After waiting three decades for a sequel, scoring Tom Cruise the highest domestic opening of his revered career. It also received near-universal acclaim from critics, who considered it a vast improvement over its predecessor.
Like Maverick, many legacy sequels debuted to strong reviews from critics. The best even managed to sur their predecessors critically, a hard feat to accomplish these days. These legacy projects prove that a sequel can be a worthy enterprise, so long as there's a great script and a genuine desire to do something new with the original property.
Jurassic World (2015) - 71%
Rent On Apple TV
The first entry in a legacy trilogy that's about to end, Jurassic World stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard in a new dinosaur-related adventure. The film sees the ambitious Jurassic World come to life and fully functional, but things go south after the creation of a new dangerous species, the Indominus Rex.
Jurassic World received mainly positive reviews from critics, who praised the visual effects and thrilling action setpieces but criticized the contrived story and characterization of the two protagonists. Jurassic World was also a box office success, grossing $1.6 billion worldwide.
Doctor Sleep (2019) - 78%
Stream On HBO Max
Ewan McGregor stepped into Danny Torrance's shoes for 2019's The Shining. The film follows Danny as he connects with a young girl who can also "shine," forcing them to a battle against the evil True Knot, a cult that feeds on children with the shining ability.
Doctor Sleep received positive reviews, with particular praise going to McGregor and co-star Rebecca Ferguson's performances and the script. However, comparisons with the original affected its performance at the box office and critical reception.
Mary Poppins Returns (2018) - 80%
Stream On Disney+
2018's Mary Poppins Returns follows George Banks and his family as they encounter financial hardships following his wife's death, prompting the return of the titular magical nanny. Emily Blunt takes over the iconic role of Mary Poppins, with a ing cast that includes Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw, and Emily Mortimer.
The film received positive reviews from critics and significant praise went to Blunt's performance, although some took issue with the film's overreliance on the original. Blunt received several nominations for her performance, including the Golden Globe, SAG, and Critics' Choice Awards, but the Oscars ultimately snubbed her.
Bill & Ted Face The Music (2020) - 82%
Stream On Amazon Prime, Paramount+, & Epix
The career of Bill & Ted Face the Music. The film follows the titular characters attempting to write a song that unites humanity before the destruction of space-time.
Bill & Ted Face the Music received acclaim from critics, who praised Reeves and Winter's performances and the film's humor and nostalgia. Unfortunately, it opened shortly before the Covid-19 lockdown began, which severely undercut its box office performance.
Blade Runner 2049 (2017) - 88%
Stream On Netflix & HBO Max
Harrison Ford returned to one of his most iconic roles in Denis Villeneuve's Blade Runner 2049. The story follows K, played by Ryan Gosling, a replicant blade runner who stumbles upon a secret with the power to destabilize society. Ana de Armas, Jared Leto, and Dave Bautista played ive roles.
Critics and audiences widely consider Blade Runner 2049 one of Denis Villeneuve's best directorial efforts. The film received acclaim for Villeneuve's direction, Roger Deakins' cinematography, the visual effects, and the faithfulness to the original. However, it disappointed at the box office, grossing only $259 million worldwide against a production budget of $150 million.
The Color Of Money (89%)
Stream On Amazon Prime, Paramount+, & Epix
The Color of Money starred Paul Newman, reprising his role as "Fast Eddie" Felson, 25 years after first playing it in 1961's The Hustler. Tom Cruise co-starred as Vincent Lauria, a young and charismatic pool player who becomes Eddie's protegé.
Directed by Martin Scorsese, The Color of Money received acclaim from critics. Newman earned rave reviews for his performance and claimed the Academy Award for Best Actor, his first win after seven nominations. The film, which premiered the same year as Top Gun, contributed to Cruise's rise as Hollywood's ultimate leading man.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) - 93%
Stream On Disney+
J. J. Abrams' relaunch of the The Force Awakens. The film follows Rey, a young woman who s forces with a former stormtrooper and a resistance pilot to locate Luke Skywalker, finding Han Solo and Chewbacca on the journey.
The Force Awakens received acclaim at the time of its release, with major praise going to Abrams' direction, the screenplay, and the performances of its new and legacy cast. It was also a box office success, becoming one of the best films to gross over a billion dollars. However, the film's standing decreased in the following years, with many considering it a carbon copy of the original 1977 film.
Creed (2015) - 95%
Rent On Vudu
Sylvester Stallone returned to his most iconic role with Ryan Coogler's 2015 sports drama Creed. The plot follows Adonis Johnson, Apollo Creed's son, who begins training under the legendary Rocky Balboa.
Creed was Michael B. Jordan's breakout role, turning him into a big star. The film received near-universal acclaim, with many pointing to Stallone's performance, calling it the best of his career. Stallone won a Golden Globe and received an Oscar nomination in the ing category but lost the award to Mark Rylance.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022) - 96%
See In Theaters
Tom Cruise returned to the role that made him a star with 2022's Top Gun: Maverick. The film centers on Maverick's return to the Top Gun program to train a new crew of young pilots, including the son of his deceased best friend, Goose. The cast includes an ensemble of young performers, including Miles Teller and Glen Powell, and veteran actors like Jennifer Connelly and Jon Hamm.
Top Gun: Maverick received near-universal acclaim. Critics and fans consider Maverick vastly superior to the original Top Gun. The film received praise for its thrilling action sequences, faithfulness to the original, and emotional gravitas.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) - 97%
Rent On Apple TV
George Miller's the best and most intelligent action movies of all time and arguably the best film in the series. The plot takes place in a post-apocalyptic desert wasteland and follows Max Rockatansky and Imperator Furiosa, who forces to rebel against the cult leader Immortan Joe.
Starring Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, Fury Road received universal acclaim from critics, who praised the film's themes, action sequences, performances, script, direction, and production values. Fury Road received 10 Oscar nominations and won six, cementing itself as one of the best legacy sequels in cinematic history.
