While there have been plenty of acclaimed classicsci-fimovies over the years, some truly great sequels often get left behind in these discussions. Sci-fi cinema has consistently been at the cutting edge of filmmaking as astounding visuals, unique premises, and deeply philosophical stories have left their mark on Hollywood history. However, when watchinga sequel to a beloved movie, it can be easy to constantly compare the two releases, and in the process some fantastic films are unfairly dismissed or severely underrated.
While there are examples ofall-time great sci-fi sequelssuch asTerminator 2: Judgment Day, within that same franchise there are examples of films that were given a tough time by critics and viewers but that are actually a lot of fun upon rewatch. Sometimes the passage of time reveals things we didn’t notice the first time around, and when returning tounderrated movies, it’s clear they were deserving of much more love. Although not every movie here could be classified as a forgotten masterpiece,all these sci-fi releases would benefit from a second look.
Few filmmakers made more underrated movies than John Carpenter, a trailblazing director for sci-fi and horror with countless cult classics under his belt. With several acclaimed collaborations with Kurt Russell, althoughEscape from New Yorkgets a lot of praise, its sequel is often overlooked in discussions around the director’s work. This was a real shame, asthe continued adventures of Snake Plisskenonly became wilder after the pair reunited for a sequel 15 years later.
Escape from L.A.pushed the frantic sense of humor of its predecessor even further as it told a post-apocalyptic story where a massive earthquake has cut Los Angeles off from mainland America, and this newly formed island becomes a prison colony for violent offenders. It’s out of this chaos that Snake arrives in L.A., determined to track down a powerful superweapon on orders from the president. As a cheesy, trashy, and over-the-top movie,Escape from L.A.was a satirical film of such manic energy it was impossible not to be won over by its charm.
TheAlienfranchise has had a divisive history, with some releases like Ridley Scott’s original movie or James Cameron’s sequelAliensbeing commonly regarded among the best sci-fi horrors of all time, although other releases in the franchise have been more controversial. While there are often calls to reappraise David Fincher’s much-malignedAlien 3, it’s not as often that people praise the woefully underrated sequelAlien Resurrection.
This unique entry took some big risks as it moved the action to 200 years in the future andbrought back Sigourney Weaver as a cloned version of Ellen Ripley. While there’s an argument that this undid the power of Ripley’s sacrifice inAlien 3, it also opened the door to some fascinating themes relating to the mythos of the franchise. With Ripley’s DNA being merged with that of a Xenomorph alien,Alien Resurrectiondealt with thought-provoking themes around identity, genetics, and playing God.
When positioned next to James Cameron masterpieces likeThe TerminatorandTerminator 2: Judgment Day, it’s understandable that many felt likeTerminator 3: Rise of the Machineswas a letdown. While this third release in the franchise was far from perfect, it was also commendable that it took a major risk as it leaned into the inevitability of judgment day and actually allowed it to happen. This shocking twist alone was enough to makeTerminator 3stand out and highlight it as a far darker movie than many might remember it as.
WithArnold Schwarzenegger reprising his role as the T-800, there were plenty of great chase scenes and more of the cheesy dialogue that helped this franchise become so iconic.Terminator 3: Rise of the Machinesset into motion so many interesting possibilities for this legendary sci-fi series, and it’s a real shame that later movies likeTerminator Genisyschose to ignore the events of this movie.
While the premise ofRoboCopmay look silly on paper, the truth was that the original movie and its sequel were both incredible explorations of corporate power, politics, humanity, and masculinity. Although the first movie has been endlessly praised for its thematic depth, for some strange reason, this acclaim has not been extended toRoboCop 2, whichcontinued the franchise’s critique of American capitalism and the military-industrial complex.
RoboCop 2was also notable as the last movie to feature Peter Weller in the title role, and the series went off the rails with a truly disappointing third movie. With great special effects for its time, some tragic characterization, and plenty of violent action, those who dismiss this underrated sequel are missing out big time. WhileRoboCop 2might not be as great as the original, it was definitely the best sequel in this long-running franchise.
While the originalMatrixtrilogy has its supporters, many feel that turning this cyberpunk classic into a franchise undid some of the power of the original and became increasingly convoluted as it went on. Even more people criticized the legacy sequelThe Matrix Resurrections, which sawKeanu Reeves reprise his role as Neoin a satirical story that poked fun at the way studios refuse to let IPs come to an end.
With some clever, tongue-in-cheek humor that leans into the very idea of this film being unnecessary,The Matrix Resurrectionsfelt like Wachowski was having her cake and eating it too, as she explored the very idea of a legacy sequel through its self-aware narrative. There’s something admirable about the strangeness ofThe Matrix Resurrections, and although it’ll never hold a candle to the original, it was enjoyable to see these characters on screen once again.
