20. Dawn of the Dead (1978)
Sequel to: Night of the Living Dead (1968)
What makes it good: “How can I defend this depraved trash?” Roger Ebert once wrote. “I do not defend it. I praise it.” Appalling, intelligent, and darkly funny, Dawn of the Dead brings a sly wit to the end of days and pits the depravity of its survivors against that of the undead swarm.
What makes it better: What sets Dawn of the Dead apart from most zombie fare, including its predecessor, is its challenging social commentary. The shuffling, anonymous zombie horde and mindless, sleepwalking consumers are one and the same. Skeptics can shamble on over to the nearest mall and see for themselves.
Iconic moment: The mall theme, obviously.
19. Shrek 2 (2004)
Sequel to: Shrek (2001)
What makes it good: Catchy musical numbers, great new characters, and an astounding amount of jokes-per-minute, Shrek 2 brings some genuine heart to a goofy fairy tale send-up.
What makes it better: In addition to improved animation, pacing, and attention to detail, Shrek 2 expands its universe and knocks its romantic resolution out of the park. Our leads decide they want to be gross ogres together. Then the horny cat and the sassy donkey lip-synch to the entirety of Ricky Martin’s Living La Vida Loca because why the fuck not. True love means accepting each other’s truth! No matter how fart-humour dependent that truth may be!
Iconic moment: “enough, Reggie.”
18. Addams Family Values (1993)
Sequel to: The Addams Family (1991)
What makes it good: Taking delight in the dour, Addams Family Values reunites the key players while upping the production value and mirthful morbidity.
What makes it better: The joy of the Addams family is setting their ghoulish sensibilities against contrasting backdrops. And with subplots to spare, Adams Family Values gets a wider breadth of filed to flaunt that weirdness. The summer camp segment is particularly effective, forcing the Addams kids to stare down the barrel of a truly frightening foe: wealthy white suburbia.
Iconic moment: “marvelous news, I’m going to have a baby…right now.”
17. Toy Story 2 (1999)
Sequel to: Toy Story (1995)
What makes it good: The gang’s back together again and CGI has advanced by four years!
What makes it better: Originally destined for VOD hell, John Lasseter and company spent nine months pulling off a miracle: a brighter, cleverer, more confident sequel that earned near-unanimous critical praise.
Iconic moment: “When She Loved Me”
16. 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
Sequel to: Cloverfield (2008)
What makes it good: Smart, well-crafted, and bone-chillingly tense, 10 Cloverfield Lane is confined psychological horror at its claustrophobic best.
What makes it better: More blood relative than cut and dry sequel, 10 Cloverfield Lane broadens the franchise’s narrative universe for the better (…something Cloverfield Paradox would promptly undo).
Iconic moment: Don’t open that door!
Related Topics: Sequels, Update The Lists
