Movie Franchises With the Longest Time Between Sequels

Over time, it has become commonplace to see films that are follow-ups, precursors, or reimaginings of earlier works, often leading to long-standing film franchises that control the box office for years, if not decades. As these franchises continue to be milked for intellectual property, they eventually run dry. However, not all successful movies become franchises, and even when they do, there may be considerable delays before we get a glimpse of the next chapter.

Successful movies often lead to discussions about sequels, yet whether these sequels actually materialize depends on various uncontrollable factors. Studios might delay projects, creators move onto other ventures, global conflicts may halt filming, or a studio might refuse to fund a sequel for an obscure cult classic. However, ideas persist and occasionally find themselves in the right hands, leading to production.

These are the sequels that have journeyed through the depths of nine development stages known as “development hell” and emerged, transformed into something greater than anyone could initially fathom. Sequels that were once considered unthinkable, unwanted at first, and synonymous with “films destined never to be made” when all hope seemed lost. The mere existence of these movies serves as a reminder: Miracles do happen, even another Gladiator film might be possible.

10 Movie Series with Very Long Gaps Between Sequels

28 Weeks Later / 28 Years Later (18 years)

28 Years Later signifies the reappearance of not just a cherished zombie-like saga in cinema history, but also the grand resurgence of directors Danny Boyle and Alex Garland, as well as cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle – all having previously contributed to the initial movie but absent from its sequel, 28 Weeks Later.

Originally conceived following the release of 28 Weeks Later, this third film set in the plague-stricken Britain of the series faced a lengthy delay due to rights complications, only to finally come to fruition in 2024 when Boyle and Garland confirmed its production. This marked the commencement of a fresh trilogy of 28 Years films. The following installment, titled 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, has already been shot with Cillian Murphy, who portrayed the main character in the first movie, anticipated to make an appearance.

Psycho / Psycho II (23 years)

Initially, when Robert Bloch, the writer of the book ‘Psycho’ which inspired Alfred Hitchcock’s famous horror movie, declared a sequel titled ‘Psycho II’, Universal Pictures were taken aback to find that it was a satire of slasher films in Hollywood. The storyline centered around the cast and crew of a Norman Bates biopic who started believing that the killer was heading to Hollywood to slaughter them. Unable to dissuade Bloch from publishing his book, Universal opted to produce their own ‘Psycho II’, featuring an entirely different plot – essentially more focus on Norman, more “Mother”, more gruesome murders in spooky homes. Anthony Perkins reprised his role and it turned out to be a success; even Patricia Hitchcock, Alfred’s daughter, endorsed it, stating that her father would have appreciated it greatly.

Gladiator / Gladiator II (24 years)

In the wake of Ridley Scott’s blockbuster film, Gladiator, discussions for a sequel started almost instantly due to its massive success. For quite some time, there were whispers about reprising Russell Crowe’s character, Maximus. A script penned by Nick Cave depicted Maximus being summoned back to Earth by Pagan deities to slay Jesus, but he ends up killing his own son instead, doomed to eternal life. He then battles in the Crusades, the Vietnam War, and finally appears in modern-day America, working at the Pentagon. Scott deemed this concept too ambitious, and when DreamWorks was sold to Paramount, the project came to a halt. However, Scott remained persistent, eventually collaborating with writer David Scarpa on a new version that focused on Maximus’ son, Lucius, who becomes involved in a plot to dethrone Rome’s corrupt twin emperors.

The Hustler / The Color of Money (25 years)

In 1984, author Walter Tevis passed away, coinciding with the publication of his sequel novel “The Color of Money,” a follow-up to his earlier work “The Hustler.” Before his demise, he penned a screenplay adaptation and sent it to Martin Scorsese. Intrigued by the idea of creating a sequel to the film adaptation of “The Hustler,” Scorsese and lead actor Paul Newman initially considered making a movie that closely followed the book’s narrative. However, they eventually opted for a different approach, maintaining the character of “Fast Eddie” Felson while introducing a new pool prodigy named Vincent Lauria, portrayed by Tom Cruise as Felson’s protégé. Notably, Cruise spent numerous hours practicing pool every day and performed most of the trick shots in the film on his own.

