15. A Shot in the Dark (1964)
Sequel to: The Pink Panther (1963)
What makes it good: The sight gags are rapid, the bits are rampant, and the accent is ridiculous. An effervescent tour de force of madcap murder shenanigans, A Shot in the Dark prioritizes bumbling over homicide investigation to great effect.
What makes it better: Where Pink Panther was written as a vehicle for David Nivens’ villainous Sir Charles, A Shot in the Dark was designed for Peter Sellers’ Jacques Clouseau. And, from the nudist colony gag to every goddamn goofy delivery, it shows.
Iconic moment: Clouseau vs. Pool Cues
14. Annabelle: Creation (2017)
Sequel to: Annabelle (2014)
What makes it good: A group of orphans moves into a big spooky house with a retired toymaker and it goes about as well as you’d expect. Annabelle: Creation brings new life to a tired premise.
What makes it better: That’s right. The sequel to the spooky doll movie is a total goddamn blast. The secret to Annabelle: Creation’s success? Getting as far away from Annabelle (and the extended Conjuring universe) as possible.
Iconic moment: Boo!
13. Magic Mike XXL (2015)
Sequel to: Magic Mike (2012)
What makes it good: This is a sexy movie that celebrates female lust and male friendship! It’s a sweet slice of entertainment and one of the best shot/edited dance movies put to celluloid no thanks to DP…Steven Soderbergh? Holy shit.
What makes it better: Magic Mike XXL is the Ocean’s 11 of male entertainer road trip movies. Where Magic Mike was melodrama, its sequel is lighter in tone, character-focused, and subtly subversive. It’s a sweet, fantasy-focused film that takes contagious joy in pleasure, and movement. What’s not to love?
Iconic moment: convenience store seduction.
12. Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006)
Sequel to: Superman (1978)
What makes it good: Despite the whole “swapping out the director 75% of the way through filming” thing, Superman II is a truly entertaining romp with a sense of humor and a penchant for spectacle.
What makes it better: With the origin story foundation laid, Superman II has a leaner more ominous sensibility that reins in the bloated scope of its predecessor. Also, it has way better villains!
Iconic moment: Clark takes on a bully.
11. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
Sequel to: National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)
What makes it good: With a lot of jokes and a little schmaltz, Christmas Vacation blends cartoon violence and holiday cheer.
What makes it better: Vacation is a fine road trip flick and a fine film. But Christmas Vacation is a holiday classic. It’s got a great ensemble cast, a sharp eye for the delights and dismays of the season, and a heightened commitment to relatable moments of absurdity.
Iconic moment: One of the most tragic, and hilarious, Christmas dinners to grace the silver screen.
Author’s note: I refuse to acknowledge that Christmas Vacation is the third installment in the franchise because as far as I am concerned 1985’s European Vacation never happened. I made the rules, they’re mine to break.
Related Topics: Sequels, Update The Lists
