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Movie follow-ups are often derided as cynical money-spinners that pale in comparison to their predecessors.
However, critics agree some cinematic sequels rank among the greatest movies ever made.
The sequels listed below are the very best, according to MetaCritic reviews.
1. Three Colors: Red
15 1994 ‧ Drama/Romance ‧ 1h 40m
A young model meets an elderly, retired judge and an unusual relationship blossoms.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "A complex, stirring, and beautifully realized portrait of interconnected lives, Red is the captivating conclusion to a remarkable trilogy."
2. Before Midnight
15 2013 ‧ Romance/Drama ‧ 1h 49m
The third movie in Richard Linklater's trilogy finds Jesse and Celinez reminiscing about their lives together during their Greek vacation.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "Building on the first two installments in Richard Linklater's well-crafted Before trilogy, Before Midnight offers intelligent, powerfully acted perspectives on love, marriage, and long-term commitment."
3. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
12A 2003 ‧ Fantasy/Adventure ‧ 4h 11m
The former Fellowship members prepare for the final battle, as Hobbits Frodo and Sam near Mount Doom to destroy the "One Ring."
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "Visually breathtaking and emotionally powerful, The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King is a moving and satisfying conclusion to a great trilogy."
4. Toy Story 3
U 2010 ‧ Family/Comedy ‧ 1h 48m
As their owner heads off to college, his toys are mistakenly delivered to a daycare center where they plot their escape.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "Deftly blending comedy, adventure, and honest emotion, Toy Story 3 is a rare second sequel that really works."
5. The Godfather: Part II
15 1974 ‧ Crime/Drama ‧ 3h 22m
The all-time classic follows Vito Corleone's early life and career in 1920s New York, and how his son, Michael, grows the family's criminal empire.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "Drawing on strong performances by Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, Francis Ford Coppola's continuation of Mario Puzo's Mafia saga set new standards for sequels that have yet to be matched or broken."
6. Before Sunset
15 2004 ‧ Romance/Drama ‧ 1h 20m
Celine and Jesse, who met nine years ago in Vienna, unexpectedly encounter each other for a day in Paris.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "Filled with engaging dialogue, Before Sunset is a witty, poignant romance, with natural chemistry between Hawke and Delpy."
7. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
U 1977 ‧ Sci-fi/Sci-fi ‧ 2h 5m
Luke Skywalker and Han Solo race to free Princess Leia and destroy the evil Galactic Empire's powerful weapon.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "A legendarily expansive and ambitious start to the sci-fi saga, George Lucas opened our eyes to the possibilities of blockbuster filmmaking and things have never been the same."
8. 63 Up
2019 ‧ Documentary/news ‧ 2h 18m
The ninth installment of the documentary that periodically follows Britons from a wide spectrum of socioeconomic backgrounds as they grow up.
Movie critic Roger Ebert wrote the series is "an inspired, even noble, use of the film medium", and the film's "penetrate to the central mystery of life."
9. Paddington 2
PG 2017 ‧ Family/Adventure ‧ 1h 44m
Paddington bear begins a new job to buy the perfect birthday present for his aunt, but the gift gets stolen.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "Paddington 2 honours its star's rich legacy with a sweet-natured sequel whose adorable visuals are matched by a story perfectly balanced between heartwarming family fare and purely enjoyable all-ages adventure."
10. Three Colors: White
15 1994 ‧ Drama/Romance ‧ 1h 32m
The second in the critically acclaimed Three Colours trilogy finds a Polish immigrant face divorce and unemployment.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "Taking a lighter tone than the other films of the Three Colors trilogy, White is a witty, bittersweet comedy with heavier themes on its mind than one might at first realize."
11. Toy Story 2
U 1999 ‧ Family/Comedy ‧ 1h 35m
Pixar's first-ever sequel finds Buzz Lightyear and friends race to rescue Woody when he is kidnapped.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "The rare sequel that arguably improves on its predecessor, Toy Story 2 uses inventive storytelling, gorgeous animation, and a talented cast to deliver another rich moviegoing experience for all ages."
12. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
12A 2002 ‧ Fantasy/Adventure ‧ 3h 43m
Saruman launches an assault as Hobbits Frodo and Sam arrive in Mordor with Gollum's assistance.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "The Two Towers balances spectacular action with emotional storytelling, leaving audiences both wholly satisfied and eager for the final chapter."
13. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
U 2005 ‧ Family/Comedy ‧ 1h 35m
Wallace and Gromit are tasked with tracking down a mysterious vegetable-ravaging monster.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is a subtly touching and wonderfully eccentric adventure featuring Wallace and Gromit."
14: Forty Two Up
1998 ‧ Documentary ‧ 2h 19m
Now aged 42, a group of British-born adults are documented again after a 7-year wait.
The New York Times describes 42 Up as: "An obvious labor of love for [director Micheal] Apted."
15. Mission: Impossible – Fallout
12A 2018 ‧ Action/Adventure ‧ 2h 28m
Ethan Hunt and his team must thwart terrorists planning simultaneous nuclear attacks on different cities.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "Fast, sleek, and fun, Mission: Impossible – Fallout lives up to the 'impossible' part of its name by setting yet another high mark for insane set pieces in a franchise full of them."
16. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
12A 2011 ‧ Fantasy/Fantasy ‧ 2h 10m
Harry Potter and his friends Ron and Hermione race against time to destroy Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "Thrilling, powerfully acted, and visually dazzling, Deathly Hallows Part II brings the Harry Potter franchise to a satisfying – and suitably magical – conclusion."
17. The Silence of the Lambs
18 1991 ‧ Thriller/Horror ‧ 2h 18m
An FBI agent hunting a serial killer seeks assistance from an incarcerated psychopath, former psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter.
Red Dragon (2002), previously filmed as Manhunter (1986), is actually a prequel to the hugely successful The Silence of the Lambs.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "Director Jonathan Demme's smart, taut thriller teeters on the edge between psychological study and all-out horror, and benefits greatly from stellar performances by Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster."
18. Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi
12A 2017 ‧ Sci-fi/Action ‧ 2h 32m
Luke Skywalker encounters Rey and trains her ahead of the Resistance's war against the evil First Order.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "Star Wars: The Last Jedi honors the saga's rich legacy while adding some surprising twists — and delivering all the emotion-rich action fans could hope for."
19. 49 Up
2005 ‧ Drama ‧ 3 hours
Director Michael Apted returns after seven years to interview the British subjects—now aged 49—in this long-running documentary.
Movie critic Roger Ebert wrote: "Michael Apted's Up series remains one of the great imaginative leaps in film."
20. Toy Story 4
U 2019 ‧ Family/Comedy ‧ 1h 40m
Woody, Buzz Lightyear and their friends go on an adventure with Bonnie and a new toy called Forky.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "Heartwarming, funny, and beautifully animated, Toy Story 4 manages the unlikely feat of extending – and perhaps concluding – a practically perfect animated saga."
21. Aliens
18 1986 ‧ Sci-fi/Action ‧ 2h 34m
Ellen Ripley returns to planet LV-426 that is overrun with aliens, to make contact with a missing terraforming colony.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "While Alien was a marvel of slow-building, atmospheric tension, Aliens packs a much more visceral punch, and features a typically strong performance from Sigourney Weaver."
22. The Dark Knight
12A 2008 ‧ Action/Adventure ‧ 2h 32m
Following Batman's attack on Gotham's organised crime, the mob hires psychopathic criminal mastermind The Joker.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "Dark, complex and unforgettable, The Dark Knight succeeds not just as an entertaining comic book film, but as a richly thrilling crime saga."
23. Spider-Man 2
PG 2004 ‧ Action/Adventure ‧ 2h 15m
Peter Parker must battle Doctor Octavius after losing his job, his girlfriend and his Spider-Man powers.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "While the cast is outstanding and the special effects are top-notch, the latest installment of the Spidey saga suffers from an unfocused narrative and an overabundance of characters."
24. 56 Up
2012 ‧ Documentary ‧ 2h 24m
Filmmaker Michael Apted revisits his original subjects—now aged 56—to explore how their lives are now progressing.
Manohla Dargis of The New York Times wrote: "This latest installment of Michael Apted's Up documentary series finds the Britons he has been chronicling since they were seven as barometers of the British class system."
25. Kill Bill: Vol. 2
18 2004 ‧ Action/Martial Arts ‧ 2h 18m
A pregnant woman, dubbed the Bride begins her bloody quest to kill her ex-boss, Bill.
Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus states: "Kill Bill: Volume 2 adds extra plot and dialogue to the action-heavy exploits of its predecessor, while still managing to deliver a suitably hard-hitting sequel."
