20 Movies that deserve a sequel

Sometimes, movies have such impressive storylines, power-packed action scenes, and a stellar cast that viewers cannot get enough of them. These films have the power to leave a lasting impact on audiences and, therefore, deserve a sequel. Further, many interesting and unique stories have the potential to be explored more, and not giving them a sequel is a crime. Here’s a list of 20 movies that need to return to the screens.

1. Hancock (2008)

Directed by Peter Berg and starring Will Smith and Charlize Theron, this movie is the tale of a scruffy and alcoholic superhero that does more harm than good with his antic. The unique premise was a success at the box office, and with many shows and movies using the same theme of an anti-hero recognizing their calling, it is surprising that this movie did not get a sequel. This one is a fun movie deserving of revitalization.

2. Inception (2010)

The Christopher Nolan directorial blew people’s minds with its dream-within-a-dream premise that revolves around Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) stealing sensitive information from people’s dreams. The movie had everything going for it—a stellar cast, great visuals, an inventive storyline, and box office success. Yet, a sequel was never made. With an open ending and a cult following, it is hoped that this movie gets a part two.

3. John Carter (2012)

This sci-fi action-adventure movie blends themes of war, rebellion, superhuman capabilities, and interstellar travel. Starring Taylor Kitsch and directed by Andrew Stanton, the movie received mixed reviews, but it was a solid movie overall with a cast and story that deserves a second chance. As one of Disney's more expensive and comprehensive projects at the time, the movie can be expanded into various directions and deserves a sequel.

4. Inside Man (2006)

Directed by Spike Lee and featuring an impressive cast of Denzel Washington, Jodie Foster, Christopher Plummer, and others, this crime thriller had a decent run at the box office. The story of a detective and a power broker coming together to navigate a bank heist turned hostage situation is gripping. While there were some talks of a sequel a few years back, nothing came to fruition. This one deserves a sequel.

5. True Lies (1994)

Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis, this James Cameron directorial was a hilarious action comedy that revolves around the adventures of a secret US Government agent and his wife, who go on an adventure together. With Curtis’ hilariously brilliant performance and Arnold’s effervescent charm in the original, this one can still get back the two talented actors and develop a modern sequel.

6. Real Steel (2011)

Directed by Shawn Levy and starring Hugh Jackman, this sci-fi sports movie did a compelling job of blending the two varied genres together. The story about a veteran boxer coaching a young kid and his underdog robot in the near future was a hit amongst the viewers and lapped up generous numbers at the box office. The movie’s premise allows for enough scope for a sequel.

7. Atomic Blonde (2017)

How a movie as stylish as this one, featuring the talented and beautiful Charlize Theron, did not get a sequel till now is a mystery. The action thriller by David Leitch focuses on a dedicated spy who must travel to Berlin before the wall collapses and retrieve a stolen list of covert agents—before it gets smuggled. The film was a box office hit, and even though there have been talks of a sequel, one has yet to be seen.

8. A Wrinkle in Time (2018)

Based on a sci-fi novel by Madeleine L’Engle, this fantasy adventure film had an enchanting story, adventure, magic, and kid-friendly. Still, the Ava DuVernay directorial could not create magic at the box office. Even with a star cast of Oprah Winfrey, Chris Pine, and more, the movie suffered a loss, which was the reason for not having a sequel. But DuVernay’s grasp of the subject and stunning visuals should be incorporated in a reboot.

9. Wanted (2008)

Based on Mark Millar’s comic book miniseries, the action-thriller starring Angelina Jolie and James McAvoy revolves around a secret society of assassins. The movie had intense action, a great cast, and intense sequences that audiences loved. The movie garnered success at the box office, and there were even talks of a sequel. But the film lagged in development hell, and a stylish sequel could not be lifted off the ground. This one deserves a part two.

