My Top 20 Favorite Movie Sequels of All Time

Hello everyone! As I've told you in the past, I'm not a huge fan of sequels. But after looking over 1000 of them, I did manage to find twenty that I truly adore. Here's the list. You'll notice that most of them are from the late 70's and on. I'm pretty sure that's when movie sequels started to become a thing. Anyway, I welcome feedback from you, the reader. Let me know if there are any you want to add. The list is as follows:

1. Aliens (1986) * * * * Stars -Aliens is the blueprint for what a sequel can accomplish. Its got everything you want in a movie period. Great characters, exceptional expansion on the story of a franchise, breathtaking action, and Sigourney Weaver hitting it out the park with a triumphant performance.

2. The Godfather Part II (1974) * * * * Stars -"This is the business we have chosen." This is the sequel I have chosen for my number two pick.

3. Star Wars: Episode V- The Empire Strikes Back (1980) * * * 1/2 Stars -The characters are a little more serious and everything is dark and dour. However, "Empire" expands on the overall look of its predecessor and provides sumptuous visuals. This film is also plotted ingeniously.

4. The Color of Money (1986) * * * 1/2 Stars -Yeah it came out 25 years later, but Scorsese showcased his bravado style while Paul Newman finally got his well deserved Oscar.

5. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) * * * 1/2 Stars -Felt a lot like the original Raiders in terms of action set pieces. That's good enough for it to be in the top five.

6. Superman II (1981) * * * 1/2 Stars -The original is good. This sequel entertains even more while digging deeper into Christopher Reeve's torn character.

7. Star Wars: Episode VI- Return of the Jedi (1983) * * * 1/2 Stars -Billy Dee Williams is one of the coolest supporting players in a sequel. This 3rd Star Wars flick is bonafide proof.

8. Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) * * * 1/2 Stars -Sort of a copy of the original but still a lot of fun. Great soundtrack and of course back in the 80's, Eddie Murphy was invincible.

9. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) * * * 1/2 Stars -If you've seen the first Star Trek in 79,' you'll know that this is a master class in the improvement stage.

10. Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981) * * * 1/2 Stars -Just another reason to believe that Mel Gibson is a god! One heck of a ride.

11. Rocky III (1982) * * * Stars -I pity the fool who hates on this sequel. Entertainment value at its highest level.

12. Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999) * * * Stars -Possibly one of the funniest movies ever made. I laughed every 2-3 minutes and might have broke 2 ribs. Nevertheless, it was a gas baby!

13. Rocky II (1979) * * * Stars -"Yo Adrian, I did it!"

13. (tie) Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) * * * Stars -The opening chase sequence sold me on this one. The last good AARRNNOOLLD flick before he became the governator!

14. Jurassic Park: The Lost World (1997) * * * Stars -Dare I say that this is Vince Vaughn's last great performance. Oh and Spielberg invariably strikes again!

15. Airplane II: The Sequel (1982) * * * Stars -The jokes are on par with the original Airplane. And how about that hilarious cameo in the form of William Shatner.

16. Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008) * * * Stars -As funny as the original and a bit more racy.

17. Halloween II (1981) * * * Stars -The poster's tagline reads, "The Nightmare Isn't Over." You ain't kidding.

18. Ocean's Twelve (2004) * * * Stars -I might be in the minority but this one is better than 2001's pedestrian original.

19. Back to the Future Part II (1989) * * * Stars -A complex sequel with mind bending twists and neat set designs. Eye candy! Nuff said.

20. U.S. Marshals (1998) * * * Stars -Before Wesley Snipes failed to pay his taxes, he did us all a solid by filling Harrison Ford's shoes here.

20. (tie) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) * * * Stars -In my opinion, the first film to really overstep the boundaries of a PG rating. This is intense stuff.

Written by Jesse Burleson