Movies That Took Over 20 Years For A Sequel, Ranked By Box Office

As a lifelong film enthusiast who grew up in the ’80s and ’90s, I can’t help but marvel at the power of cinema to captivate and inspire audiences across generations. The movies that have left an indelible mark on me are often those that took over two decades for a sequel to grace our screens – the anticipation was always palpable, and the final product seldom disappointed.

In Hollywood, the success of a movie often leads to a sequel. This rule is quite straightforward. However, putting it into practice isn’t always easy, resulting in significant delays between film installments. Sometimes, the gap between movies is so extensive that a child could be born, grow up, and even graduate from college before the next one arrives. The reasons for these long breaks are varied.

1. Occasionally, it’s about actors or filmmakers seeking recognition or control over creative decisions. At times, it’s all about refining the narrative for the perfect storytelling experience. However, often, the main reason is that the original cast member may be experiencing a career decline and needs financial support, or the studio wants to reap profits by reviving old franchises when their current projects are not profitable anymore. In such cases, they look to the treasure trove of nostalgia for a potential profit boost!

1. Is it a wise decision? In some cases, yes. Some memorable legacy sequels are quite enjoyable (and profitable as well), while others, frankly speaking, should have never been revived. These film franchises took over 20 years to produce a sequel, and the box office earnings serve as an indicator of whether the audiences found the wait worthwhile or not.

14. Bill and Ted Face The Music

1) The title of the movie “Bill & Ted Face the Music” seemed surprisingly prophetic, though one might argue that “Bill & Ted Face the Firing Squad” could have been more fitting. In the latter part of the 2010s, Keanu Reeves made an unexpected resurgence in his career, which we could label the “Reeves-renaissance.” He was affectionately known as the internet’s favorite boyfriend, thanks to his charismatic image, and found renewed fame playing the role of John Wick – a ruthless, gun-toting professional assassin seeking revenge for his deceased dog.

With his accomplishments from the “John Wick” films, it made sense for Reeves to revive two of his iconic characters: Ted from “Bill and Ted,” and Neo from “The Matrix.” However, releasing “Bill and Ted Face The Music” after a nearly 30-year wait, in the midst of the pandemic in 2020, proved to be a challenging time for its box office performance. Despite COVID-friendly grading, its global revenue of $6.2 million didn’t shine brilliantly.

13. T2: Trainspotting

If the idea of watching a darkly humorous film about a group of heroin addicts in economically struggling Edinburgh, Scotland appeals to you, you’re not the only one. Released in the 1990s, “Trainspotting” was director Danny Boyle’s second project, and it cost just $3.1 million to produce. Surprisingly, this modest investment brought in a substantial return of $71 million at the global box office. Either the ’90s were an unusual era, or audiences were more daring in their movie choices.

Regardless, Boyle moved on to new endeavors, achieving Academy Awards for “Slumdog Millionaire.” On the other hand, McGregor’s filmography consisted mainly of small-scale indie projects, such as the “Star Wars” prequels. Jokingly put, they were far from another drug-themed movie. In essence, both men stayed occupied, presumably avoiding the allure of more drug-centric films.

It took 21 years after their first adventure for the group to come together once again in “T2: Trainspotting” or “T2: Judgment Day.” The reception towards this sequel was varied. Critics gave it satisfactory reviews, while the box office revenue of $42 million fell short by nearly $30 million compared to the original, even considering three decades of inflation and a budget six times larger.

12. Doctor Sleep

1. Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” is widely recognized as a timeless horror masterpiece, except by its original author, Stephen King, who has openly expressed his dislike of it for four decades. In contrast, King wrote a sequel to the book called “Doctor Sleep.” Interestingly, Hollywood opted to base a sequel on that very same book, a work that was not to King’s liking. Do you follow?

In simpler terms, “Doctor Sleep” is both a continuation of the film Stephen King disapproved of and a cinematic interpretation of the novel. The complex nature of this production is common in the entertainment industry. Unfortunately, “Doctor Sleep” underperformed at the box office, earning only $71 million globally against a production cost of $45 million.

