Dune: Part Two – 8 sequels that surpassed the original films

Denis Villeneuve’s highly anticipated film Dune: Part Two has finally released in theatres, garnering universal acclaim. Critics have labelled the film a masterpiece, eclipsing the original 2021 film, Dune, which garnered six Academy Awards. The film starring Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya,  Rebecca Ferguson,  Austin Butler,  Florence Pugh, and Javier Bardem among others is expected to break several box-office records. For today’s List Hai Toh Hit Hai podcast, we take a look at eight Hollywood blockbuster sequels that surpassed the original films.

The Godfather Part II (Prime Video)

Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time. Based on Mario Puzo’s novel, the film is set in two timelines – one in 1901 about a young Italian immigrant who would become Don Vito Corleone, the second in 1958 following Vito’s son Michael, as he establishes himself as a ruthless mob boss operating in New York. While the first film is certainly a masterpiece on its own, the sequel astonishingly surpassed the original. Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Diane Keaton, and Robert Duvall essay prominent roles in the film.

The Dark Knight (Prime Video, Netflix, JioCinema)

It is not often a superhero film is revered in the same regard as films like Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather films. However, Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight has earned this unique distinction thanks to its compelling crime drama story set in the world of Batman. The first Batman Begins is arguably the greatest superhero origin film, but the sequel exceeded expectations largely thanks to Nolan’s ingenuity, and the performances by its cast. Christian Bale and Aaron Eckhart essay outstanding performances as Batman and Harvey Dent respectively, but they are overshadowed by the Oscar-winning performance of the late Heath Ledger as the Joker.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (JioCinema)

James Cameron catapulted his career in Hollywood after finding resounding success with his low-budget 1984 sci-fi film, The Terminator. Armed with a much bigger budget, Cameron would return for a more ambitious sequel in 1991, titled Terminator 2: Judgement Day. The film remains one of the iconic films of all – one that redefined the sci-fi genre in the ‘90s. It also helped Arnold Schwarzenegger establish himself as a bonafide global superstar.

X-Men: Days of Future Past (Disney+ Hotstar)

Fox’s X-Men universe has been a mixed bag since it debuted in 2000 with X-Men. Despite a few confusing timelines and soft reboots, the franchise has delivered a few outstanding films such as X-Men: First Class, X2, Deadpool, and Logan. However, one of the franchise’s most ambitious X-Men films is the direct sequel to X-Men: First Class. It tells a compelling story of Wolverine being sent back in time to 1973 to prevent the genocidal sentinel program from ever being conceived. The film is certainly one of the best superhero films ever made. Directed by Bryan Singer, it features an ensemble cast of Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, and Peter Dinklage among others.

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (Disney+ Hotstar)

Star Wars is one of the greatest film franchises of all time. Creator George Lucas’s first film of the franchise, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope redefined filmmaking and turned an entire generation into fans of the franchise. Lucas took the franchise to dizzying heights with the sequel, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. Featuring a star-studded ensemble led by Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher. Thanks to the success of the sequel Star Wars continues to thrive in films, TV shows, video games, and comic books.

Aliens  (Disney+ Hotstar)

The 1986 film Aliens is a sequel to the hit Ridley Scott film Alien, released in 1979. James Cameron took over the reins as director and crafted one of the greatest alien-horror films ever told. The film stars Sigourney Weaver as the iconic Ellen Ripley, who battles the dangerous Alien Queen and her offspring after being sent back to the planet LV-426. The sequel improved on the original in terms of scale and ambition to deliver a riveting story.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Prime Video, JioCinema)

There is hardly anything that separates Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy, which is adapted from J R R Tolkien’s iconic novels. All three films are revered as among the best of all time. However, one might argue that the second and third films The Towers and The Return of the King have improved on the first film, The Fellowship of the Ring. The adventures of Frodo, Samwise, Aragorn, Gandalf, and Legolas among others will remain one of the best stories ever told on the silver screen.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (Disney+ Hotstar)

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, is the sequel to the rebooted Rise of the Planet of the Apes. The film, helmed by Matt Reeves, marks a significant improvement from the acclaimed first film as it tells the story of Caesar, the chimpanzee who must lead the apes at a time when the fragile peace between the humans and apes is threatened by vindictive forces. The film stars Andy Serkis as Caesar, with  Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Toby Kebbell, and Kodi Smit-McPhee essaying other prominent roles.

Well that's all we got for this episode, until the next time it's your host Nikhil signing out.

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Written by Ryan Gomez