Every once in a while, a Movie sequel or remake surpasses the original film. After polling the internet, “Name a single movie where the sequel or remake was better than the original?” Here are the top-voted responses.

1. The Dark Knight (2008)

“The Dark Knight had so many more moving pieces. They were beautifully done, but you could argue that the Joker was the main character, not Batman,” one suggested. Another confessed, “I have no attachment to Batman, grew up a Captain America fan and Marvel in general, but The Dark Knight is the best superhero movie, full stop.”

2. Spider-Man 2 (2004)

Someone stated, “Following up with Spider-Man 2. Superhero sequels are the exception to the rule because the first one is usually the origin story. For example, Batman Begins spends half the movie not being Batman.” “Spider-Man 2 elevated the superhero movie genre. It explored the human side of being a superhero,” a second added. 

3. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

“Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Greatest action film of all time” claimed one. Another argued, “Terminator 2 is in the conversation for the most remarkable film of all time. Period.”

4. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

“The Empire Strikes Back has to be the ultimate answer, right? Interestingly enough, it's the one film in the trilogy directed by Irvin Kirshner, and George Lucas purportedly considers it the weakest of the three,” shared one.

5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)

“Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” another noted. “The real testament to this film's greatness is that you don't need to have watched any Star Trek before it to be blown away. I took my significant other to see a showing at Montalban's theater, and she loved it, having never seen an original Star Trek episode or film prior.”

6. The Thing (1982)

“The Thing with Kurt Russell. John Carpenter doesn't always strike gold, but when he does, he nails it. I rewatch The Thing almost every year. Top five GOAT horror flicks easily,” one suggested. Another concurred, “The most obvious answer to the remake question.”

7. Paddington 2 (2017)

“Paddington 2. I say that in the knowledge that the original Paddington is a work of art,” shared one. Another confessed, “I cried through the entire thing. It made me want to be a better man.”

8. The Rescuers Down Under (1990)

“The Rescuers Down Under,” one replied. “A film with no business getting a sequel, in which the sequel had no business being that good. You can see where the animation budget exploded.” 

“It was the first film to use Disney's new digital animation system. The Little Mermaid had a scene using it at the end as a test, but most of it was still hand-inked and painted. I'm sure they wanted to go all out with it,” another suggested. 

9. Ocean's 11 (2001)

“Ocean's Eleven. The original with The Rat Pack was not great. People don't realize that it was a remake. The original was from 1960. As someone who loves a good heist movie and who loves old stuff, I said, heck yeah, and wasted my time watching it. I mean it. It wasted my time. Very disappointing,” someone shared. 

10. Dredd (2012)

“Dredd with Karl Urban is way better than Sylvester Stallone's version,” one suggested. “The worst thing about Urban's is that it just leaves you wanting a sequel. I couldn't believe how much I enjoyed it,” confessed another. 

11. Evil Dead II (1987)

“Evil Dead 2. I know this is the film I've watched more than any other. It's just a flat-out masterpiece. Of course, I still have an enormous love for the first one, but what they did with the second is so creative and expanded the Ash character so much, and it's just such an amazing physical performance.” 

12. The Muppets Christmas Carol (1992)

“The Muppets Christmas Carol,” said one. “Finally, an indisputable fact. There are a bunch of decent to good versions of A Christmas Carol, but for some reason, the best version is the one with singing puppets,” another replied.

“It's not the singing muppets alone that made it. It's the stark contrast between the silliness of the muppets and Michael Caine playing Scrooge as serious as a heart attack,” a third argued.

13. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

“Captain America: The Winter Soldier is the best Marvel movie ever. Even if you're not into Marvel, this movie is a great action movie,” claimed one. “I think the Captain America films are the most consistent series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe,” added another.

14. Shrek 2 (2004)

“Shrek 2 is a hill that I will die on,” stated one. “I'm convinced people think the first is better just because the Shrek concept was new and the first is more nostalgic. It was a good movie, but Shrek 2 was a masterpiece.”

15. The Suicide Squad (2021)

“The Suicide Squad with Idris Elba and John Cena destroys Suicide Squad with Will Smith. The first one was like, ‘Here's our attempt to rip off Guardians of the Galaxy! It's a bunch of wacky jerk characters you've never heard of and a lot of licensed music, and it's more of a comedy than our other superhero movies!'

And then the sequel was, ‘That didn't go as well as we wanted, so this time we literally hired the guy who made Guardians of the Galaxy to do it right!”

16. Dune (2021)

“The Dune remake was much better,” one replied. “Oh, David Lynch's Dune isn't without its charms. It's a very odd movie,” a second argued. Finally, a third added, “Totally agree. It's not as weird and fun as the original version, but it makes more sense regarding the book.”

17. Addams Family Values (1993)

“Addams Family Values. Joan Cusack deserved a supporting actress Oscar nomination. Her performance today still holds up 100%. She's incredible, and Debbie is such a great character,” one suggested. Another added, “This was too far down. it took all the characters in great new directions. The Debbie and summer camp storylines are both fantastic.”

18. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Someone confessed, “Mad Max: Fury Road. I went into that movie without expectations, which completely blew my mind. It's my favorite movie in the past decade.” “Me too,” another admitted. “I watch it about once per year, and each time I watch it, my jaw is on the floor for the entire movie.”

19. Casino Royale (2006)

“Casino Royale,” shared one. “Possibly a hot take, but the intro song (You Know My Name by Chris Cornell) is easily my favorite of the James Bond intros.” “Agreed,” said another. “I loved that they used that song as his theme throughout the movie and didn't play the classic James Bond theme until the end.”

20. Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

Someone suggested “Little Shop of Horrors.” “I never even knew there was a 1960 version. The 1986 version is a total classic,” admitted another. Finally, a third argued, “If we want to get super technical, the 1986 movie is based on the 1982 off-Broadway musical based on the 1960 movie.”

21. Logan (2017)

“I feel bad for The Wolverine since Logan so overshadowed it. Don't get me wrong, Logan is the superior film, but The Wolverine significantly improved over X-Men Origins: Wolverine. It's just that Logan was so good. Hugh Jackman is Wolverine,” one replied.

22. The Mummy (1999)

“The Mummy with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz is the superior Mummy film. Another added, “Also if we are talking about the Fraser/Weisz continuity, I think The Mummy Returns improves on the original as well.”

23. The Fly (1986)

“The Fly,” one replied. “From what should have been a Twilight Zone episode to one of the best pieces of body horror in history AND brought us, Jeff Goldblum.” “Jeff Goldblum's performance in The Fly is the male equivalent of Toni Colette's in Hereditary,” a second suggested. 

24. Rush Hour 2 (1998)

“Rush Hour 2. The original Rush Hour was slightly more serious, with hilarious moments like Lethal Weapon. However, Rush Hour 2 was the perfect balance of comedy and action,” shared one. “Absolutely. The chemistry, combined with Vegas hijinks and great villains, made for a rewatchable movie,” a third added. 

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25. The Godfather Part II (1977)

“The Godfather Part II. Why on earth did I have to scroll this far to find the number one answer,” someone asked. Another agreed, “It is widely considered that The Godfather Part II is the best movie ever made. So it shouldn't be this far down the list!” Finally, a third stated, “I agree. I scrolled to almost madness. It's the epitome of a sequel surpassing its original!”

This thread inspired this post.

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