Sequels to great movies often fail to live up to their predecessors. Many simply tried to relive the same magic by repeating the process. However, today I have ten movies I consider to be great follow-ups, to great movies from the 80s. Sequels that may not have been as good as their predecessors, yet ones that were able to deliver plenty of entertainment on their own to justify their existence
The Naked Gun 2 ½: The Smell of Fear (1991)
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad would charm audiences in 1988 and just three years later slapstick comedy legend Leslie Nielson would reprise his role as Lt. Frank Drebin in 1991s The Naked Gun 2 ½: The Smell of Fear, a movie that would bring plenty of new laughs, plenty of new characters, and would end up surpassing the box-office success of its predecessor.
To me The Naked Gun is one of the best spoof comedies of all time so coming up with a worthy sequel was a tall task, one The Naked Gun 2 ½ would knock out of the park. I still slightly prefer the first movie, but this sequel was without question able to carry right along with all the silly and absurd humor without skipping a beat. This movie pulls you right back into the same cartoon world and all the familiar characters are back and landing top tier absurd humor with precision. Leslie Nielson is the godfather of slapstick humor to me. I consider him to be the gold standard, and he is a riot in this movie from start to finish. Robert Goulet serves up a great villain. This movie has silly drama, light action and its non-stop laughs. Sure, it repeats the formula but that’s pretty much the point in this genre. The Naked Gun 2 ½ brings back the clever charm that the first script was filled with. I’ve watched this movie so many times and when pairing it with the first they seem together like one long film.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
Raiders of the Lost Ark would turn the character of Indiana Jones into an 80s icon in 1981. The movie would deliver a crowd-pleasing adventure and pull in a ton of cash. So, three years later Harrison Ford would grab the hat and whip once again for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. A movie that would deliver another great adventure and prove to be a divisive sequel for decades with some people loving it, and some feeling it was a step down.
I’m probably one of the few who liked Temple of Doom over Raiders but as a kid this was the movie for me. And as an adult while Raiders is critically a sounder film, the over-the-top fast paced insanity of this one always lures me in. Ford’s having a great time in the character and Short Round certainly makes up for Capshaw’s shortcomings. And really, I just love the mood of this movie. I love the backdrops and the adventures and exotic locations. I also enjoy how the humor is slightly elevated and worked into many of the action sequences. And really, every sequel is going to try and go bigger and better and it doesn’t always work in Temple of Doom but to me there is an added confidence to the plot and tone of this film that allows it to go slightly more full-throttle. And while it may be a bit more superficial than Raiders of the Lost Ark, this movie is still my favorite Indiana Jones movie.
F/X2 (1991)
Back in 1986 a little action thriller about a special-effects expert being framed for a crime called F/X would come and go with little movement on the financial needle. But it was appreciated by fans of the genre and would have a great run on the home video market. So, six years later Bryan Brown and Brian Dennehy would prove two Brian’s do make a right, when they’d return to investigate a murder in the 1991 action thriller F/X2.
I’m not sure what it is but it seemed like sequels were on much heavier cable tv rotation growing up because I remember seeing this sequel much more than the first. Now F/X2 is not as good as the first. It naturally loses its pop of originality. It gets a little too cute with some of the gadgetry, and focuses on more tried and true, fast paced plotting but it all still manages to result in a strong sequel that repeats many of the ingredients while still showing plenty of effort in bringing new, unique elements to the table fitting within the special-effects theme of the franchise. I love the performance from the Brians in this movie, they’ve been elevated to a buddy duo and while it has been done before it still manages to work for this underrated sequel that delivers plenty of clever action set-pieces and a satisfying final act that feels like a perfect closing for a movie like this where special-effects and movie making technology can be used like a cross between 007 and MacGyver with a splash of Lethal Weapon to solve a murder.
Beverly Hills Cop 2 (1987)
Beverly Hills Cop was a smash hit for Eddie Murphy in 1984 with a blend of action, humor, and character charm that audiences loved. Three years later Murphy would return as Axel Foley. The budget would be increased, the action and humor would be ramped up, and Tony Scott would direct. Making 1987’s Beverly Hills Cop II the highest grossing release of the entire franchise in a full throttle commercial action comedy that still maintains its entertainment value.