Around forty years ago, “The Shining” earned approximately $46 million globally with a production budget of $19 million. This equates to over $140 million in 2019, the year “Doctor Sleep” was released. It’s worth pondering if producing “Doctor Sleep” instead of remaking “The Shining” was a wise decision, given that Stephen King’s “It” series generated over $1 billion worldwide in box office revenue.

11. Predators

The 1987 “Predator” film is a prime example of ’80s action movies at their best, not only due to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s iconic one-liners but also because of its clever combination of his lone warrior persona with horror elements and the sharp humor of screenwriter Shane Black. With worldwide box office earnings of $98 million against a production budget of $18 million, most likely used generously on Schwarzenegger’s cigar expenses.

In the follow-up film named “Predator 2,” which came out in 1990, the production budget increased significantly from the original to $35 million. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Carl Weathers were no longer part of the cast, instead being replaced by Danny Glover and Gary Busey. The absence of big-name stars led to only making $54 million at the box office globally. This resulted in a pause in Predator’s standalone stories for the next 20 years. Nonetheless, the character continued to be relevant due to the successful “Alien vs. Predator” spinoff series that brought in an impressive $300 million.

2010’s movie “Predators” brought the Predator back solo (sort of) on the big screen, where it dropped our unfortunate protagonists onto a planet inhabited by these alien hunters. The film managed to rake in an impressive $127 million against a budget of just $40 million, but it took another eight years for a sequel to follow. In 2018, “The Predator” became the highest-grossing film in the franchise with a haul of $159 million, but its production cost was a hefty $88 million. More recently, the character made a successful return to streaming platforms via the well-received 2022 release “Prey.”

10. Dumb and Dumber To

1990s comedy legend Jim Carrey often sparks our desire for a repeat performance of his iconic characters. However, Carrey typically avoids reprising the same roles twice. This was the case before his diminishing fame made him more open to revisiting at least one of those roles.

For instance, the “Dumb and Dumber” films are a prime example. In 1994, the first installment came out, marking an impressive year for Carrey after “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” and “The Mask.” These two movies propelled Carrey from “In Living Colour” cast member to Hollywood’s top earner. The success of “Dumb and Dumber,” which grossed $246 million globally on a $16 million budget, made a sequel seem like an intelligent choice. However, the production cost of $16 million no longer covered Carrey’s salary alone, and he wasn’t keen either.

Instead of continuing the storyline from the original series, a prequel titled “Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd” was released in 2003 without Carrey or Jeff Daniels. Despite lackluster reviews and a modest $28 million worldwide gross (a fraction of the original’s earnings), the duo reunited after eleven years for “Dumb and Dumber To” in 2014, which went on to make an impressive $156 million.

9. Twisters

An unpretentious money-maker like the “Twister” film series can be surprisingly appealing to audiences. Consider this: “Twister,” with its star-studded production crew consisting of Jan de Bont (director of “Speed”), Michael Crichton (author of “Jurassic Park” and co-writer), and Steven Spielberg (a list of whose credits is too long to mention here), offered the tantalizing prospect of extensive damage, even a flying cow. Add to that A-list actors Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt as the charming leads from “Mad About You,” and you’ve got all the ingredients for a blockbuster hit.

1. “Twister” certainly made a big impact, raking in $495 million globally and ranking as the second highest-grossing film of 1996, only behind “Independence Day.” However, much like “Independence Day: Resurgence,” the initial reception to “Twister” was somewhat skeptical with people asking, “Another sequel? Really?” Could every hit movie from the ’90s warrant a follow-up film? Will we soon see a new “Face/Off”?

As a dedicated gamer and movie enthusiast, I was taken aback by the surprising success of the long-awaited “Twisters” sequel. Contrary to popular belief, it seems the public’s appetite for more thrilling twister action remained undiminished, even after 28 years. The box office numbers spoke volumes – an impressive $81 million in opening weekend revenue (more than double that of the original, without adjusting for inflation), and a promising $221 million worldwide after only three weeks. There are numerous factors contributing to this blockbuster performance, but the most significant one is the enduring appeal of the franchise to its devoted fanbase.

