The Independent's Top 10 most underrated sequels in film history (10 photos)

Film sequels are a risky business. Some continue the story and become even better than the original (The Empire Strikes Back, Toy Story 2, Paddington 2), but more often than not, the second and third installments are labeled "worse than the first" simply by virtue of their existence. And yet, there are films that have received undeservedly little love. They've lived in the shadow of their iconic predecessors, yet are bold, powerful, and quite good in their own right, expanding universes and giving characters new depth. The Independent has compiled a list of these underrated sequels, threequels, and so on—we present the top 10.

10th place. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)





When the third installment came under fire because of the second part's greatness

The third part of Nolan's trilogy is often criticized automatically—simply because it's compared to The Dark Knight. Sure, it's not as brilliant, and there are plot holes, but it's still a powerful film with scope, drama, and one of the most quotable villains ever—Tom Hardy's Bane. And the ending was one of the most emotional in superhero film history.

9th place. Bad Lieutenant (2009)



A film where Nicolas Cage sees non-existent iguanas—and that's okay

The original title is "Bad Lieutenant: Call to Account." It's neither a sequel nor a remake of the 1992 film of the same name starring Harvey Keitel, but the two films are clearly connected—at least in the title and the plot about a corrupt cop. But those expecting the dark philosophy of the original "Bad Lieutenant" quickly realized that Werner Herzog had made something quite different. Cage is in high spirits, the plot gradually devolves into absurd black comedy, and New Orleans adds a strange mystical atmosphere to the film. It all feels like it shouldn't work, but somehow it does.

8th place. Back to the Future Part III (1990)





A spectacular finale to the trilogy, wrongly considered weak.

The transfer of the heroes to the Wild West seemed too abrupt to many after the fantastical elements of the first parts. But the third installment is a touching conclusion to the story, full of references, humor, and a brilliant final train robbery. Plus, Thomas F. Wilson gives the best take on the Tannen family as the deranged Buford "Reservoir Dog."

7th place. Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)



A sequel that became Looney Tunes—and only got better for it.

The first Gremlins was a dark Christmas satire. But the second film doesn't even try to play by the rules: it devolves into pure cartoonish bacchanalia, grilling the very idea of ​​Hollywood sequels. Spider gremlin? Vegetable gremlin? An intellectual gremlin singing "New York, New York"? Absolute chaos—and absolute joy.

6th place. Psycho II (1983)



The sequel no one asked for, but it turned out to be stunningly good

Making a sequel to the greatest horror film of all time would be sacrilege. But Psycho II avoids the clichés typical of '80s slashers and turns into a thoughtful drama about Norman Bates trying to come to terms with his fate. Anthony Perkins, 23 years older, delivers a subtle and tragic performance, and the story itself expands the universe so that the film becomes a profound and independent work. Hitchcock might well have appreciated this.

5th place. The Godfather Part III (1990)



A film that simply can't be bad by definition

After two masterpieces, any third film is doomed to disappoint. But The Godfather Part III doesn't deserve the hatred it receives. The film has powerful scenes, mature drama, and one of the most quoted lines in cinema history: "Just when I thought I was out, they dragged me back in." If you stop comparing it to the first two super-masterpieces, it's a powerful, tragic conclusion to the saga.

4th place. Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)



The most intelligent and humane installment of the early "Planet of the Apes" films

The franchise's sequels of the '70s were wildly uneven, but Escape from the Planet of the Apes unexpectedly emerged as a mature, serious film. It centers on themes of racial conflict, religion, and fear of others. The ending is one of the most heartbreaking moments in the entire series.

3rd place. Rocky IV (1985)



When boxing turns into a Cold War epic—and it's delightful.

Yes, there's so much pathos that you could listen to "Eye of the Tiger" for a month straight. Yes, the villain Drago is a caricature, and America versus the USSR is a bit blunt. But it's precisely this exaggerated style that makes the film iconic. It looks like an hour and a half long music video from the 80s, which is no bad thing.

2nd place. The French Connection 2 (1975)



A sequel that unexpectedly proved deeper than the original.

The first film was a gritty crime thriller. The second is a dark, psychologically wrenching journey into the mind of Gene Hackman's character, police officer Popeye Doyle. The film lacks explosive editing, but boasts powerful drama and one of the actor's finest performances. A sequel that has been unfairly overshadowed.

1st Place. Return to Oz (1985)



A dark, disturbing, and absolutely unforgettable reimagining of the Land of Oz.

The fairytale world morphs into something almost like a horror film: a ruined Emerald City, creepy minions on wheels, a princess who swaps heads, and an overall sense of nightmare. The film is too dark for children, too strange for adults—and therefore remains misunderstood. But now more and more viewers recognize its coolness.