ThePredatorfranchise has consistently struggled to recapture the magic of the original Arnold Schwarzenegger movie. At the time of its release,Predator 2received negative reviews and was largely dismissed by critics. However,Predator 2was far better than it ever received credit for and stands as one of the most enjoyable blends of action, horror, and sci-fi of the 1990s. With a new city setting and some great hidden details that laid the foundations for its later crossover with theAlienfranchise, it’s no surprise that the film has quietly built a cult following over the years.
Predator 2stands as a solid sci-fi action movie that traded the claustrophobic surroundings of its jungle setting for a gritty urban environment that highlighted the Yautja as a major threat no matter what the landscape. With some great action sequences,the real highlight ofPredator 2was its climactic scene where Lieutenant Mike Harrigan (Danny Glover) made it onboard the creature’s ship, a moment that expanded upon the lore of the series and gave unique insight into the true nature of the alien species.
The firstTronmovie was about as 1980s as it gets, although its groundbreaking visuals and trailblazing use of CGI make it stand out as a hugely influential movie. With a cult fanbase that built up over the decades,the series returned after 28 years withTron: Legacyin 2010. This incredible sequel divided critics at the time, and although it was a hit at the box office, the movie never really got the credit it deserved for how well it followed up on the legacy of the original while also carving out something new.
From its powerful soundtrack by Daft Punk right through to its impressive visuals,Tron: Legacywas a worthy sequel that updated the video game inspirations of this franchise for a new generation. With Jeff Bridges returning as the arcade game inventor Kevin Flynn, this was a much darker adventure that leaned into the mature themes that underpinned its richly imaginative world. With a third installment,Tron: Ares, due for release in 2025, there’s never been a better time to go back and revisitTron: Legacy.
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Asa sequel to Stanley Kubrick’s sci-fi masterpiece2001: A Space Odyssey,2010: The Year We Make Contactwas always going to be somewhat of a letdown. However, this story about a joint American and Soviet crew attempting to discover what went wrong on the Discovery One mission actually had a lot to offer and was far better than its reputation suggests. With an A-list cast featuring Roy Scheider, Helen Mirren, and John Lithgow, those who opt to check it out will discover a fascinating adaptation of Arthur C. Clarke’s novel2010: Odyssey Two.
The problem with2010: The Year We Make Contactis that it’s impossible to improve upon perfection, and when compared to the astounding use of music, trailblazing visuals, and philosophical depth of Kubrick’s film, it was always going to come up short. But if you take a moment to just view this film on its own merits alone, what will be revealed is a top-tier 1980s sci-fi that added new depth to the story of HAL.
The originalPlanet of the Apeswith Charlton Heston has remained a touchstone of popular culture, whose incredible twist ending has been endlessly parodied across film and television. However, this enduring relevance did not extend to the various sequels produced throughout the 1970s, which continued the story of the futuristic chimpanzees Cornelius and Zira and their encounters with humanity. One of the best sequels was the third movie,Escape from the Planet of the Apes, which saw its ape characters fleeing the future to emerge in 20th-century Los Angeles.
Escape from the Planet of the Apesput a unique spin on this sci-fi franchise, and its contemporary setting helped lay the groundwork for many of the themes and ideas seen in the later reboot series. With a campy sense of humor and some thought-provoking concepts, it was fascinating to witness how these newly arrived talking chimpanzees gained huge media attention and became almost celebrity-like figures. As much a satire on sensationalism as it was a sci-fi tale,Escape from the Planet of the Apeswas clever and fun.
Although the variousUniversal Soldiersequels were of varying quality, the sixth and final installment truly kicked things into hyperdrive and gave audiences an exciting conclusion to this long-running franchise. With recognizable stars likeJean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren returningand Scott Adkins showing off his talent as a major new action star,Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoningwas a brutal and surreal installment that pushed audiences outside their comfort zones.
With Adkins as a former military man on the mission to avenge his wife and daughter and take down the eponymous Universal Soldier Luc Deveraux,Day of Reckoningrevealed that Deveraux has since become a terrifying terrorist military leader. AlthoughDay of Reckoningwas a direct-to-video release, many praised its haunting atmosphere and unique sense of style, with some critics even comparing it to the worlds of auteurs like Michael Haneke and David Lynch. WhileUniversal Soldier: Day of Reckoningwon’t be for everyone, those who like theirsci-fistories brutal and intense will certainly be in for a good time.
