11 Horror Sequels That Were Actually Better Than The Original

This one will be divisive, as the debate about whether Alien or Aliens is better is a long-running one, but Aliens arguably has a lot going for it.

Aliens is an outstanding film. A no-holds-barred, relentlessly intense thrill ride, this is among the most exciting movies ever made and might be the finest film of director James Cameron's career, but there's a very important thing which elevates it above Alien and that's the film's heart.

The original Alien has a fairly straightforward script and arguably has weak characterization; save for Ripley and Ash, none of the characters are interesting and most of the performances are nothing more than OK. In contrast, Aliens has a great cast, far more interesting characters and far more pathos, with the relationship between Ripley and Newt being beautifully done.

It's extremely impressive that, while mainly an action film, the film is also one which touches viewers emotionally and doesn't forget to find humanity within all the action.

Thanks to this mix of action and art, Aliens is among the best blockbusters ever made and it is arguably superior to Alien. Alien is visually better, but Aliens is better-written and thus has the edge.