My Top 10 Favorite Horror Movie Sequels

Sequels more often than not have a hard time living up the expectations raised by its predecessor, but Horror movie sequels seem to have the hardest time of all. Usually there’s no point to horror sequels, and they simply exist to cash in on the success of the original. However, there are some select good horror movie sequels that not only live up to the quality of the first, but in some cases, surpasses them. So, for this October, I’ll be counting down my own personal Top 10 Favorite Horror Movie Sequels that actually do the original proud, and may even be better.   

#10 Annabelle Creation (2017)

The 2014 movie "Annabelle" was terrible, and set a new low for the genera. Yet, this squeal/prequel not only brought back some real scares, but also had a lot of admirable aspects. In general, the Annabelle doll has become a mascot for modern horror cinema, and giving her a detailed origin was a risky venture, but it worked, as her dark secrets make the doll both more terrifying, and subsequently more tragic. The film revolves around two orphaned girls finding a new place of residence, but they each in turn find themselves haunted by the mysterious doll, as well as the secrets revolving around the house keepers late daughter. Putting the focus on two girls was a great start, but it's the performances, and chemistry between the two that give's this film it's substance. It makes the scares all the more effective because I genuinely cared about the two. This is also the first time I genuinely felt terrified of a creepy, motionless doll. The film also lends to some terrific haunted house scenarios, spooky action, and some memorable frightening highlights.    

#9 “Dawn of the Dead” (1978) 

In the vain of "The Bride of Frankenstein”, here is yet another sequel that escaped the long shadow of its iconic predecessor, and has become a classic in its own right. The original “Night of the Living Dead” is the movie that kicked started the Zombie genera, but the sequel “Dawn of the Dead” is what kept it going strong after so many years, and why Zombies are so popular today. This a film that blends nasty Zombie action with social commentary on society, and becomes gory poetry in the process. Aside from that, this is just a wildly entertaining film, with great characters, quotable lines, and a terrific mall-shop setting. While I can’t say it’s 100% better than the first film, it is undeniably the movie I’d rather watch.    




   

#8 The Conjuring 2 (2016)

Back in 2013, “The Conjuring” made a big impact, launched several spin-off films, imitators and is regarded as a small classic of the modern era. However, while I thought the first was very well constructed, it just didn’t stick with me as either a frightening or memorable experience. By contrast, it’s 2016 sequel “The Conjuring 2”, scared me senseless, and has stuck with me as one of the better films in the haunted house genera. The premise is very similar to the first, as it revolves around a family haunted by vengeful spirits, and two paranormal investigators are sent by the church to dispel the demons plaguing their house. James Wan proves once again to be one of the greatest horror filmmakers of our time, as he takes old haunted house clichés, and gives them a tense new edge. If you think too hard, you’ll find plenty of details to pick at, but as an experience, this film builds a relentlessly haunting atmosphere, tells a very competent ghost story, and is chalk full of memorable visuals, like the rocking chair moving on it's own.

Also, there's stand out new spooky characters, like The Crooked Man and an unsettling nightmare involving a painting of a scary looking nun. It’s one of those scary movies that still leaves a cold chill in the air after it ends. The performances are all solid, especially from child-actress Madison Wolfe, who’s portrayal of the real life Janet Hodgson is one of the best the horror genera has to offer. In my opinion, her performances is on par with the original Exorcist, which I don’t say lightly.    

#7 “The Bride of Frankenstein” (1935) 

This movie is often regarded as not only one of the greatest horror sequels, but one of the all-time greatest movie sequels that stands on its own as a classic. There’s no denial there, this really is a sequel that out-dose the original, both in quality and in substance. Despite what the title may lead you to think, the actual bride doesn’t arrive on-screen until the very end of the film, and is only seen for a few minutes. Yet, she still has a big fan base, and has become an iconic movie monster. The main attraction of this film is the actual Frankenstein monster itself. Boris Karloff is back in the role, and turns on a far more effective, and emotional performance. The creature can now talk, and the film exposes both his monstrous side, and a rather sympathetic side. There’s a pivotal moment where it makes friends with a blind man who brings out a good side to the creature, and it might just be the most touching moment between man and monster to be viewed on screen. There’s also an awesome new evil doctor, a terrific score, some very impressive special effects, and some genuine chills. This is one old monster movie that has aged remarkably well, and is well worth checking out. 

#6 “The Curse of the Cat People” (1944) 

The original 1942 “Cat People” is my all-time favorite classic Black and White horror movie, which still holds up after all these years. It’s 1944 sequel titled “The Curse of the Cat People” surprisingly holds up very well too, but for completely different reasons. This is a rare horror movie sequel that drops the scary thrills of the original, and is more of an atmospheric fantasy with subtext. It’s very much a psychologically complex family film told as a ghost story for kids, and it takes the series into a new direction, while continuing both the story and developing all the main characters from the first film. It may seem like a bait and switch to go from a legit scary movie, to a child-hood fantasy, but this film makes that transition work seamlessly, and makes this sequel work as a fresh, and original experience on its own. I can’t say it’s quiet as good as the first, but defiantly stands apart as a really good film that would still be special even without being connected to the original.  