10. Rise of the Guardians (2012)

Directed by Peter Ramsay and based on a novel by William Joyce, the animated fantasy-adventure follows the coming together of childhood heroes like Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy to stop an evil lord through Jack Frost. The movie features the voices of Jude Law, Chris Pine, and others, and even though it grossed a respectable amount worldwide, it lost out on marketing and distribution costs—hindering a sequel. The movie still has potential and deserves a sequel.

11. The Lone Ranger (2013)

This Western Action film starring Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer was directed by Gore Verbinski and was an epic Western for its times. It had action, visuals, and fights, but Depp’s portrayal of a native drew criticism, and the movie could barely get back its making costs. The ambitious project about a native and a ranger fighting crime in the Old West could not sustain the viewer’s attention. Yet, the story has potential and deserves a sequel.

12. The Green Hornet (2011)

Directed by Michel Gondry and starring Seth Rogen, the superhero-comedy film follows a martial arts expert mechanic and a newspaper publisher’s son who team up to become vigilantes and fight crime. Even though the movie received mixed reviews, it had a unique premise, decent comedy, and an unlikely superhero duo that could win back the audience's hearts if it got a sequel.

13. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

An 80s classic, this John Hughes movie perfectly captured teenage life's rebellion and recklessness. The comedy stars Matthew Broderick and has the simple premise of a high schooler taking the day off with his friend and girlfriend and getting into all sorts of troubles. The movie was an instant hit, and its lasting cultural impression made it a movie one wanted to see reinvented.

14. Demolition Man (1993)

Older sci-fi movies provide an incredible dose of nostalgia and heavy-handed use of technology that needs to be replicated. The Marco Brambilla directorial featured Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes and revolves around a police officer and a crime lord who are frozen in 1996. When the evil lord (Snipes) escapes in 2032, the policeman (Stallone) has to catch him. The backdrop of a utopian city with fantastical regulations has a lot of potential for a sequel.

15. Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

Another expensive sci-fi film that deals with aliens and a lone warrior out to defeat them, this Doug Liman movie is based on the novel by Hiroshi Sakurazaka and stars Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt. The movie also involves a time loop, and the movie’s cast and story have the potential for a sequel. Even though there have been talks, nothing has worked till now, although hope still burns.

16. School of Rock (2003)

Starring Jack Black, this comedy movie by Richard Linklater revolves around a struggling rock guitarist who begins to teach at a prep school and discovers the children’s talent. He decides to form a band so that they can win a competition. The movie is an entertaining joyride. The film did an impressive job at the box office and has a television and Broadway presentation, but sadly, it does not have a film sequel—even though it deserves one.

17. The Goonies (1985)

Directed by Richard Donner, this 1980s adventure-comedy is based on a story by Steven Spielberg and is a cult classic. The film has inspired pop culture immensely and revolves around a group of kids who discover a treasure map and must find the treasure before a rival gang outwits them. Starring Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, and others, the movie was a hit but does not have a sequel even after all these years. This one deserves a second part.

18. Galaxy Quest (1999)

Starring Sigourney Weaver, Tim Allen, Alan Rickman, and others, the movie is a sci-fi satire, and that makes it instantly watchable. Directed by Dean Parisot, the film parodies classic sci-fi movie tropes and pays homage to Star Trek. Full of laughs and clever quips, the film’s tale about a TV show cast getting involved in a real alien conflict is a plot that needs to be brought back to screens.

19. Stargate (1994)

Roland Emmerich is known for his affinity towards sci-fi movies; this one is no exception. Starring Kurt Russell, James Spader, and others, the film revolves around a powerful device, the “stargate,” that creates a wormhole and allows instant space travel across distances. The movie received mixed reviews but spawned a media franchise involving TV adaptation and web series. But a film adaptation is definitely needed.

20. Dredd (2012)

Directed by Pete Travis and starring Karl Urban, this sci-fi action movie is based on a comic strip by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra. The film deals with a futuristic law enforcer who has the power to execute criminals. He and his partner must save a high rise from a drug lord. The movie has an interesting premise and fast-paced action. The film fared decently and has a plot that needs to be expanded further.