Tron / Tron: Legacy (28 years)

In its initial release, the original “Tron” movie was considered moderately successful despite some confusion in its plot. Critics appreciated its groundbreaking visual effects, though they were somewhat disorganized. Had it not developed a devoted fanbase over time, complete with arcade games and comics, it might have been just another flop for Disney. Recognizing the growing enthusiasm among fans, Disney decided to produce a sequel and enlisted director Joseph Kosinski to lead the project. Kosinski felt the original visuals were too similar to “The Matrix,” so he crafted his own concept trailer featuring his vision of an advanced Grid environment and the movement of the Lightcycle vehicles. Once again, the storyline was criticized as complex, but “Tron: Legacy” still achieved success thanks to a captivating Daft Punk soundtrack and is now followed by another sequel in production.

Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey / Bill & Ted Face the Music (29 years)

As a dedicated cinephile, I’ve always held dear the adventures of Bill and Ted. After their second outing in “Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey” back in 1991, it seemed we wouldn’t see them again. Over the years, ideas surfaced, with both Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves expressing a desire to return if the occasion was right. However, it wasn’t until 2010 that things truly picked up steam when writers Chris Matheson and Ed Solomon unveiled a concept: our heroes had grown older but still hadn’t written the song prophesied to unite the world and save the universe. All they needed was a studio onboard, a quest that took another decade due to studios viewing the series as too niche for widespread appeal. Finally, with the help of several investors and Orion Pictures, “Bill & Ted Face the Music” hit screens (and VOD) in late summer 2020.

Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome / Mad Max: Fury Road (30 years)

George Miller’s concept for a fourth Mad Max film was close to realization in the early 2000s with Mel Gibson reprising his role and Sigourney Weaver as the character eventually known as Imperator Furiosa. Tragically, the September 11 incidents disrupted production, causing costs to escalate and postponing the planned shoot in Namibia for safety concerns. As Miller had already reserved a digital studio for Happy Feet, he chose to concentrate on that project instead. By the time he was ready to revisit the Wasteland, Mel Gibson’s reputation had become questionable.

However, the project didn’t lose momentum; a cast was assembled, and despite various obstacles (one being unexpected rain causing flowers to bloom in the desert they needed to film), Mad Max: Fury Road began production in 2012. It would take another three years for the completed film to be released, but many would concur that it was well worth the delay.

Blade Runner / Blade Runner 2049 (35 years)

Starting from the 1990s, legal disagreements regarding the intellectual property rights to Philip K. Dick’s “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” halted any progress in the Blade Runner series. Despite Ridley Scott having some ideas, no new projects were initiated until Alcon Entertainment acquired the rights. With these rights in hand, they began serious planning for a sequel. Initially, Scott was set to direct, but his commitment to “Alien: Covenant” took priority. Consequently, Alcon approached Denis Villeneuve, who initially hesitated due to concerns about tarnishing the original film’s legacy by creating another franchise. However, he was won over by the quality of the screenplay and Hampton Fancher’s involvement, as Fancher had written the script for the first movie.

Top Gun / Top Gun: Maverick (36 years)

If you’re thinking about reviving an old franchise, Joseph Kosinski could be your go-to guy. Initially, Tom Cruise wasn’t keen on making a sequel to the smash hit “Top Gun”, labeling the idea as reckless. However, in 2010, Paramount started seriously considering another film, with Tony Scott working on a script that focused on the shift from air combat to drone warfare. After Scott’s unfortunate death in 2012, the project was shelved, but in 2017, Cruise confirmed that the title was “Top Gun: Maverick” and reached out to Kosinski, who he had collaborated with on the sci-fi film “Oblivion”. During a visit to the set of “Mission: Impossible – Fallout”, Cruise saw Kosinski’s concept book and gave the go-ahead for the movie.

