25 Underrated Horror Sequels That Deserve More Respect

Summary

• Horror sequels can either replicate the original’s success or take a different direction, but all contribute to the genre’s evolution.
• Films like Jaws 2, Child’s Play 3, and Predator 2 show how sequels can maintain the essence of the original while introducing new elements.
• Underrated sequels like Return of the Living Dead III and Hellraiser III offer unique takes that appeal to fans seeking a fresh perspective.

Horror movies have a long history of producing sequels. Seems like audiences just can’t get enough of a good monster, and every horror fan can name at least a few of the best sequels. Evil Dead II, Aliens, Nightmare on Elm Street 3, Scream 2, the list of sequels that managed to build upon and even outpace the original is long and impressive. Add to all that, from the late ’70s on, slashers have been a staple of mainstream cinema. And, as with any genre of film (if not even more so), when a movie is successful it breeds continuation.

And then there are the other sequels. Keep in mind, some of the more famous horror franchises are 8 or 9 entries deep at this point, if not more, and they can’t all be winners. Yet, while there are truly terrible sequels out there, these don’t deserve the label even if they are also ascribed it.

25 Jaws 2 (1978)

Roy Scheider notoriously didn’t want to come back for Jaws 2, but a contract made it happen, and thank goodness for that. The average moviegoer doesn’t ever need to watch the third and fourth installments, but the first two are must-views. Naturally, the original Jaws isn’t just the best of its series, it has an arguable right to the title of ‘Best Movie of All Time.’ But Jaws 2 continues to do much of what made the original film work so well.

What Makes It Great?

The shark is seen a bit more (and, admittedly, looks way cheaper, though the burn is a nice touch), but otherwise, there’s still much attention being paid to tension-building. Furthermore, everything related to Brody (firing at a school of fish as tourists scream, getting the photo developed, getting fired) works and is just as entertaining as the third act’s slasher film with a shark vibe. The audience had already seen the shark, so Jaws 2 faced an uphill battle in being as scary as Jaws, but it does make the effort; for instance, in the scene with the dead orca. Stream on Max.

24 Damien: Omen II (1978)

With a much higher body count, Damien: Omen II can often feel like a slashery step down from the intelligent original. And, admittedly, it is a step-down. But it’s a suitably atmospheric step-down nonetheless. And, until 2024’s The First Omen, it was the second-best of the bunch.

But It Works Though, Right?

There’s no better way to make a sequel to a movie that doesn’t really warrant one than Damien. Creative (including in its kills) and led by William Holden and Lee Grant, the creators of Damien: Omen II made a lot of good decisions en route to its release. This is even if it’s nowhere near as brilliant, thoughtful, or surprising as the original. Stream on Hulu.

23 Friday the 13th Part III (1982)

While the Friday the 13th films have never exactly been light in tone, they’re typically accessible on the macro-scale by design. But, there are a few exceptions, and the first one came with Friday the 13th Part III, which replicates what made the first two work but adds in some sick little twists (for instance, one of Jason’s victims in this film is an expectant mother, the first and last time that’d be the case in a Jason film).

Why Is It the Underrated One of the Iconic First Four?

Friday the 13th Part III is not seen in the same light as the first two or The Final Chapter, and to be fair, it does hit a little differently. But, once one gets past the worse-than-usual acting (particularly from lead Dana Kimmell), they’ll come to realize that the third film is bar none the scariest of the entire franchise, and it without a doubt is the most important. After all, Jason gets his mask. Stream on Max.

22 Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)

Halloween III: Season of the Witch is a minor horror classic with no relation to Michael Myers outside the holiday in the title (and a televised ad for the original film, an early example of meta in a mainstream movie). Yet, it’s still part of the IP, and in that regard, Halloween III is a majorly underrated part at that.

Has It Gotten Any Credit Over the Years?