The first thing that pops with this sequel is the noticeable style and sleekness in the direction from Tony Scott. It makes it feel like a much bigger, and grander movie and I love the atmosphere this sequel delivers while still actually feeling like it’s set in the same world with the same vibe as the first film. There’s just an entertaining balance in Beverly Hills Cop II between it being a Tony Scott film and an Eddie Murphy action/comedy. Jurgen Prochnow and Brigitte Nielson as the villains are nicely cast. Prochnow has a menacing demeanor perfect for a movie bad buy, and a sexy 6ft tall blond taking people out with no hesitation is peak 80s action attitude. There’s still plenty of Murphy charm and comedic banter between him, Reinhold, and Ashton, the plot of avenging the attack of Chief Bogomil is perfect revenge fuel, and with Scott behind the camera the action feels bigger, more elaborate, and much more intense.
Predator 2 (1990)
1987s Predator to me is one of the best action movies ever made with the ultimate ensemble of bad asses led by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Usually when the leading star of a film doesn’t return to a sequel the result is often a miss. And while not as legendary as its predecessor, 1990s Predator 2 featuring Danny Glover and a sweltering Los Angeles backdrop would turn out to be a solid action thriller even if it fails to hold a torch to the first.
Some knock this movie when comparing it to the original. Predator was pretty much a perfect movie that had all the right ingredients in place to make something amazing from a relatively simple concept. The likelihood of Predator 2 being as good or better was a million to one shot. So, trying to compare the two only gets in the way of the entertainment value this movie does have. It’s far from as good as the first but it’s still able to bring plenty of unique elements to the table to warrant its existence. Even if Predator never existed Predator 2 would be a solid sci-fi action thriller loaded with gritty violent action, strong performances, spots of suspense, endless bravado, and a great ensemble cast. The LA setting is a cool playground for all the violence and hunting from the predator and it’s a great ride. Plus, the practical effects and make-up work are still in place so despite all the years, the cunning predator still looks better than the partially digital one we recently got in Prey.
Child’s Play 2 (1990)
I think everyone would agree that Chucky is an icon of the horror genre with his twisted Krueger-esque sense of humor and murderous gusto. 1988’s Child’s Play is a strong origin story and horror films are essentially guaranteed a sequel. 1990s Child’s Play 2 would be free of the origin constraints. It would escalate the body count and the intensity to result in a sophomore killing spree from Chucky that I sort of enjoy more than the first.
I’ve always loved this movie, and I think it’s a great sequel. The first Child’s Play is certainly a solid horror flick, but it does have a slower pace, and the origin story gets in the way, just a little, of the sadistic killing. Child’s Play 2 just gives Chucky much more to do and it’s a blast of twisted mayhem and campy horror tension. Chucky really comes into his own in this sequel, he’s dropping memorable lines and cementing himself as a comedic contender to Freddy Krueger in the horror genre and while this movie does navigate through all the genre cliches. It leans into them nicely, does them right, and the result is a fast-paced ride of delightful violence. I watched this movie on cable over so many weekends I loved the toy factory backdrop, the scenes at the school are fun as well. This sequel gave Chucky ample one-liners, plenty of memorable kills and it’s still my favorite movie in the franchise.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Some consider 1984s The Terminator as one of the classic sci-fi action thrillers out there with Arnold’s imposing performance as the relentless T-800 being stuff of legend. Seven years would pass, filmmaking technology would boom, Arnold would become a good robot, and Terminator 2: Judgement Day would be released in 1991 changing the game of cinema. It’s really a perfect sequel, and a film that has stood the test of time as a cinematic masterpiece.