Mary Poppins / Mary Poppins Returns (52 years)

Remarkably, the long-awaited sequel to “Mary Poppins” took a full fifty years to materialize. Following its initial release in 1964, Disney expressed eagerness to produce another film, but P.L. Travers, the author of the “Mary Poppins” book series, resisted due to her displeasure with the first movie. Travers aimed to have a hand in any sequel and even drafted a screenplay for a film named “Mary Poppins Comes Back,” using leftover material from her second “Poppins” novel. She hoped Julie Andrews would reprise her role, but at the time, Andrews had retired, and Travers struggled to find a suitable actor to play Bert’s brother. Michael Jackson was considered for the part, although it never came to pass. In 2015, after the premiere of the musical film “Into the Woods,” Disney enlisted director Rob Marshall for the sequel “Mary Poppins Returns,” which would be inspired by parts of Travers’ remaining books and produced with the approval of her estate.

The 10 Best Sequels of the Last 10 Years (2015-2024)

10. Magic Mike XXL (2015)

In a direct comparison, it’s evident that the sequel, “XXL,” surpasses the original “Magic Mike” in several aspects. By eliminating certain characters like Alex Pettyfer and Matthew McConaughey, it discards the tired drug-and-greed narrative that weighed down the latter half of “Magic Mike.” This decision also expanded screen time for the rest of the Kings of Tampa, transforming them from peripheral figures into a cohesive ensemble.

Unlike the first movie that was primarily focused on business, this sequel centers around pure pleasure. A significant enhancement is the introduction of more engaging female characters who are not mere targets for the Kings’ schemes. In stark contrast to the first film, these men are no longer seeking to exploit; instead, they strive to express themselves genuinely. They abandon stereotypical stripper personas in favor of dances and personas that reflect their true identities. The reprisal of “Pony” in “XXL” is a testament to this, as Channing Tatum dances not for tips but for the sheer joy of it. Although the audience is the only one watching on-screen, they are undeniably captivated by this performance.

9. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’m eagerly anticipating the expanded vision of “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” the ambitious sequel to “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” This time around, Miles Morales finds himself squaring off against Spider-Man 2099 and his “Spider Society,” a group dedicated to safeguarding the multiverse from “anomalies” such as the Spot, a formidable new villain capable of opening interdimensional portals at will. While “Into the Spider-Verse” was visually stunning, “Across the Spider-Verse” promises to be even more spectacular and daring. For instance, Spider-Gwen’s world is brought to life like a watercolor painting in motion, while Spider-Man India hails from a vibrant “Mumbattan” that swirls with shades of yellows and greens. The only potential drawback? It’s the first part of a two-part story, and at times, it feels like just that.

8. Jackass Forever (2022)

In an incredibly entertaining sequel from the past decade, the sharpest and most imaginative comics known for their dumb humor came together once more to showcase a series of risky stunts, playful pranks, and an unprecedented amount of male frontal nudity in mainstream cinema. Now in their 40s and 50s, the Jackass crew might not be as agile as before, but they’ve never been funnier. Newcomers such as Rachel Wolfson and Sean “Poopies” McInerney held their own, facing challenges like being stung by scorpions or drenched in disgusting bodily fluids. If this is the last Jackass production, they ended on a high note (though it’s easy to achieve greatness after receiving a crotch blow).

7. John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum (2019)

The entirety of “John Wick: Chapter 3” is breathtaking, but the movie’s initial 40 minutes, during which Keanu Reeves’ relentless assassin escapes New York City in various ways (including running, biking, and horseback riding, as well as literally killing a man with a book) might just be the finest uninterrupted cinematic work of the past decade. John Wick, though you may be excommunicated, you will never cease to occupy a special place in my heart. I have a strong feeling that we will cross paths again soon, at least on this list.

6. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

The film “Blade Runner 2049” accomplished what seemed unattainable: It continued the narrative of a widely cherished science-fiction tale without resolving any of the enigmas that made the original so intriguing. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, this visually stunning extension of Ridley Scott’s examination of life in a damaged future successfully updated its dystopian technology while maintaining the aesthetic of the first movie. Additionally, Harrison Ford delivered a surprisingly emotional performance—his best in years—as Rick Deckard. Ford’s return in “Blade Runner 2049” seems like an extension of one of the film’s key themes: In even the darkest periods, there’s always hope for doing something meaningful.

