10 Sci-Fi Movie Sequels That Are Practically Flawless
The first ones were good, but these follow-ups were out of this world.
Sci-fi cinema is fantastic, isn't it?
Not only has it given us some of the most enchanting worlds and loveable characters of all time, but it's also helped us to explore our own lives through the medium of grand space operas and other-worldly conflicts.
A great sci-fi movie is a real treat and a great sci-fi sequel is an even nicer one. It's always a welcome surprise when a second film is just as good as the first and it's even better when a sequel surpasses its original.
In a genre dominated by series, franchises, spin-offs, and reboots, it's kind of hard to narrow down exactly what a sequel is. So, for this list, we've taken it to mean the second film in a series, whether that's an original run of films or any of its follow-ups.
From intergalactic wars with the fate of the universe at stake, to the life of one man wandering around the Australian outback, these ten movies all have one thing in common and that's that they stand out as shining examples of how to do a sci-fi sequel right.
10. Ghost In The Shell 2: Innocence
Released nine years after Mamoru Oshii's first Ghost in the Shell movie, Innocence (as it was known solely as in Japan) continues the adventures of Batou and Motoko Kusanagi in the futuristic world of cyberpunk Japan.
Produced in part by Studio Ghibli, Innocence had big shoes to fill in the wake of its predecessor. The original Ghost in the Shell shattered numerous conventions surrounding feature length animations and has been cited as an inspiration to both James Cameron and Matrix directors The Wachowskis.
Not even a dodgy Scarlett Johansson casting could tarnish its legacy.
Based loosely on the manga of the same name, Innocence continues to expand on the philosophy of the first movie, exploring themes like the nature of humanity and the impact of advance technology on society.
It was extremely well-received, winning the Nihon SF TaishÅ Award (a top sci-fi prize in Japan) and becoming the first anime to compete for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
Critics praised it for its adult content, stunning visuals, and challenging ideas. It has been labelled by some as one of the best animes ever and is considered a worthy follow-up to its ground-breaking original.