#5 “Gremlins 2: The New Batch” (1990) 

1984’s “Gremlins” was a surprise hit that has become a small classic in its own right, and while I also think it’s good, I’d also be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy the 1990 sequel more. I actually find this to be a very underappreciated sequel that might just be better than audiences give it credit for. You’d think that after the large fan base of the first “Gremlins”, the sequel would at least get some recognition. Well, then again, it’s not as subtle as the original, and is extremely over the top. It might just be the wildest sequel I’ve ever seen, full of forth-wall jokes, movie references, and self-paradise. Personally, that’s what I like about this film, as it’s just non-stop entertainment, and even builds on the original. We get a bunch of brand new gremlin creatures that keep things feeling fresh, and even the setting has gotten bigger, and better than before. If you can get passed its mind-numbing overtones, you might just be able to have a really fun time with this film.

#4 “Dracula has Risen from the Dead” (1968) 

Now it’s time for Dracula to make it on my list, and personally, this is my favorite movie to feature the titular vampire. “Dracula has Risen from the Dead” is the third entry in Hammers Dracula franchise, and while it’s not as classy as the first film, I honestly find it to be far superior. The plot for this sequel revolves around an Atheist who needs to rescue his love from the clutches of Dracula, but sense he doesn’t believe in God, holly objects have no effect on him. Even a stake through the heart can’t kill him. Thus, in order to defeat the evil of Dracula, he must go on a spiritual quest to find his faith in order to concur his demons, both figuratively and literally. Christopher Lee once again plays Dracula, and he’s awesome as always. However, the real strength of this film comes from our lead hero, and an underlining theme of discovering faith in order to concur evil. 

#3 “Evil Dead 2” (1987) 

Here’s yet another horror sequel that really needs no introduction. “Evil Dead 2” is widely regarded as not only superior to the first, but one of the great classic horror movies in it's own right. It takes all the basic conventions, atmosphere, visuals and set-up of the first, and ups it to 10. Usually too much of a good thing is what spoils sequels, but in this film, the increased special effects, and slapstick violence make it considerably more entertaining, and even more inventive then the original. Also, it’s in this sequel that Bruce Campbell’s character Ash emerged as one of the most awesome, and iconic horror movie anti-heroes of all time. There’s a stand-out scene in which Ash battles his possessed hand, which is one of the horror genera’s greatest moments. It’s just a perfect mix of action, horror and comedy, with brilliant cinematography, and film-making techniques on display.   

#2 “Aliens” (1986) 

For the record, this is actually my favorite sequel on the list, and one of my personal favorite movies. The only reason it’s not on the number one spot is because I always look back on “Aliens” as a Sci-Fi action movie before horror. Still, it’s been groped with horror movies before, and it truly is one of the best sequels the genera has to offer. At first, it just seems like a traditional fun monster movie with people trapped on an Alien planet, populated with terrifying monsters, but it feels like a much smarter film. The characters are all great, and you never want to see any of them get killed. These are people that you really latch onto, and the space marines themselves are so cool with all kinds of fascinating futuristic technology, weapons, and vehicles. Sigourney Weaver gives her usual great performance that’s natural, full of nerves energy, and she proved once and for all that woman can kick as much ass as any leading action star. The atmosphere is great, it can get really intense and suspenseful, with lots of thrilling action scenes, awesome visuals, and terrific characters help make this B monster movie an A+ masterpiece.

Before I reveal my #1 favorite, here are some quick Honorable Mentions … 
“Silence of the Lambs” (Yes, that movie was actually a sequel to a film called “Manhunter”)

“Creep Show 2”

“The Mummy Returns”

“A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors”

"Son of Frankenstein" 

#1 “Wes Craven's New Nightmare” (1994)

 This is the seventh entry in the “Nightmare on Elm Street” series, and a rare sequel that I honestly think out matches the original. This film actually steps outside of the horror universe, and focuses on the actual film crew, and actors as there making a new “Nightmare on Elm Street” film. Heather Langenkamp plays herself, while also playing the role of Nancy. During production of the film, lots of strange things start to happen to her, and she begins to wonder if the character of Freddy Krueger is actually coming to life, or maybe she’s going insane after staring in so many of these Freddy films. It’s an interesting study of how acting in a horror film can leave a twisted impact on the actors or the crew involved. Rather than focusing on a cast of disposable characters, all the attention is on Heather Langenkamp, who carries this film beautifully. The character of Freddy Krueger has also never been more frightening or more interesting then as portrayed in this film. His makeup is much scarier, and the dream sequences are haunting spectacles. While the original “Nightmare on Elm Street” is obviously a classic, I personally think that its seventh sequel “New Nightmare” is far superior, and probably the greatest horror movie sequel ever made. 

Thanks for reading my Horror Movie countdown, and continue to enjoy the Movies you Love!