The 23 Best Sequels of the Last 20 Years

Sequels and Hollywood go together like peas and carrots. Here are the 20 best sequels to hit theaters over the last 20 years.

'Die Hard: With a Vengeance' (1995)

The “Die Hard 2” seemed afraid to attempt. It shifts blue collar hero John McClane from Los Angeles to New York, presents him with another larger-than-life challenge, and gives Bruce Willis a worthy costar in Samuel L. Jackson.

'Star Trek: First ' (1996)

Six years after Captain Picard was assimilated by the Borg, "First " picks up where "Best of Both Worlds" left off -- delivering the "TNG" cast's best feature film. Impressive special effects, and a very dark narrative that sees Picard embrace his inner Captain Ahab as he battles the Borg Queen, make "First " a high point of the venerable franchise.

'X2: X-Men United' (2003)

The whole X-Men series is an allegory about difference, about how those who don't (or can't) conform are made to feel freakish. But "X2," the most emotionally resonant chapter in the series, also shows how the various misfits among the mutant heroes find common ground and common purpose. (Hence the subtitle "X-Men United.") And the ending is as poignant as you could wish for in a movie about spandex-clad superheroes.

'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' (2003)

The first two “Harry Potter” movies were perfectly enjoyable adaptations of the source material -- charming but safe. Luckily, the franchise went through a major overhaul, thanks to new director Alfonso Cuaron, who brought a darker, more playful tone to the Potter-verse. His film is one of the most emotionally charged of the series, as evidenced by strong performances from from Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.

'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' (2003)

The forever-long ending aside, this threequel is a fitting end to the epic “LOTR” trilogy. Everything comes to a head, as Aragorn embraces his destiny, while Whiny McWhinerson (Frodo) and Sam complete the long, arduous trek to Mount Doom. The Battle of Gondor sequence remains one of the most epic confrontations ever put on the big screen.

'Spider-Man 2' (2004)

Sam Raimi’s hit sequel doubles-down on its hero never catching a break, resulting in an effortless escalation of stakes and tension for everyone’s favorite wallcrawler. The exciting set pieces are bolstered by then-benchmark setting CG, as Peter Parker struggles with who he is versus who wants to be in between kick-punching Doc Ock. Before “Dark Knight” came along, this was considered the best comic book movie ever. For some fans, it still is.

'The Bourne Supremacy' (2004)

“The Bourne Supremacy” does everything a good sequel should. It takes all the elements of “The Bourne Identity” and makes them bigger and better. The action is more satisfying. The story is more personal, and at times, more painful. Even Matt Damon seems more comfortable in his role as the amnesic secret agent on the run from his government and still seeking answers about his past. There’s an almost “ronin samurai” feel to the proceedings, especially at the end, where Bourne has just shaky-cam fought his way through the bad guys just so he can apologize to the daughter of the man he killed.

'Kill Bill: Vol. 2' (2004)

2004 was the year sequels kicked all the ass, apparently. While “Vol. 2” is technically the second half of Tarantino’s whole bloody affair, the film was released (and treated) like a sequel, as The Bride (Uma Thurman) concluded her bloody vendetta. As strong as the action scenes are, “Vol. 2” is at its best when it’s just two people talking – especially during a climatic scene where Bill explains to Beatrix Kiddo the differences between Superman and Clark Kent.

'Rocky Balboa' (2006)

A sixth Rocky movie sounds more like fodder for a fake movie spoof on “The Critic” than a real, viable film. Yet, surprisingly, this sequel proves to be one of the better additions to the franchise. “Rocky Balboa” abandons the flamboyance of the '80s sequels (and whatever the hell “Rocky V” was) for a more grounded and somber affair tethered to the tone of the first “Rocky” films. It shows us a grizzled Rocky Balboa in the twilight of his boxing career, still thirsty for one more shot at glory.

'The Bourne Ultimatum' (2007)

Director Paul Greengrass’s second “Bourne” film is arguably his best; it exhibits all of the franchise’s best qualities -- the character-driven action scenes, the conspiracy and intrigue, the globe-trotting conflict -- but refines them. The result was an unrelenting, “thinking man’s” thriller that never lets up, cementing Matt Damon's Jason Bourne as a worthy contemporary of James Bond.

