10 Best Movie Sequels That Took Decades To Arrive - Ranked

10. Superman Returns (2006)

The Previous Film: Superman II (1980)

While Superman Returns could be considered a sequel to 1987's Superman IV: The Quest For Peace, the fact that it ignores the events of that film - as well as Superman III - means that it's only a proper sequel to 1980's Superman II.

Though it seems like everyone hates it nowadays, Returns was generally well-liked when it first came out. The movie boasts a 75-percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and for all its flaws, its efforts to deepen and add complexity to a potentially one-note character should be commended, as should its stunning visuals.

Yes, it is about 20 minutes too long, the suit looks a little hokey by modern standards, and Spacey's Lex Luthor is cartoonish to the point of being laughable, but Superman Returns has a big, beating heart, and it nails the feeling of hope that Superman - and his "S" - stands for.