8 Movie Sequels That Cost LESS Than The Original (But Were Better)

This may seem sacrilege to say, but Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a superior film to its predecessor, and that's down to two monumental things: character and villain.

Guardians (2014) is undeniably a phenomenal film, a fresh and unique addition to the MCU with a funny and affecting story. But it lacks a good villain (his name was Ronan, since you've likely forgotten) and it doesn't have quite the emotional punch that its sequel has in spades. Sure, it's touching in all the right places, funny and action-packed, but Guardians 2 has all of that and more.

Guardians 2 takes the team through some actual missions in the film's opening act, allowing fans to see them working as a team on the daily, and then plonks them on a bizarre new planet where god-like deity Ego (Kurt Russel) reveals himself as Quill's (Chris Pratt) father. Along the way, Nebula (Karen Gillan) takes on a more substantial role as she tries to best her sister (Zoe Saldana), and Yondu (Michael Rooker) tries to right some wrongs.

The first film cost around 232 million to produce. Guardians 2 cost 200, and with its added focus on character development, a staggeringly great villain, an insight into the pasts of Quill, Yondu, Nebula and Gamora, and of course Baby Groot running off with a big bomb, it's just a more effective and enjoyable film, and plays a much larger role in the greater MCU.