'The Dark Knight' (2008)

Christopher Nolan goes bigger and bolder for this sequel to "Batman Begins," which introduced a gripping new take on Joker (played magnificently by the late Heath Ledger). It also follows the trinity of Batman, Commissioner Gordon and Harvey Dent through their tragically-doomed crusade to save Gotham.

'Toy Story 3' (2010)

The best threequel ever made, “Toy Story 3” follows a plotline similar to that of the previous film while exploring very emotional and relatable themes as Woody and the gang question their worth after Andy prepares for college. The laughs are inspired and the character dynamics have never been stronger. And if you’re not sobbing during that incinerator scene, you’re some kind of pod person.

‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Parts 1 & 2’ (2010, 2011)

While we're not thrilled that the final two “Harry Potter” films jump-started the trend of stretching an extra sequel out of big-budget franchises, in this case the treatment was well-deserved. The two “Deathly Hallows” films capped off Harry's journey in grand fashion. Now in self-imposed exile from Hogwarts, Harry and his friends traveled Europe and confronted one threat after another in their quest to finally rid the world of Lord Voldemort. Together, these sequels offered real emotional payoff for a story that spanned a decade.

'Skyfall' (2012)

One year after “Ghost Prots” delivered a franchise high for the “Mission” films, “Skyfall” did the same for Bond, James Bond. Director Sam Mendes mixes the Bond movie staples with a very Christopher Nolan-esque commitment to grounded storytelling, resulting in the “The Dark Knight” of the venerable series. Daniel Craig has never been better as 007, and Javier Bardem is scary-good as the villain.

'Iron Man 3' (2013)

Largely ignoring the misfire that was “Iron Man 2,” director and co-writer Shane Black delivers a very inventive, and very funny, sequel that finds Tony Stark struggling with post-“Avengers” PTSD and issues of self-worth. The latter work themselves out in truly entertaining ways despite the film’s mandate to keep Tony out of the suit fans pay to see. But they paid a ton to see him do the other thing anyway, giving Marvel its best sequel until 2014’s “Winter Soldier.”

'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol' (2011)

Brad Bird turned to this venerable franchise to make his live-action directorial debut, giving it a much-needed -- and appreciated -- shot in the arm as a result. The action scenes play out like big-budget Buster Keaton routines, the character dynamics are crazy fun and watching Tom Cruise jump and swing from the tallest building in the world during the now-iconic sequence never gets old. What “Ghost Prots” lacks in of a compelling villain, it more than makes up for with its IMAX visuals and pure entertainment factor.

'Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation' (2015)

If there is a more fun time at the movies watching Tom Cruise run, punch, or almost drown then we don't wanna know about it.

'Before Midnight' (2013)

Arguably the most unlikely trilogy in movie history, Richard Linklater’s “Before Midnight” furthers the always compelling relationship between Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy’s characters, who have gone from wistful and flirty in “Before Sunrise” to jaded and married with children. The film is unflinching with its approach to this seemingly downward spiral of a marriage, and often hard to watch as the characters say the things we think but never do. If only more sequels were this great.

'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' (2014)

Holy sh!@, this movie. It’s “Three Days of the Condor” starring Cap, Black Widow, and an eff-ton of explosions and fist fights. But all the action is in service of character, with the former never overshadowing the latter. The puzzle-plotting and grounded (for a comic book movie) set pieces marks a significant tonal shift for the MCU, and first-time feature directors Joe and Anthony Russo more than pull it off. Can’t wait to see what they do with “Civil War” and “Avengers: Infinity War.”

'X-Men: Days of Future Past' (2014)

The sixth and most recent “X-Men” installment combined the original and “First Class” casts for one satisfying, time travel-fueled adventure. “Days of Future Past” offered a fitting farewell to actors like Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, while cementing the likes of James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Jennifer Lawrence as the new faces of the franchise. Plus, it set the stage for another promising sequel in the form of “X-Men: Apocalypse.”

'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015)

It’s more than just “one long car chase.” It’s world-building as an art form, with each scene and character in director George Miller’s “shiny and chrome” masterpiece giving the story the exact amount of whatever it needs to deliver on both an emotional and visceral level. The film’s live-action stunt sequences serve as a middle-finger to those who continue to fill multiplexes with blockbusters drunk on CG. “Fury Road” captures the glory days of in-camera filmmaking while pointing toward a future where green screen becomes as distant a memory as trees and television are in the post-apocalyptic landscape of this instant classic.