Many would say Terminator 2 is a better film than the first. I think it’s hard to argue that however I also think they both serve their purpose for their intention. Terminator was a smaller, grittier sci-fi action thriller, and a great one. Terminator 2 is a four-quadrant commercial blockbuster and a great one as well. This movie is a complete cinematic package. The visual effects are still crisp all these years later and the result is a non-stop ride of action spectacle. Arnold plays the good guy in this round and his performance here is easily his most iconic. This movie would command the box-office. Audiences loved it and it’s because it was able to take the concept of the first and use it as a great seed for thought provoking worldbuilding that can easily sweep you up. This is one of those movies I can remember coming out of the theater after watching and all of us just being in awe of what we just watched, and it still can deliver that today.
Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)
Lethal Weapon is the best buddy cop movie ever to hit the silver screen. The film was well received and made a good amount of money. Thus, a sequel was inevitable and when Lethal Weapon 2 would drop into theaters in 1989 it would prove to be a follow-up that built off the success of the first while also growing the friendship between its main characters, building a clever plot and ramping up the action. Essentially writing the great sequel playbook along the way.
I think Lethal Weapon 2 was able to flip the notions of a sequel. This one repeat really everything that worked in the first. But at the same time is able to essentially do its own thing. This movie spends much more time developing the friendship between Murtaugh and Riggs. But still it is able to weave these character dynamics into tried-and-true criminal plotting that serves up ample opportunities for high energy, practical action. Lethal Weapon 2 is able to pick up the same atmosphere as the original and despite it feeling like a wash-and-repeat plot. It’s an interesting and engaging plot as Riggs and Murtaugh battle a villain with diplomatic immunity. Plus, it adds the comical character of Leo Getz played perfectly by Joe Pesci who’s able to come in with Gibson and Glove to make for a charming trio. Lethal Weapon 2 knows if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it and rides once again on the genuine chemistry between Gibson and Glover.
License to Kill (1989)
Now The Living Daylights is like the 15th James Bond movie but it’s the first that features Timothy Dalton in the leading role. It was another entertaining entry in the franchise and two years later in 1989 Dalton would return for a sequel that I think was better than his coming out party in the delightfully eccentric and gusto filled License to Kill. A sequel that stands on its own as a fun slightly campy espionage action adventure with a perfect touch of grittiness.
I’m not sure if this was the first Bond movie I ever watched but it was definitely the Bond movie I remember watching countless times. License to Kill is filled with killer stunt work resulting in a ton of visually appealing action sequences. Then you get the suave charm of Dalton as Bond, who I really liked. Then you get Robert Davi playing up a great villain. To me License to Kill is a fantastic blend of 80s action and 007. It’s a bit silly at times, there’s a campy eccentricity to this movie and it actually gets pretty violent. You have a villain who feeds his enemies to sharks, Del Toro gets shredded in a brick grinder, and when the violence hits it’s comically over-the-top. The dialogue is filled with amusing bravado, memorable lines, and comical self-seriousness and when all is said and done License to Kill despite its flaws, it’s a fantastic sequel with action that still looks awesome and a James Bond riding at peak virility.
Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)
While it had a lot of action 1982’s First Blood, to me, played more like a psychological drama with a heaviness to the emotion. All of that substance would be thrown out the window when Stallone would reprise his role in 1985’s Rambo: First Blood Part II resulting in what would become a quintessential 80s action flick. A sequel that would deliver excess at every level, propel the character of Rambo into an 80s icon, and just rake in cash at the box office.
I definitely remember seeing Rambo II as a kid before I watched First Blood. I think I even remember seeing Rambo III first many times as well. I loved Rambo as a kid. I watched the cartoon. I had my own adventures out in the woods by my house. I had the action figures, my own survival knife and could not get enough of this movie. It’s far more superficial than First Blood but its excessive ultra explosive action makes Rambo II a textbook 80s action movie. It’s a quintessential one-man-army movie. Stallone is absolutely ripped and at peak badass and taking guys out in a variety of ways. From stealthy missions, to shootouts, to awesome close quarter takedowns, and endless explosions Rambo II knows to survive a war you need to become war with a helicopter showdown as the cherry on the sundae. Making it a sequel that took a small concept and turned it into a larger-than-life action franchise.
Anthony J. Digioia II © 2025 SilverScreen Analysis & Movies Never Say Die