Film

Which Long-Awaited Sequels And Prequels Were Worth The Wait?

Some cinematic sequels hit theaters after long stretches of franchise inactivity, so let's rank the ones that nailed it when they did finally return. It can be tough continuing a series, even one that sounds like a guaranteed blockbuster. With films that take forever to get made, all those years spent in development hell can heighten hype, as well as the potential for spectacular flops. This kind of film is like running into an old friend you haven't seen in years: either you're reminded of all the good times you shared or you're embarrassed to have ever been associated with them. So where do these sometimes classic and occasionally notorious movies that really took their sweet time coming to theaters rank when stacked against each other? Vote up the sequels that were worth the wait, vote down each film that dashed hopes and brought shame to the originals. Your votes will make it clear which franchises aged like fine wines and which sequels arrived way after their expiration dates.

Entries: 50
Votes: 72.9K
Updated: 4 days ago

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Source: Ranker, ranked by its voters.

#1Currently leadingTop Gun: Maverick

1
Top Gun: Maverick
Released in 2022, 36 years after Top Gun (1986).
72% upvoted
2
Mad Max: Fury Road
Released in 2015, 30 years after Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome (1985).
70% upvoted
3
Toy Story 3
Released in 2010, 11 years after Toy Story 2 (1999).
68% upvoted
4
The Incredibles 2
Released in 2018, 14 years after The Incredibles (2014).
63% upvoted
5
Jurassic World
Released in 2015, 14 years after Jurassic Park III (2001).
59% upvoted
6
Blade Runner 2049
Released in 2017, 35 years after Blade Runner (1982).
57% upvoted
7
Monsters University
Released in 2013, 12 years after Monsters Inc (2001).
57% upvoted
8
The Rescuers Down Under
Released in 1990, 13 years after The Rescuers (1977).
55% upvoted
9
Finding Dory
Released in 2016, 13 years after Finding Nemo (2003).
54% upvoted
10
Zombieland: Double Tap
Released in 2019, 10 years after Zombieland (2009).
56% upvoted
11
Rambo
Released in 2008, 20 years after Rambo III.
52% upvoted
12
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Released in 2015, 32 years after Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983) and 10 years after Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (2005).
51% upvoted
13
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Released in 2024, 36 years after Beetlejuice (1988).
55% upvoted
14
The Naked Gun
58% upvoted
15
Men in Black 3
Released in 2012, 10 years after Men in Black II (2002).
49% upvoted
16
28 Years Later
Released in 2025, 22 years after 28 Days Later (2003).
55% upvoted
17
Rocky Balboa
Released in 2006, 16 years after Rocky V (1990).
49% upvoted
18
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Released in 1999, 16 years after Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.
46% upvoted
19
Scream
Released in 2022, 11 years after Scream 4 (2011).
48% upvoted
20
Twisters
Released in 2024, 28 years after Twister (1996).
49% upvoted
21
Tron: Legacy
Released in 2010, 28 years after TRON.
48% upvoted
22
Clerks II
Released in 2006, 12 years after Clerks (1994).
46% upvoted
23
Escape from L.A.
Released in 1996, 15 years after Escape From New York (1981).
46% upvoted
24
Avatar: The Way of Water
Released in 2022, 13 years after Avatar (2009).
45% upvoted
25
Final Destination: Bloodlines
Released in 2025, 14 years after Final Destination 5.
49% upvoted
26
Live Free or Die Hard
Released in 2007, 12 years after Die Hard With a Vengeance (1995).
45% upvoted
27
Happy Gilmore 2
44% upvoted
28
Bad Boys for Life
Released in 2020, 17 years after Bad Boys II (2003).
41% upvoted
29
The Devil Wears Prada 2
Released in 2026, 20 years after The Devil Wears Prada (2006).
41% upvoted
30
Bill & Ted Face the Music
Released in 2020, 29 years after Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991).
37% upvoted
31
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
Released in 2003, 12 years after Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991).
38% upvoted
32
Fantasia 2000
Released in 1999, 59 years after Fantasia (1940).
36% upvoted
33
The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day
Released in 2009, 10 years after Boondock Saints (1999).
36% upvoted
34
Superman Returns
Released in 2006, 19 years after Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987).
37% upvoted
35
Freakier Friday
29% upvoted
36
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues
28% upvoted
37
The Matrix Resurrections
Released in 2022, 19 years after The Matrix Revolutions (2003).
34% upvoted
38
The Godfather Part III
Released in 1990, 16 years after The Godfather: Part II (1974).
34% upvoted
39
Super Troopers 2
Released in 2018, 17 years after Super Troopers (2001).
33% upvoted
40
Gladiator II
Released in 2024, 24 years after Gladiator (2000).
29% upvoted
41
Jackass Forever
Released in 2022, 12 years after Jackass 3D (2010).
31% upvoted
42
Practical Magic 2
40% upvoted
43
Clerks III
Released in 2022, 16 years after Clerks II (2006).
27% upvoted
44
Coming 2 America
Released in 2021, 33 years after Coming to America (1988).
27% upvoted
45
The Social Reckoning
Released in 2026, 16 years after The Social Network (2010).
0% upvoted
46
The Family McMullen
8% upvoted
47
Dumb and Dumber To
Released in 2014, 20 years after Dumb and Dumber (1994).
22% upvoted
48
The Exorcist: Believer
Released in 2023, 18 years after Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist (2005).
16% upvoted
49
The Odd Couple II
Released in 1998, 30 years after The Odd Couple (1968).
18% upvoted
50
Space Jam: A New Legacy
Released in 2021, 25 years after Space Jam (1996).
8% upvoted