8. Blade Runner 2049

1. If you’ve spent any time on the web, you’re well aware that the internet has a strong affinity for “Blade Runner.” However, this admiration hasn’t translated into theater seats, or at least not enough to entice moviegoers who aren’t constantly online to catch it. In another instance demonstrating “the internet isn’t a reflection of reality,” Warner Brothers gave the green light for a sequel to “Blade Runner” in 2017, despite the original flopping at the box office back in 1982 with just $39 million globally.

As a seasoned film critic with over two decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of box office hits and misses. But even for someone like me, the success story of the original production left an indelible mark on the industry. It wasn’t just a critical darling; it had also cultivated a devoted fan base. So when word got out that they were considering a sequel, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of excitement.

It’s unclear what Warner Brothers had in mind, but “Blade Runner 2049” managed to rake in $258 million globally. This isn’t a disappointing figure, especially considering it’s a sequel to a movie that bombed at the box office three decades ago. However, it didn’t meet the studio’s expectations of a massive hit and failed to cover the high production costs.

7. Mary Poppins Returns

Mary Poppins: The Sequel, released in 2018, has the longest interval between installments among our selections. The initial film premiered in 1964, meaning over fifty years elapsed before the follow-up hit theaters. Disney investing in a sequduring such an extended hiatus raised some eyebrows. But surprisingly, it proved to be a successful wager.

As a gamer, I can tell you that “Mary Poppins Returns” had a tough act to follow. The 1964 version raked in an impressive $102 million at the box office, which is equivalent to over a billion dollars today. Mary Poppins, portrayed by Julie Andrews, was truly beloved back then. Fortunately, the original has continued to resonate with audiences for over six decades. Each generation has passed down this magical tale, keeping its charm alive and well.

1. In Mary Poppins Returns, Emily Blunt replaced Andrews; this film generated $345 million on a $130 million budget. Although it didn’t reach the same success level as the original movie, it significantly outperformed some of Disney’s biggest live-action flops.

6. Mad Max: Fury Road

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but marvel at the cinematic masterpiece that is “Mad Max: Fury Road.” It’s no secret that it’s often hailed as one of the best action movies ever made, with an impressive 10 Oscar nominations (even contending for Best Picture) and a total of six wins. Yet, in the whirlwind of its acclaim, it’s easy to overlook the financial gamble it represented.

1. Although “Mad Max: Fury Road” catapulted Mel Gibson into prominence, it was actually “Lethal Weapon” that turned him into a bona fide star. Interestingly, Gibson didn’t appear in “Fury Road,” as he was replaced by Tom Hardy, a talented actor, albeit not one known for box office success. Launching a sequel to a classic film after three decades without the original star and a whopping $150 million budget? Kudos to Warner Brothers for their audacity!

1. The payoff was commensurate with the danger: Propelled by phenomenal feedback, “Fury Road” zoomed to a global gross of $368 million — an acceptable profit, yet not enough to claim the “Mad Max” franchise as unbeatable. In 2024, Warner Brothers launched a Mad Max film without Max Rockatansky. Unsurprisingly, “Furiosa” faltered, taking in $172 million worldwide against a production budget of $168 million.

5. Independence Day: Resurgence

2015 saw the release of “Jurassic World,” the first Jurassic Park movie in 14 years, bringing a powerful dose of dinosaur excitement to summer cinemas. Its opening weekend grossed an impressive $208 million, breaking the record for highest opening weekend at that time. The film went on to earn $1.6 billion worldwide. Those behind the upcoming “Independence Day” sequel likely expected similar success in 2016, considering that the original “Independence Day” dominated summer 1996 with a global gross of $817 million – equivalent to over $1.6 billion today.

Investing $165 million for a follow-up to an iconic movie like “Independence Day,” with a budget $50 million less than “Jurassic World,” seemed logical given the return of original directors Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin, as well as stars Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman. However, it turned out that the audience was not interested in this sequel, titled “Independence Day: Resurgence.” Contrary to expectations, the film flopped with a $41 million opening weekend, which was even lower than its original debut, and it only managed to earn $384 million globally. The question is, why did this happen?

