Film opinion: Do sequels ever truly live up to original features?
Nothing quite excites us movie fanatics like finding out our favourite movie is getting a sequel.
Whether it’s a follow-up to a childhood classic or a long-awaited next chapter in a blockbuster franchise, there’s an immediate buzz that fills Twitter feeds, fan forums, and group chats.
Film News Blitz’s Lamiya Huda explores the dynamics and talking points surrounding sequels and their original releases.
Do sequels ever live up to the hype?
Underneath all the excitement, there’s always a flicker of doubt about whether a sequel can live up to an original.
Sequels have become a staple of modern cinema.
In contrast to the originals, sequels have a built-in audience but that comes with built-in pressure.
Franchises like Star Wars, Avatar, Scream, Jaws, and Mamma Mia! have stretched across decades, shifting tones and styles.
Some evolve impressively. Others… fall apart.
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Original films usually break through because they offer something fresh — a new world, a strong lead, or a bold take on a genre.
Sequels, though, often double down on what already worked.
The trope of characters returning from the dead with eerily familiar plotlines, as an example.
It’s no surprise audiences sometimes feel like they’re watching the same movie in a different costume.
This causes movie franchises like Shrek and Ice Age to slowly lose their hype and authenticity as the franchise continues, rehashing the same tropes such as the characters' lives experiencing parenthood.
Let's look back at some originals and sequels
Jaws, the original, was a tense, slow-burning thriller, but its follow-up, Jaws: The Revenge, had a psychic shark following a grieving family across the ocean — unintentionally hilarious rather than scary.
Scream began as a slasher satire. Now six films in, it’s retreading into old grounds with diminishing returns.
And while Thor: Love and Thunder had flashes of fun, its chaotic tone and forced humour made it feel more like a parody of itself rather than a proper sequel.
That’s not to say sequels can’t be great.
Films like The Godfather Part II, The Dark Knight, Paddington 2 and Before Sunset prove that continuing a story can work when there's intention behind it.
These sequels didn't just mimic the original — they expanded it meaningfully.
Reboots and remakes
Reboots and remakes are also vital for reviving a good franchise.
With modern audiences expecting more inclusive storytelling, we’ve seen more diverse casts, gender-swapped leads, and updated social messaging.
When done well, this can add depth. But when it feels tokenistic, it often triggers backlash.
Ghostbusters (2016) had a great cast but a weak script. The Little Mermaid (2023) had more discourse over casting than the film itself.
Sequels also try to stay “current” by going meta, inserting social commentary, or trying to mirror internet culture.
That only works if there’s solid writing behind it.
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Otherwise, it becomes surface-level noise, easily hijacked by culture war arguments.
In today’s hyper-connected world, even an actor’s off-screen presence can affect a film’s reception.
Fans now pay close attention to personal politics, interviews, and controversies.
The Fantastic Beasts franchise struggled not just due to story issues but also because of public backlash involving its stars and creator.
The line between entertainment and real-life persona is thinner than ever.
What does all of this mean for the future?
At the end of the day, sequels aren’t going anywhere — and honestly, neither are we.
When sequels work, they remind us why we fell in love with these stories in the first place.
But when they don’t, they’re a loud reminder that not every franchise needs a comeback tour.
Still, we’ll always continue watching.
Whether it’s because of our curiosity, nostalgia, or just the fear of missing out on the group chat.
We’ll keep turning up to see what Hollywood serves next.
And sometimes, we’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Other times, we’ll leave the cinema wondering why we just paid to watch a storyline we already saw in various other fonts.
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