20 Greatest Direct Sequels Ever Made

16. Superman II

Back To The Future II
Warner Bros.

Arguably the last great movie to feature the Big Blue Boy Scout depending on which side of the highly-divisive Superman Returns/Man of Steel line you fall on, Superman II somehow manages to deliver everything that a great sequel is supposed to, despite being one of the most notoriously troubled productions in history.

While not perfect by any means, the sequel increases both the scope and the stakes for the Man of Steel, with replacement director Richard Lester's decision to add more humor into the mix adding an extra lightness of touch that complements both the work of the cast and the effects-heavy action sequences greatly, with Christopher Reeve cementing his position as cinema's definitive Superman and Terence Stamp's Zod providing one of the most iconic comic book movie villains of all time.

Contributor

I don't do social media, so like or follow me in person but please maintain a safe distance or the authorities will be notified. Don't snap me though, I'll probably break. I was once labelled a misogynist on this very site in a twenty paragraph-long rant for daring to speak ill of the Twilight franchise. I stand by what I said, it's crap.