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Best Movie Sequels That You Can Now Stream

Best Movie Sequels That You Can Now Stream

A successful film franchise can ensure box office earnings like few other movie offerings can. For this reason, major movie studios are almost certain to follow up a successful blockbuster with at least one sequel. In some cases — as with the upcoming “Bill & Ted Face the Music” — a sequel can come out decades later.

Producers churn out sequels to capitalize on an initial film’s success and fan base and in this way create a franchise for generating future profits. These films expand and further explore cinematic worlds that have already found favor with audiences. Many of the top-grossing films of all time — including “Jurassic World” (2015), “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981), and “Return of the Jedi” (1983) — are sequels. These are the top 100 grossing movies of all time.

Of course, some sequels are better than others. 24/7 Tempo has identified the 25 best sequels that you can currently stream from home, based on critic and audience ratings on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) and Rotten Tomatoes. Streaming availability is based on data from JustWatch.

In some cases, these sequels are better received than their predecessors. Filmmakers may be given larger budgets to better realize their visions after an original’s success. Other times, new talent is brought in to offer a fresh perspective on a story or set of characters.

In other cases, the original film remains the most critically successful, yet the sequel still does well. These films are still considered wins for movie studios as they may contribute to audiences’ overall positive view of a franchise. These are the best movie franchises to marathon from home.

 

To determine the best movie sequels that you can now stream, 24/7 Tempo created an index based on each film’s Rotten Tomatoes average critic rating, Rotten Tomatoes average audience rating, and Internet Movie Database average user rating. To be considered, each film needed to have at least 10,000 total user ratings on both IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes, 10 approved Tomatometer critic reviews, and be classified as a sequel by IMDb. They also had to be currently available to stream as of July 8, 2020, according to data provided by JustWatch. Editorial discretion was then used to determine which movies did not fully meet the qualifications of a sequel, such as the case with reboots or film franchises that feature a consistent character but are otherwise unrelated with regards to storyline.

Source: Courtesy of Lionsgate

25. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
> Directed by: Francis Lawrence
> Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth
> Available on: Vudu, Google Play Movies, Apple iTunes, Amazon Video, YouTube, Microsoft Store, AMC on Demand, DIRECTV, Redbox, FandangoNOW, Freeform, Fandango, Sling TV

In the second installment of the dystopian Hunger Games trilogy, hero Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and her partner Peeta Mellark are the targets of the government after their victory in the Hunger Games triggers a revolt. According to the Critics Consensus on Rotten Tomatoes, the sequel is “smart” and “smoothly directed.” With a Freshness rating from reviewers of 90%, it is the highest rated film of the series. “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” caught fire with filmgoers, as the film grossed $158 million in its opening weekend.

Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

24. After the Thin Man (1936)
> Directed by: W.S. Van Dyke
> Starring: William Powell, Myrna Loy, James Stewart
> Available on: Apple iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Redbox, Microsoft Store

“After the Thin Man” is a beloved sequel from the Golden Age of Hollywood. The second Thin Man film again stars William Powell as detective Nick Charles and Myrna Loy as his wife, Nora, as they work to solve a murder mystery with the help of James Stewart’s David Graham. The movie currently has a perfect Freshness score on Rotten Tomatoes, with 90% of audiences enjoying the sequel.

Source: Courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

23. The Raid 2 (2014)
> Directed by: Gareth Evans
> Starring: Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian, Arifin Putra
> Available on: Vudu, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Microsoft Store, FandangoNOW, DIRECTV, Amazon Video, Tubi TV

After a policeman takes down one group of gangsters in Jakarta, Indonesia, the officer must confront corruption within the city’s police force in this Indonesian and American-produced crime/thriller sequel. Critics gave “The Raid 2” a Freshness rating of 81%, saying the sequel delivered the goods on action sequences that appealed to audiences in the original, and 87% of audiences liked it. Viewers should be aware, however: with a runtime of 150 minutes, the brutal sequel is more of a time commitment than its one hour and 41 minute predecessor.

Source: Ken Griffiths / iStock via Getty Images

22. Creed (2015)
> Directed by: Ryan Coogler
> Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson
> Available on: Apple iTunes, Vudu, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Microsoft Store, Amazon Video, AMC on Demand, Redbox, FandangoNOW, Sling TV

Nearly 40 years after the release of “Rocky” (1976) — and with five sequels in between — Sly Stallone resurrects the character of Rocky Balboa for “Creed.” The film finds the boxer acting as trainer and mentor to the son of friend and former rival Apollo Creed, Adonis, played by Michael B. Jordan. The film has the highest Rotten Tomatoes Freshness rating of the entire Rocky franchise at 95%, beating even the original film. The film is one of five films in the Rocky franchise to gross more than $100 million domestically.

