Top 10 Underappreciated Sequels

The horror genre is lush with franchises, and many of these franchises are deep, with upwards of six sequels. Some of these sequels were borne of genuine passion for the original film, while many others were quick cash-grabs to capitalize on a familiar title. As expected, the level of quality varies enormously. I consider there to be four tiers of horror sequel: (1) classics that possibly surpass the original (Aliens, Bride of Frankenstein, A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, Evil Dead 2, Dawn of the Dead), (2) good sequels whose quality is pretty widely recognized (Hellbound: Hellraiser 2, Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2), (3) sequels that offer something fun and/or unique but haven’t been widely seen or are undeservedly panned, and (4) the dreck made solely for quick money or rights retention. This list comprises sequels from the third category; I almost included The Exorcist III, Halloween III: Season of the Witch, Hellbound, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 here, but I feel like all of those have come to be highly regarded across a large swath of horror fandom over the last few years. My intention is to shine light on some very enjoyable sequels that I don’t feel have gotten their due.

10. The Howling III: The Marsupials (1987; dir: Philippe Mora)

In general, I think The Howling sequels have gotten a bad rap, and I’m sure I’ll write about that in more depth eventually. But part three is my favorite of the group; it introduces some wild ideas, including positing the werewolves as the good guys, and has interesting thoughts about the werewolf’s place in aboriginal Australian lore. Like many of the sequels on this list, it’s not entirely successful in its execution, but it’s a fascinating watch.

9. Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker (1991; dir: Martin Kitrosser)

This is one of the few Silent Night, Deadly Night sequels that actually features a killer Santa again, but it also introduces some real craziness, primarily in the form of a human-sized doll guy with daddy issues and a terrible streak of viciousness. This entry in the series is perhaps the creepiest, though it might be out-weirded by Brian Yuzna’s Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation.

8. Maniac Cop 2 (1990; dir: William Lustig)

While Lustig’s original Maniac Cop is a pretty solid slasher, the first sequel amps everything way up. Robert Z’Dar’s hulking, disfigured killer cop goes on an absolute rampage, with a huge body count and carnage of the highest order. Robert Davi also steps in as the maniac cop’s disgruntled foil in the police department. The pivot here from the first film is much the same as Aliens or Terminator 2.

7. Poltergeist III (1988; dir: Gary Sherman)

The very likable Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams are gone here, and this is a much darker poltergeist than in the previous two films. But this sequel set in a high-rise has some really creepy sequences and effective scares, even if it doesn’t entirely make sense and is only vaguely tethered to the original movie. The setting is leveraged surprisingly well as a set-up to many of its best scenes.

6. Hellraiser: Bloodline (1996: dir: Kevin Yagher)

Director Yagher was so exhausted by producer meddling in this Hellraiser sequel — the last to get a theatrical release — that he demanded his name be removed and replaced with the Alan Smithee moniker. I don’t know what his original vision for the film was, but what made it to audiences is a fascinating take on the cenobite mythos that spans three time periods and incorporates a spaceship that transforms into a giant futuristic lament configuration. The cenobite designs here are very creative, as well. The fun ideas are dragged down by some by the editorial choppiness, but Bloodline is definitely worth seeing.

5. The Fly II (1989; dir: Chris Walas)

Chris Walas, who did the special effects for David Cronenberg’s original film, takes over directing here in a sequel that somehow manages to be more disgusting than the body horror classic. There is a notably increased focus on gore, as Eric Stoltz’ take on a Brundlefly is much more malicious this time, actively seeking vengeance on his would-be captors. There is an absolutely heartbreaking scene involving a dog that makes the movie very hard to watch, but other than that, this is a very solid flick for the gorehounds out there.

4. Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II (1987; dir: Bruce Pittman)

If Mary Lou teamed up with Freddy Krueger, this might be what you’d get. Similar to A Nightmare on Elm Street 2, a supernatural killer uses someone else’s body to enact some surreal havoc. Whereas the original was a very straightforward slasher, this sequel delves into some wild paranormal horror. Creative kills and special effects, as well as fun performances from Michael Ironside and Wendy Lyon, keep this film steaming ahead.

3. Creepshow 2 (1987; dir: Michael Gornick)

Although neither George Romero nor Stephen King were as involved in this sequel, it’s a good, and much meaner, movie. The segment “Old Chief Woodenhead” is pretty slow, weak, and seems racist nowadays, but the other two segments are thoroughly lurid and gross, and are sure to please most horror fans. The animated wraparound and music really tap into that nostalgiac EC Comics feel, as well.

2. Puppet Master II (1990; dir: Dave Allen)

The original Puppet Master is a fine horror film, but it heads along a very straight path. In the first sequel, André Toulon and his puppets get wacky. This is the second movie on this list to feature human-sized plastic creations — here, Toulon’s goal is to escape his mangled, burned body and transfer his spirit into a giant doll. The human toys he’s created for him and his bride to inhabit are super creepy. This film also introduces fan-favorite puppet Torch. This sequel best embodies how weird the series can get.

1. Amityville II: The Possession (1982; dir: Damiano Damiani)

Although the original is heralded as a classic, I personally find it pretty boring. Part two, which chronicles the tragedy that led to the haunting in the first film, is all of the things I wanted from The Amityville Horror. This film is thoroughly disturbing, from the scumbaggy dad to the unsettling incest to the shocking violence to the malevolent demons. The Possession beautifully rolls together all of these elements in creating a deeply unpleasant but effective horror movie.