5. John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

In the John Wick series, while chapter 4 doesn’t mark the end of the story, it undeniably reaches its pinnacle. This is particularly evident in the film’s finale, where Keanu Reeves’ John Wick battles his way up a colossal staircase leading to the Sacré-Cœur church in Paris. Clocking in at three hours, and packed with action sequences that could easily fill three movies, John Wick: Chapter 4 sees its titular character traversing the globe in search of a means to bring an end to his brutal conflict with the High Table. Reeves continues to impress as a complex and moving anti-hero, this time sharing the screen with the series’ most formidable action stars yet: Scott Adkins, Laurence Fishburne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, and notably Donnie Yen as the blind swordswoman/assassin Caine. It remains to be seen how Reeves and director Chad Stahelski could possibly surpass this installment, but I would eagerly look forward to more such attempts.

4. Mission: Impossible — Fallout (2018)

In essence, the movie “Fallout” brings together all the thrilling aspects of multiple “Mission: Impossible” installments in one package. It offers quick-paced action sequences, sharp dialogues, jaw-dropping visuals, unexpected plot turns, ambiguous character relationships, and a touch of complex romantic entanglements between Ethan Hunt, Ilsa Faust, and his wife Julia. Tom Cruise takes to the skies, performing helicopter flights and HALO jumps, though not necessarily in that sequence. To be honest, considering it’s Tom Cruise, it’s almost surprising he didn’t try to do a HALO jump onto a moving helicopter and then fly it himself!

3. Creed (2015)

As a movie critic, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing a cinematic marvel that seamlessly blends legacy and innovation – the extraordinary “legacyquel” titled “Creed II”. In this film, the iconic Rocky Balboo (Sylvester Stallone) gracefully transitions into the mentor role, echoing the spirit of the legendary Mickey, to guide a fresh protagonist: Adonis “Donnie” Creed, the illegitimate son of Rocky’s formidable rival, Apollo Creed.

The outstanding prequel, “Creed”, brilliantly portrayed by Michael B. Jordan as Donnie, unfolds the captivating tale of a man leaving behind a comfortable life in finance to pursue his dreams and honor his father’s legacy by stepping into the boxing ring himself.

Director and co-writer Ryan Coogler masterfully tapped into the deep-rooted history of the “Rocky” franchise to craft a character study that resonates profoundly with the original film. The most striking boxing sequences, both in direction and choreography, surpass anything this series has ever offered.

“Rocky” has always been about the power of endurance, about standing tall even when the odds are stacked against you. After decades, “Creed” breathes new life into the franchise, elevating it to its artistic pinnacle once more, standing proudly atop the east entrance steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Arts.

2. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

In the 2020s, it’s challenging to imagine a more non-essential film than the sequel to “Top Gun”. However, against all odds, director Joseph Kosinski and actor-producer Tom Cruise demonstrated remarkable determination and dedication to classic cinema techniques. As a result, they managed to create a “Top Gun” sequel that wasn’t just entertaining and action-packed, but also seemed contemporary – not necessarily about politics, but certainly about the appeal of cinematic spectacle only possible on a large screen. In today’s world, this could be considered an unconventional perspective.

1. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Fury Road” stands out as one of the best sequels from the past decade, perhaps even this century. Not only are its action sequences impressive, but it’s also one of the most spiritually profound and allegorical films of recent years. It’s like a modern-day exodus story, where a band of courageous women, led by the iconic Imperator Furiosa (played by Charlize Theron), journey through the desert in search of a new paradise, guided by a mad prophet figure (Tom Hardy as Max). George Miller’s masterful chaos demonstrates that sequels can indeed be both exciting and intelligent. If someone tries to tell you otherwise, you can confidently say, “That’s absurd.

2025-06-20 16:26