Source: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

21. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
> Directed by: Matt Reeves
> Starring: Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Andy Serkis
> Available on: Google Play Movies, Apple iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video, YouTube, Microsoft Store, DIRECTV, Redbox, FXNow, FandangoNOW

“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” is the sequel to “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” which is the more recent reboot of the Apes franchise. In the Oscar-nominated sequel, humans in San Francisco clash with the apes following a plague that has devastated humanity. The sequel — now available on Amazon Video as well as other platforms — has a Freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes of 90% from critics, who say in the Critics Consensus the film “expanded on its predecessor with an exciting and ambitious burst of sci-fi achievement.”

Source: pmstephens / iStock via Getty Images

20. Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)
> Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
> Starring: Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Michael Madsen
> Available on: Google Play Movies, YouTube, Apple iTunes, AMC on Demand, DIRECTV, Vudu, Redbox, Hulu, Showtime, FandangoNOW, fuboTV, Tubi TV, Sling TV, TNT, HBO Max, Microsoft Store, Amazon Video

In the second of Quentin Tarantino’s homage to various movie genres such as martial arts films, blaxploitation movies, and spaghetti Westerns, the Bride, played by Uma Thurman, continues her vengeance against her assailants and boss and ex-lover, Bill (David Carradine). Critics Consensus on Rotten Tomatoes says the film delivers “a suitably hard-hitting sequel.” The critics Freshness rating is 84%, while the audience score is 89%, topping the first Kill Bill film.

Source: Courtesy of Rosebud Releasing Corporation

19. Evil Dead II (1987)
> Directed by: Sam Raimi
> Starring: Bruce Campbell, Sarah Berry, Dan Hicks
> Available on: Apple iTunes, Vudu, Microsoft Store, AMC on Demand, Google Play Movies, YouTube, DIRECTV, IndieFlix, Redbox, FandangoNOW, Amazon Video, Fandango

No longer restrained by a shoestring budget, as he was while making “Evil Dead” (1981), director Sam Raimi (who later helmed three Spider-Man flicks) further realized his special effects-laden horror-comedy vision in the follow-up “Evil Dead II.” The inventive sequel — about one man’s efforts to survive demonic attacks in an isolated cabin — received approval from 97% of critics on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the highest rated of the four-film franchise.

Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

18. Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)
> Directed by: Christopher McQuarrie
> Starring: Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill, Ving Rhames
> Available on: Amazon Video, Vudu, Apple iTunes, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Microsoft Store, Epix, Amazon Prime Video, AMC on Demand, DIRECTV, Hulu, FandangoNOW, Fandango, Redbox

While most movie franchises get stale by the sixth installment, Mission: Impossible keeps getting better. Stylish and packed with stunts, the pulse-pounding “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” earned a 97% Freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes — the best reviewed film of Tom Cruise’s storied career — and an 87% audience score. The film was so popular that two more M:I films have already been announced.

Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

17. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
> Directed by: Nicholas Meyer
> Starring: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley
> Available on: Vudu, Amazon Video, FandangoNOW, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Apple iTunes, DIRECTV, Microsoft Store, Epix, Sling TV, Redbox, Fandango, Hulu, fuboTV

After the first Star Trek film disappointed fans and critics in 1979 (Chicago Reader critic David Kehr called it “blandness raised to an epic scale”), the iconic TV sci-fi program found its film footing with “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.” Ricardo Montalban gives a legendary performance as the villainous Khan, a role later reprised by Benedict Cumberbatch in the most recent Star Trek franchise.

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

16. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
> Directed by: Denis Villeneuve
> Starring: Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas
> Available on: Vudu, Apple iTunes, Amazon Video, AMC on Demand, DIRECTV, Redbox, Microsoft Store, FandangoNOW, YouTube, Google Play Movies

A worthy companion to the 1982 sci-fi classic, “Blade Runner 2049” hit theaters 35 years after the original. Despite terrific reviews from critics and audiences, “Blade Runner 2049” was a box office disappointment, with a domestic gross of $92 million on a budget of $150 million. The same could be said of the original, though it has since attained cult status.

