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“Dune: part two” hits theaters this weekend, and the film is already a promising blockbuster franchise, with (to date) an impressive 94% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoesand an audience scores one percentage point higher.
After the first entry of 2021, the results were similar – and garnered a total of six Oscars – the zeitgeist inevitably compares the sprawling world of director Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” to those of “Star Wars” and “The Lord of the Rings”. That said, there's no better time than now to use Arrakis, the desert planet at the heart of “Dune,” as a jumping-off point to explore other amazing sci-fi sequels, a genre that has fortunately been fertile ground for various second chapters of cinema.
Here is a list of the most notable, in no particular order.
What better way to start than with one of the greatest sequels – and science fiction films in general – ever made, with a script taught in film schools. James Cameron's Oscar-winning sequel to Ridley Scott's 1979 space haunted house classic broke the mold in so many ways, from its deft ability to develop each member of the mercenary ensemble to the heartbreaking heart of the story, Ellen Ripley's (Sigourney Weaver) fiercely protective and motherly relationship with a young survivor named Newt (Carrie Henn). And that's not to mention the absolutely iconic confrontation between Ripley and another mother figure in the film – namely the horrifying Alien Queen, as seen above.
A groundbreaking achievement in terms of special effects and world-building at the time, “Star Trek II” was a sequel that no one saw coming, as it seemed very different from the troubled first feature film based on the landmark television series . From the early use of CGI to the full-throttle performances of the heroic William Shatner and the villainous Ricardo Montalban, “Khan” stands the test of time – especially with that huge ending.
James Cameron (yes, we call him the king of sequels) has once again struck cinematic sequel gold with its impressive revisit of a world doomed to be dominated by evil killer robots, and the few people – as well as a now-friendly cyborg in the most unforgettable performance of 'Arnold Schwarzenegger – who stand in the way. Among his many, many credits, including a truly badass turn of Linda Hamilton as a stronger, more resilient Sarah Connor – the second “Terminator” also marked a huge step forward for CGI effects, helping lay the foundation for “Jurassic Park” and beyond.
After a bold new start with 2011's “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” this sequel upped the ante in this rebooted franchise that finally had the incredible special effects to support an idea first floated with the original from 1968. Starring Andy Serkis in top form as ape leader Caesar, “Dawn” builds to an explosive crescendo anchored by chilling post-apocalyptic visions and real emotion, as viewers are confronted with the true nature of what it means to be human. A fourth entry in the series, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes”, comes out this summer.
“The Road Warrior” (1981), “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome” (1985) and “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015)
In post-apocalyptic space, it doesn't get crazier than the world of Mad Max, which has seen several sequels reimagine and build on what came before in truly mind-blowing ways. Franchise mastermind George Miller's second installment, “The Road Warrior,” took the ingredients of his first outing and crystallized them into a superb sequel, while the third installment remains memorable if only for Tina Turner's incredible appearance as a menacing aunt entity. Thirty years later, the Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron-led reboot of “Fury Road” showed just how mind-blowing new possibilities there were for this world. Miller is working on not one but two new opuses, including one origin story for Theron's Furiosa with Anya Taylor-Joy.
Although this franchise borders on both the supernatural and comedic genres, it deserves a place on this list because it is an inventive and underrated sequel that took elements of the original “Ghostbusters” and ran with them. Giving more space to the likes of Annie Potts, Rick Moranis, Bill Murray and Sigourney Weaver – not to mention a truly insane performance from Peter MacNicol as a bizarre museum worker turned demon possessed, sometimes in drag – “Ghostbusters II” still delivers as much thrill as it does fun, giving new meaning to the idea of “feel-good music” thanks to the prominent placement of “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” sung by Howard Baie of Huntsberry.
Truly and rightly the “father” of all sequels, “Empire” blew the door off the spaceship of the “Star Wars” franchise and is likely why it has not only lasted as long as it has, but has become a lasting part of pop culture around the world. . His plan to deepen the story and expand the characters has been followed – but never beaten – by numerous sequels since, including “Dune: Part Two” (whose source material, it must be said, had a strong influence on George Lucas when he was first designing his “Star Wars” universe). If for no other reason, the decision to end “Empire” not only on a cliffhanger, but also on a negative note, is a bold move that few franchises have ever attempted, “Dune” among them.
“Dune: Part Two” is produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, which, like CNN, is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.