Admittedly, Season of the Witch has had its profile expanded in recent years, but it’s not enough. Tommy Lee Wallace’s film is an inventive and intermittently legitimately frightening oddball movie with charm to spare. Not to mention, it was and remains the great Tom Atkins’ best role. Stream on Apple TV+.

21 A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge (1985)

After director Wes Craven’s seminal A Nightmare on Elm Street, the slasher subgenre found itself with some new life injected. But, with such an inventive concept, it can be tough to know where to go. This is especially true when it comes time to write the first sequel, and it does show.

Why Was It Deemed a Disappointment?

In the case of A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge, the tactics were to toy with the universe logic a bit more (there’s a reason Freddy hasn’t popped up in any more non-dream pool parties since this film, though the scene works), become a gay allegory, and try to give Freddy some more personality. For the most part, it works like a charm. Freddy’s Revenge isn’t the scariest installment of the franchise, but it certainly has that ’80s slasher charm and an absolutely killer opening. Stream on Apple TV+.

20 Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning (1985)

Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning is a strange monster of a Friday the 13th film. 1984’s Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter had a title that was nothing more than a joke, especially considering there’s never been a quicker turnaround for the franchise than from parts four to five. And, frankly, the rush job shows. But, there’s also an argument to be made that A New Beginning captured the spirit of the first four films better than any installment that followed.

Why Wasn’t It Properly Appreciated?

It was both a case of too much in too little time and a case of diminishing returns. Not to mention, having an imposter Jason in the film was always going to be a letdown after his grandiose death in The Final Chapter. And, yet, there are a couple of really solid kills, a pair of likable characters, and a bargain bin vibe that’s both effective and logical when one realizes the film was directed by someone used to helming pornos (not unlike the original film’s Sean S. Cunningham). Stream on Max.

19 Creepshow 2 (1987)

The original Creepshow was the ultimate merging of director George A. Romero and author Stephen King’s sensibilities. Each of its five stories is terrific, though to varying degrees. They’re also never anything less than nostalgically endearing.

Is It as Good as the Original?

Creepshow 2, with its noticeably lower budget and scant three stories, is a step-down. But, it’s good that it exists, because now audiences can watch it right after the original. And, much to Creepshow 2‘s credit, they can do so because the sequel feels very much in line with the original. Is the creativity at the same level? No. But, each of the film’s three stories has its merits, especially “The Raft.” Stream on Tubi or Prime Video.

18 Critters 2: The Main Course (1988)

Frequent Stephen King adaptor Mick Garris made his directorial debut with Critters 2: The Main Course, and suffice it to say he did a great job. The original Critters did much to separate itself from Gremlins (it was more coincidence than anything, both films were in development at the same time, unlike low-rent copycat stuff such as Hobgoblins which came in their wake), and The Main Course does that even more so, much to its benefit. For instance, the giant rolling Crite that dominates the third act.

Why Hasn’t It Rightly Been Called the Best of the Bunch?

To be fair, none of the Critters movies have really developed a ton of clout. But, if one has, it’s the first one, and that seems more like a cliché (“The first is always the best”) than an actual measure of the film’s individual quality. Make no mistake, the Critters sequel is more well-written, well-paced, and outright funny than the original film. Stream on Tubi.

17 Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)

1988’s Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers is one of the franchise’s best installments. But its box office gross made it clear that audiences were more interested in Freddy Krueger at that point than Michael Myers.

What Happened with The Revenge, and Why Is It Underrated?

So, when Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers rolled around, audience interest had dwindled significantly and it more or less came and went from theaters. But, for all its faults and inadequacies when compared to its immediate predecessor, there’s a lot to like about Halloween 5. It carries the unique Fall vibe of the series, gives Danielle Harris some more screen time as Jamie Lloyd, and brings back Doctor Loomis. Stream on Shudder.

16 Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989)

Rob Hedden’s Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan had a lot of ambition going in, but cuts along the way resulted in a film that many consider one of the worst of all time. But it’s also a hoot, and one of the best midnight tipsy movies out there.

