In the past, there was the overwhelming idea that sequels were by default inferior. Yet today, people are more lenient when it comes to the idea of sequels. One genre of film that definitely contains more than its fair share of sequels is horror. On the whole, many horror sequels are pretty darn bad, or they're just nothing to write home about. That's not to say there aren't horror sequels that do work. On the contrary, there are a number of scary cinematic continuations that keep the screams going. So, let's check out ten of the best horror sequels according to IMDb.
Final Destination 3 (2006) — 5.8
A teenager supernaturally and correctly predicts her and others' deaths if they all ride a roller coaster. After she and her fellow classmates narrowly escape death, they're each killed off in the order they should have died on the roller coaster.
Although the third film ranks lower than the first two entries in the successful Final Destination series, it's beloved by fans for several reasons. The roller coaster disaster in the opening act is exciting; the characters' death sequences are wildly imaginative and gruesome; the darkly humorous tone was appreciated by audiences.
Unfriended: Dark Web (2018) — 5.9
After a man takes home an unclaimed laptop in a lost-and-found, the previous owner watches him and his friends' every move both on and offline. He will now do whatever it takes to get the laptop back.
A sizable problem with the original desktop horror Unfriended was the veritably obnoxious cast of characters that no one rooted for. The sequel corrects this error by giving us characters we actually do want to see survive. As a result, Unfriended: Dark Web is a worthwhile sequel that, believe it or not, sures the first movie.
Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981) — 6.1
Camp Crystal Lake is shut down after a deadly massacre. A nearby camp, however, experiences an eerily similar situation when an unseen assailant picks off the counselors one by one. This time, however, the killer wears a canvas sack over his or her head. Who could it be?
Many of the devoted Friday the 13th fandom claim the first sequel it superior to Sean S. Cunningham's original. There were disagreements behind the scenes over the inclusion of Jason Voorhees, but audiences went with it. The general consensus is Part 2 is an improved remake of the first film.
Happy Death Day 2U (2019) — 6.2
Tree was stuck in a time loop where someone dressed as her college's mascot stalked and killed her over and over again. She finally ended the time loop only to have another one begin. Now, she and those privy to her plight learn the origin of the loops.
Happy Death Day was not only a bonafide box office hit for Blumhouse, but it was also a critical darling. The sequel didn't quite rake in ticket sales like its predecessor, but viewers enjoyed the sequel's slapstick humor and emotional appeal. Lead Jessica Rothe was once again applauded for her performance.
The Exorcist III (1990) — 6.3
Lieutenant William F. Kinderman investigates a series of murders that remind him of the Gemini Killer. There's a problem, though; the Gemini is dead. Kinderman's investigation then leads him to a man who resembles a dead priest named Father Damien Karras. There's a connection between the new murders and the lookalike, but what is it?
The studio forced a lot of changes before The Exorcist III was released, but a "director's cut" resembling William Peter Blatty's original vision was later released in 2016. Back then, the character-driven sequel was commended for being bold and, at times, scarier than the 1973 movie.
Psycho II (1983) — 6.5
After he's released from two decades worth of psychiatric care, Norman Bates returns to his notorious home in hopes of living in peace. That peace never comes, though, as the townspeople fear him, and the ghosts of Norman's past haunt him.
With the original Psycho being such a trailblazer in proto-slasher history, people were—and still are—wary of its first sequel. For anyone who's given this followup a chance, they realize how wrong they were for putting it off for so long. In retrospect, harsher critics have come around, too.
Halloween (2018) — 6.6
It's been forty years since Laurie Strode fought Michael Myers on Halloween night. She suffers tremendously from PTSD, and she has a strained relationship with her daughter Karen. On the anniversary of their first encounter, Michael escapes custody and confronts Laurie. This time, however, Laurie is prepared for him.
Before its release, the 2018 Halloween stirred up controversy among fans. It was largely because the movie ignores the events of Halloween II and onward. Reviews were mixed, but the reboot was generally celebrated. Jamie Lee Curtis was especially heralded for her reprisal of the most iconic "final girl" ever.
28 Weeks Later (2007) — 7.0
Six weeks later following the deadly outbreak that wiped out much of Britain, the authorities claim the Rage Virus is a thing of the past. As American soldiers are shipped in to help with the recovery, a refugee introduces a deadlier strain of the virus.
The first film's director Danny Boyle couldn't return due to a prior commitment, but his successor Juan Carlos Fresnadillo provided an excellent, well-liked sequel nonetheless. 28 Weeks Later was praised for its action scenes, a sheer sense of brutality, and an overall amount of enthusiasm.
The Conjuring 2 (2016) — 7.2
After taking a much-needed break from all things paranormal, Ed and Lorraine Warren travel to Enfield, North London to investigate another haunting. This time, a single mother believes she and her four children are under siege by a malevolent entity inside their council home.
The Conjuring was the start of a creative and lucrative franchise. The films signaled a resurgence in spook tales, too. The 2016 sequel is crucial to the series' overall mythos that governs the Conjuring-verse. In addition, the film boasts some exciting new specters and an effective use of setting.
Evil Dead II (1987) — 7.8
When he and his girlfriend visit an empty cabin for a vacation, Ash accidentally plays a taped recording of someone reciting pages from the Book of the Dead. In turn, a Kandarian Demon is unleashed, and the nightmare begins all over again.
Evil Dead II is basically a remake of the first movie, but director Sam Raimi had a bigger budget this time around. To boot, many fans consider it better than the 1981 movie. As for the critics, they were drawn to the sequel's inane goriness and comedy in addition to Bruce Campbell's performance.