4. Tron: Legacy

The film industry has shown us time and again that producing an expensive follow-up to a box office flop from decades ago, which later gained cult status through home video sales, is usually a disastrous move, but “Tron: Legacy” proved to be the rare exception. In 1982, the original “Tron” earned just $26 million globally against a production budget of $17 million. However, its fanbase grew over the next three decades due to home video availability, persuading Disney to invest a substantial $200 million in a sequel almost three decades later.

1. In terms of its performance at the box office, Tron: Legacy (released in 2010) raked in approximately $399 million globally. However, considering that a movie needs to earn between 2 and 2.5 times its production budget to be profitable in theaters, Tron: Legacy fell short of expectations. With over a decade having passed since its release, we’re doubtful that the upcoming sequel, Tron: Ares (due out in October 2025), will significantly alter the direction of this franchise.

3. Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle

A once struggling actor in big-budget films, Dwayne Johnson, formerly known as a box office flop, owes his notoriety mainly to the “Fast and Furious” series. However, this franchise had amassed close to a billion dollars in earnings before Johnson significantly boosted its success. For undeniable evidence of Johnson’s drawing power, examine the “Jumanji” films instead.

In the late 1990s, the movie “Jumanji,” based on the book of the same name, transformed into an extravagant production featuring Robin Williams, raking in $252 million globally against a budget of $65 million. During that time, not every project required a follow-up. However, when “Zathura” underperformed with just $58 million earnings in 2005, the studio waited for another opportunity. After a dozen years, they released “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” at a lower budget of $90 million. Instead of sticking to the original board game-themed family fantasy, they opted for high-energy antics in a video game universe to attract contemporary audiences.

“The film ‘Welcome To The Jungle’ was extremely successful. It grossed almost a billion dollars globally, earning more money than both ‘Jumanji’ and ‘Zathura’ combined, which is the same as twice their total earnings. This impressive feat was also achieved by the 2019 release of ‘Jumanji: The Next Level’.”

2. Top Gun: Maverick

“Top Gun” is a film from the 1980s that deserves a spot in our cultural time capsule. While not everyone may be deeply in love with it, most people can agree that it has become an enduring part of American pop culture, alongside films like “Back to the Future” and “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.” With a production budget of $15 million, “Top Gun” went on to gross over $357 million worldwide, equivalent to around $1 billion after adjusting for inflation. At the 1986 global box office, it surpassed the earnings of “Crocodile Dundee.” (It’s a shame there hasn’t been a worthy sequel yet.)

An notion that a new “Top Gun” installment would not only match but surpass the original seemed implausible. However, Tom Cruise proved us wrong by delivering an impressive $126 million opening, followed by continuous earnings due to its enduring appeal. (Or, Tom Cruise defied expectations with a successful “Top Gun: Maverick,” raking in $126 million initially and maintaining its success with its long-lasting allure.)

Boosted by positive word-of-mouth, the film “Maverick” amassed a staggering $1.4 billion globally, significantly surpassing its predecessor, even when adjusted for inflation. Moreover, it garnered six Academy Award nominations, one of which was for Best Picture. Not only did “Maverick” outshine “Top Gun,” but it left the original in its wake, trailing behind like a fading afterglow.

1. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

In the past, before becoming a contentious streaming brand, “Star Wars” ruled the cinematic world with its massive success. This isn’t just our opinion; the evidence speaks for itself. The series amassed an impressive $10.3 billion globally, which averaged approximately $860 million per film without adjusting for inflation.

1) Inquiry: What’s the latest news? Although a detailed discussion is reserved for another occasion, it’s undeniable that the prequel series, despite its commercial success, fell short of critical acclaim. With the original trilogy’s sequel long-awaited by fans (32 years to be exact), there was an eagerness to revisit Luke, Han, and Leia on the big screen once more. Regrettably, that opportunity never materialized, but the promise was too intriguing to ignore.

2015 saw “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” breaking box office records by earning a worldwide sum of $247 million on its opening day, eventually raking in over $2 billion globally. This made it the highest-grossing film in the franchise (excluding inflation adjustments). It also ranked as the fifth highest-grossing movie worldwide and held the title for the top domestic earner of all time. Since then, the saga has continued, with fans still feeling the power of “Star Wars” in 2015.

2024-07-30 14:31