What Makes Jason Takes Manhattan Such a Joyously Bonkers Ride?

Jason Takes Manhattan made for the eighth movie in a franchise born out of nothing more than the audience’s desire to see some bloodletting. It had been a long road but, even with an installment where Jason basically takes on Stephen King’s Carrie, it was mostly a case of repetition. And yet, even if much of it doesn’t even take place in Manhattan, the eighth Friday the 13th is a ludicrous ride with the single best boxing scene in cinema history (yes, even including Rocky). Stream on Max.

15 The Fly II (1989)

Did David Cronenberg’s reimagining of The Fly really need a sequel? Not at all, it’s a concise narrative with a perfect ending for each character. But, as far as unnecessary sequels go, The Fly II is suitably creepy, gooey, and the third act benefits from some strong practical creature effects.

Why Was It a Worthy Continuation?

Before that monster runs the show, the viewer still has some nice chemistry between Eric Stoltz and Daphne Zuniga to keep them entertained. There’s also a suitably smarmy villain, unburdened by ethics. Did this Son of the Fly (as it might as well be called) movie reach the heights of Cronenberg’s masterpiece? Not in any regard, but there are worse midnight movies. Stream Apple TV+.

14 Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990)

With a great teaser trailer, it’s a wonder Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III grossed the least of any Texas Chainsaw movie up to that point. Perhaps it was New Line Cinema’s battles with the MPAA to avoid an X rating (not that the movie is even that grotesque) or audiences’ general boredom with slashers but, even with a decent release in 1,107 theaters, Leatherface failed to make a mark.

What Makes It Underrated?

It’s a film loaded with ambiance, solid pacing, and a young Viggo Mortensen in a major role as a member of the Sawyer clan. It’s not high art, but the Texas Chainsaw franchise has sunk much lower than Leatherface. Stream on Apple TV+.

13 Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)

The original Gremlins carried both the classic Spielberg vibe and a distinct horror vibe. Gremlins 2: The New Batch swaps out the latter half of that combo for Looney Tunes-type goofing but the rest remains the same.

What Makes Dante’s Sequel a Treat?

To call Gremlins 2: The New Batch a horror film would be to mislabel it. The first one is, the second one’s an absurdist comedy. And maybe it’s in this massive change that The New Batch found itself in some trouble at the box office. But, while fans found themselves let down at the time, the passing of years has been very kind to the Gremlins sequel. The more rote sequels to famous IPs get churned out, the more something like The New Batch and its swinging for the fences looks worthwhile. Stream on Apple TV+.

12 The Exorcist III (1990)

The author of The Exorcist (and the screenwriter of William Friedkin’s classic) took the reins himself when it came time to adapt Legion. There are two versions of The Exorcist III, and both are impressively almost as frightening as the original film. The same absolutely cannot be said of Exorcist II: The Heretic.

What Makes The Exorcist III the Only Worthy Exorcist Sequel?

The Exorcist III is far more a standard police procedural than the original film. And, considering the central mystery involves a patient getting out of their room at a mental health institute to slaughter others, the procedural is an interesting one. Toss in sterling work from George C. Scott and Brad Dourif (who gets much more time to shine in the director’s cut), and The Exorcist III is one of the best horror films of the early ’90s. Stream on Peacock.

11 Predator 2 (1990)

The final underrated horror sequel of 1990, Stephen Hopkins’ Predator 2, is every bit the genre blender the John McTiernan original classic was if not more so. Hopkins was one year off his American film debut with A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child, which unlike Predator 2 actually deserves much of its ire. Whereas that sequel was water-treading at best, Predator 2 goes out of its way to stand apart from McTiernan’s original.

What Makes Predator 2 Underrated?

Hopkins’ film is objectively inferior to McTiernan’s classic. But considering they couldn’t do the jungle thing again without it seeming rote, putting the Yautja in the middle of a gangland war was an interesting alternative. The scare factor is decreased with the creature being in such a densely populated area, but Predator is just as much an action IP as it is a horror one. Predator 2 works, besides Adam Baldwin’s wooden performance. Stream on Hulu.

