to impossible, but the filmmaker proved this wrong. The Godfather Part II switches between the challenges of Michael Corleone, the Don’s third son and the protagonist of the story, and the early years of Vito Corleone, his struggles in New York upon arrival, and his eventual rise to lead the mafia family. Same as the first part before it, this sequel remains one of the cornerstones of modern filmmaking. 

Toy Story 3

Director: Lee Unkrich | 2010

If the first sequel still has a chance to be as good as the original, most second sequels rarely manage to carry the momentum and often fail to produce a compelling story. Most, but not Toy Story 3. As Andy grows up and is getting ready to leave for college, all his toys except Woody accidentally find themselves in the trash instead of the attic. Misunderstanding Andy’s intentions, they carry out a plan to get to a daycare center which “never runs out of children.” Little do they know what dangers await them there.

Before Midnight 

Director: Richard Linklater | 2013

The third installment in the Before franchise, Before Midnight sees the protagonists, Jesse and Celine, married with children. While generally happy, they seem to be struggling to get over certain circumstances, like Jesse’s inability to bond with his teenage son from his previous marriage, and Celine finding herself at a career crossroads. Like the two films before it, the last part of the trilogy is heavily based on dialogues but never feels like it’s dragging.

Bride of Frankenstein

Director: James Whale | 1935

Picking up the story right where the first movie ended, Bride of Frankenstein follows Dr. Frankenstein as he, coerced by his former mentor, attempts to create a female that could later mate with the monster. Meanwhile, the monster is on the run from the villagers who want to finish him. As sad and devastating as the original, the sequel continues to raise the moral issue of creation. 

Toy Story 4

Director: Josh Cooley | 2019

Toy Story might not be the movie with most sequels, but it does have many. From story to characters to cast, it manages to keep up the high standard that was set in the first movie. Now that Woody, Buzz, and the rest of Andy’s toys live with preschooler Bonnie, Woody struggles to find his place in the new environment, at the same time keeping himself busy trying to prevent Forky, Bonnie’s DIY toy, from finishing its own existence. Torn between his loyalty to Bonnie and his wish to stay with Bo Peep, with whom he reunited during a road trip, Woody will need all the help he can get from friends.   

Mission Impossible: Fallout

Director: Christopher McQuarrie | 2018

The Mission Impossible franchise continued to set the bar higher with each new film, and Fallout, the most recent installment, remains true to its standards. It has everything you would expect from an MI film: high stakes, breathtaking action, double-crossings, an omnipotent group of terrorists who plan to end civilization the way we know it, and of course, impersonation using masks. It is also widely considered to be the best film of the franchise.