Source: Jason Merritt / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

15. The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
> Directed by: Paul Greengrass
> Starring: Matt Damon, Edgar Ramirez, Joan Allen
> Available on: Apple iTunes, Vudu, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Microsoft Store, Amazon Video, AMC on Demand, DIRECTV, Redbox, FandangoNOW, Fandango

Though its two predecessors — “The Bourne Identity” and “The Bourne Supremacy” — were both certified Fresh by Rotten Tomatoes, “The Bourne Ultimatum” is the top-rated film of the five Jason Bourne movies. Matt Damon plays the titular Jason Bourne, a trained killer with no memory on a mission to find out who he is and who is out to get him.

Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

14. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
> Directed by: Steven Spielberg
> Starring: Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Alison Doody
> Available on: Vudu, Netflix, Apple iTunes, Microsoft Store, Amazon Video, AMC on Demand, DIRECTV, Redbox, FandangoNOW, Fandango, Sling TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube

The third film of the Indiana Jones franchise enlisted legendary actor Sean Connery to play Jones’ (Harrison Ford) father. This time, Indy and his allies must prevent the Nazis from acquiring the Holy Grail. The pairing of Connery and Ford met approval of critics, who liked the fact that the sequel was “lighter and more comedic than its predecessor,” according to the Critics Consensus on Rotten Tomatoes. “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” received a Freshness rating of 87% from critics, and a 94% approval score from audiences.

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

13. Paddington 2 (2018)
> Directed by: Paul King
> Starring: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Grant, Hugh Bonneville
> Available on: Vudu, Apple iTunes, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Amazon Video, AMC on Demand, Microsoft Store, Redbox, DIRECTV, Fandango, TNT

It’s not often that a children’s movie sequel is so charming, entertaining, and well done that moviegoers are genuinely upset it is not nominated for the Oscars. But “Paddington 2” is such a film. The talking bear in a coat charmed audiences and critics, again, earning a rare 100% Freshness rating from Rotten Tomatoes.

Source: Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

12. Before Midnight (2013)
> Directed by: Richard Linklater
> Starring: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick
> Available on: Vudu, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Amazon Video, AMC on Demand, DIRECTV, Redbox, Microsoft Store, FandangoNOW, Apple iTunes

A sequel to “Before Sunset,” “Before Midnight” again follows Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy, who co-wrote the film with director Richard Linklater). Nine years after the previous film, this movie provides a powerful meditation on long-term commitment. “Before Midnight” resonated with critics, who gave it a 98% Freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences gave the sequel an 82% approval score.

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

11. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
> Directed by: David Yates
> Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint
> Available on: Apple iTunes, Vudu, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Microsoft Store, Fandango, USA Network, AMC on Demand, DIRECTV, Redbox, FandangoNOW, Amazon Video, HBO Max

The eighth and final film of the Harry Potter series is also by far the best reviewed. The teen wizard series finally culminates with an epic battle between our heroes and Voldemort and his followers. Terrific visual effects and powerful, grounded acting performances give this epic saga the finale it deserves. Audiences can find it on numerous platforms, including HBO Max.

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

10. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
> Directed by: George Miller
> Starring: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult
> Available on: Vudu, Apple iTunes, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Microsoft Store, Amazon Video, AMC on Demand, DIRECTV, Redbox, FandangoNOW, Fandango, Syfy, fuboTV

The critically well-received fourth installment of the post-apocalyptic movie franchise had plenty of star power with Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Zoë Kravitz, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Six Oscars went to the George Miller-directed film, which the Critics Consensus on Rotten Tomatoes said contained “exhilarating action and a surprising amount of narrative heft.” “Mad Max: Fury Road” has a 97% Freshness rating among Rotten Tomatoes critics and an 85% approval score among audiences.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

9. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
> Directed by: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
> Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo
> Available on: Vudu, Apple iTunes, Amazon Video, Microsoft Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, AMC on Demand, Disney Plus, DIRECTV, FandangoNOW, Fandango

Critics and fans alike flipped for the 22nd entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, delivering positive ratings of 94% and 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, respectively. The movie was by far the top grossing release of 2019, bringing in more than $858 million at the domestic box office. The Infinity Saga finale is among the top rated Marvel films thus far.

Source: Courtesy of New Line Cinema

8. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
> Directed by: Peter Jackson
> Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen
> Available on: Vudu, Apple iTunes, FandangoNOW, YouTube, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Amazon Video, AMC on Demand, DIRECTV, Redbox, HBO Max, Fandango

“The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” is the highest rated of all Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movies, receiving 95% positive reviews from both critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. It has an 8.7 rating out of 10 among more than 1.4 million IMDb users. The movie focuses more on action than its predecessor while maintaining its emotional core, delivering viewers a wholly satisfying experience.

Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

7. Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
> Directed by: James Whale
> Starring: Boris Karloff, Elsa Lanchester, Colin Clive
> Available on: Vudu, Apple iTunes, Google Play Movies, YouTube, DIRECTV, Microsoft Store, FandangoNOW, Amazon Video, Redbox

Director James Whale followed up his hugely influential “Frankenstein” (1931) with a wildly inventive and popular sequel, “Bride of Frankenstein.” Writing for Time Out, critic Geoff Andrew called the funny and suspenseful film — which holds a perfect score among critics on Rotten Tomatoes — “Whale’s most perfectly realised movie.”

Source: Courtesy of TriStar Pictures

6. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
> Directed by: James Cameron
> Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong
> Available on: Apple iTunes, Vudu, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Microsoft Store, Amazon Video, AMC on Demand, DIRECTV, FandangoNOW, Showtime, fuboTV, Showtime Amazon Channel, Redbox

James Cameron’s early directorial effort “The Terminator” (1984) was a huge success and holds a perfect score among Rotten Tomatoes critics. The sequel holds a 93% Freshness score among critics on Rotten Tomatoes, and a 94% approval score among audiences. “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” holds an 8.5 rating out of 10 among nearly 1 million IMDb users. As he did with “Aliens,” Cameron delivered an action-packed and visually exceptional sequel with “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (1991). The movie won four Academy Awards.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

5. Toy Story 3 (2010)
> Directed by: Lee Unkrich
> Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack
> Available on: Google Play Movies, YouTube, Apple iTunes, Vudu, AMC on Demand, Disney Plus, DIRECTV, Microsoft Store, Amazon Video

As a result of its “comedy, adventure, and honest emotion, ‘Toy Story 3′ is a rare second sequel that really works,” according to Rotten Tomatoes’ Critics Consensus. The movie, which again stars Tom Hanks and Tim Allen voicing the lead roles of Woody and Buzz Lightyear, has a 98% Freshness rating. It won two Oscars, including Best Animated Feature Film.

Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

4. Aliens (1986)
> Directed by: James Cameron
> Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Carrie Henn
> Available on: Vudu, Fandor, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Microsoft Store, Eros Now, Apple iTunes, DIRECTV, HBO Now, HBO Go, Redbox, FandangoNOW, HBO Now Amazon Channel, HBO Max

The original “Alien” (1979), directed by Ridley Scott, is a frightening classic that holds positive ratings from 98% of critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Its follow-up, “Aliens,” helmed by blockbuster master James Cameron, almost matches the original, with a 97% Freshness rating. The sequel maintains the tension of the original while introducing an increase in overall action. Both movies received 94% positive reviews from audiences.

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

3. The Dark Knight (2008)
> Directed by: Christopher Nolan
> Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart
> Available on: Apple iTunes, Vudu, YouTube, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Amazon Video, AMC on Demand, DIRECTV, Redbox, FandangoNOW, Hulu, Fandango

Director Christopher Nolan reinvented the world of Gotham City with his dark and atmospheric “Batman Begins” (2005). He perfected it with “The Dark Knight,” thanks in part to the work of actors Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart, and the late Heath Ledger, who delivered an iconic, Oscar-winning performance as the Joker. On Rotten Tomatoes, both critics and audience members gave it a 94% approval rating.

Source: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

2. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
> Directed by: Irvin Kershner
> Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher
> Available on: Apple iTunes, Vudu, Microsoft Store, Amazon Video, AMC on Demand, Disney Plus, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, FandangoNOW, Fandango

“Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back” is one of the most beloved and exciting films of all time. The sequel builds upon the smash-hit success of the original Star Wars film “A New Hope.” The film delivers classic lines, memorable characters, amazing new planets, and one of the greatest twists in film history. With a Freshness score of 94% among Rotten Tomatoes critics, it is the highest rated of all the Star Wars films, and 97% of audiences liked the film.

Source: Sanny11 / iStock via Getty Images

1. The Godfather: Part II (1974)
> Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola
> Starring: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall
> Available on: Vudu, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Microsoft Store, Apple iTunes, Amazon Video, AMC on Demand, DIRECTV, Redbox, FandangoNOW

Nevermind sequels, “The Godfather: Part II” is widely hailed as one of the greatest films of all time. The film chronicles Vito Coreleone’s (Robert De Niro) rise to power in the Mafia along with the struggle of his son (Al Pacino) to maintain power decades later. The film won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor for De Niro, and Best Director for Francis Ford Coppola.

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