10 Child’s Play 3 (1991)

Child’s Play 3 may not make a lot of sense (why does the opening scene take place in the Good Guy head office? Why not?), but it’s a lot of fun. After the solid one-two punch of Child’s Play and Child’s Play 2 (which is arguably superior to the first installment), it became obvious that the Chucky and Andy Barclay dynamic was working, but how to change it up?

How Did Child’s Play 3 Switch Things Up, and Did It Truly Fail?

Child’s Play 3‘s answer was to send him to a military academy. And, while this does raise a lot of questions (why on Earth is there live ammunition stocked at an academy?), it makes for an interesting change in locale. Stream on Apple TV+.

9 Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992)

After Hellraiser and Hellbound: Hellraiser II, the IP needed a bit of a shift. Those two ended up feeling very much like two parts of a whole (though the original, of course, works quite well on its own), especially with their focus on Ashley Laurence’s Kirsty Cotton.

Is Watching Hellraiser III Actually Hell on Earth?

Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth scraps Kirsty (though Laurence does make a cameo appearance via a videotaped news segment) for a reporter, a skeevy nightclub owner, and a lot more Pinhead. There’s also a lot of focus on the demon’s origins. In other words, when he was less a demon and more a man. Stream on Paramount+.

8 Alien³ (1992)

Alien³ may have made director David Fincher want to quit Hollywood before he even really got started, but there’s much about it that works. This is especially true of the Assembly Cut. Not to mention, it arguably has the best ending of the entire franchise. At the very least it’s the most moving final minutes of any Alien film.

Is It Truly That Weak a Sequel?

Is the third film as ridiculously strong as Alien or Aliens? No. But, it’s not even a weak film, much less a so-called bad one. Alien: Resurrection, with its soulless nature and utter ruining of Ellen Ripley, is the bad one. At least the third film goes for tension-building, and when the CGI Xeno scurrying across a ceiling isn’t ruining that process, the movie succeeds in the effect. Stream on Hulu.

7 Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993)

1993’s Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday marked the end of a brief hiatus for Jason Voorhees, but it ended up doing even worse at the box office than Jason Takes Manhattan. But, to be fair, Adam Marcus’ film was an incredibly bizarre way to try and breathe life back into the franchise. However, when compared to a space-set adventure, there are worse things than really going for it in a narrative. It also has impressive practical effects, which is yet another thing that can’t be said of the subsequent Jason X.

Why Does Shooting for the Fences Work?

It’s both very different from every other Friday the 13th film and the final installment to be tonally in line. Never before was body-swapping even hinted at in the franchise, nor was the importance of the Voorhees bloodline, but visually, Jason Goes to Hell feels like it’s a member of the Paramount years. Does it even work as a Friday the 13th film? Not entirely, but if viewed as its own thing within a pre-existing universe, Jason Goes to Hell can be a bizarre ride with Jason hamburgers and a guy talking about girls simulating sex with a donut. Stream on Apple TV+.

6 Return of the Living Dead III (1993)

The Return of the Living Dead franchise is a knowingly odd duck. The first film went to great lengths to not only poke fun at George A. Romero’s saga but also be a suitable member of that IP in and of itself. And, in terms of the second film, it was strictly a case of more of the exact same. But, Return of the Living Dead III…Return of the Living Dead III is a brand-new, even more outlandish animal.

What Makes It an Underrated Entry?

On one hand, Return of the Living Dead III absolutely stands on its own. One would be completely forgiven for thinking it’s a one-off if they miss the title card. But, in that lies the appeal. It takes a hard left turn and has fun doing so. Not to mention, having just one zombie as not only the antagonist (sort of) but also the protagonist was a stroke of genius, even if it led to a film that only really appeals to goths and horror aficionados. Stream on Tubi.