Last time I presented you guys with
The 30 Best Horror Sequels Ever. Now, I wanted to give you some sequels that are underrated and/ or overlooked. A bunch of these don't get talked about enough (some are outright forgotten) or get way more hate than they deserve. What should be getting, instead, is another shot.
25. The Howling VI: The Freaks (1991)- The first
Howling is, in my humble opinion, the greatest werewolf movie. Its sequel suck wolf dick, though. Then low and behold, we got to the sixth one, and it is actually good! Wait, what?! Yup, it is. Featuring an awesome vampire vs. werewolf story, a kick ass climax, and awesome FX, this is one that is unexpected in its quality, unlike the crap that comes before and follows it...
24. Alien: Resurrection (1997)- Alien 3 tends to split the audience (count me in as not a fan...), however, this fourth entry feels like it gets more hate. Which is a shame since it is a fun and, I think, more enjoyable installment. It has an amazing cast, some really cool practical effects, and great gore. Plus, the underwater scene is pretty fucking awesome!
23. Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (2000)- Unjustly maligned second entry is way better than its reputation. Also, it has aged a lot better than its preceding movie, which, in my humble opionion does not hold up today. If you wanna read more of my thoughts on it, go
here.
22. The First Purge (2018)- This prequel to
The Purge franchise is an entertaining and interesting one. It fills in the early story quite well, with a politically charged script, strong acting, and rousing and violent action.
21. See No Evil 2 (2014)- The first movie is a decent enough slasher movie, but this is one is much better But, then again it is made by the always awesome Soska sister, who elevate this slasher flick thanks to some stylish directing and great gore. It's a fun flick too, with Kane returning as Jacob Goodnight, and some pretty good acting. Also, the three ladies (Danielle Harris, Katharine Isabelle, and Chelan Simmons) are insanely gorgeous.
20. Species II (1998)- Admit ably I am not a big fan of the first film, although it has some good things (mostly Natasha Henstridge). But, I do enjoy this sequel quite a bit more. It is gloriously sleazy, especially for a big budget studio horror franchise flick. The practical effects are awesome, and there is some really good gore. It's great to see Michael Madsen, the gorgeous Marg Helgenberger, and, of course, the absolutely stunning Henstridge come back . In the later's case, it is even more fun to cheer for her this time around. In all, this superior sequel is a bloody and sexy good time.
19. Amityville: The Awakening (2017)- This one definitely falls under it has no right to be this good category. Especially when you realize that so many of the movies in this series are crappy, how often it was delayed (and eventually sent direct to VOD), and that is seemingly was cut from an R to a PG-13. Yet, despite a slow pace, it tells a good and involving (albeit unoriginal) story and has some solid acting from the cast, including the gorgeous
Bella Thorne. Who, may I say, looks hot as fucking hell as a goth chick!
18. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)- Often forgotten, this prequel tells of the early years of the lycan/ vampire battle. It's exciting, fast paced, and gory. I believe it to be the second best sequel (after the second flick). And, it is really helped by the underrated Rhona Mitra, who is among the most naturally sexy actresses ever.
17. Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)- This one gets some hate sometimes, but those who love it know how good it is. OK, so you could say that explaining so much about Michael isn't the right choice. But, you know what? I think it works much better than the story of 2018's
Halloween. There are two versions of this film, as most of you know. The theatrical cut is the shorter and faster flick, with some cool gore (including an awesome exploding head). And, while that ending is bad, it's better than the producer's cut. But, that cut tells a better and more fleshed out story. Either cut is entertaining and has some likable performances. I enjoy watching it quite a bit more than some other more popular entries (including the aforementioned latest installment). It's nicely shot too and has some pretty ladies, adding to its appeal. Oh, and before you say
Halloween III: Season of the Witch, that movie hasn't been underrated in a very long time.
16. Aliens Vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)- The first
AVP is OK, just OK. It is marred by a stupid PG-13 rating and terrible human characters that you won't give a flying fuck about. But, the monster action was cool. This sequel is often crapped on, and I don't get why. It is a much better movie than that aforementioned flick. The gore here is graphic, and the movie has a real mean spirit to it. The pacing is fast, and it tells an enjoyable if empty headed story. About, my only real complaint is that the flick is too darkly lit. The Blu-ray does help out, in this department, though.
15. Amityville: It's About Time (1992)- By fucking FAR the best of the cursed items
Amityville films, this one is a total delight. It has some solid acting (including a very sexy performance by the gorgeous Megan Ward) and some of the best gore of the entire franchise. I've long been a fan of this flick, and it actually has aged really well. As a matter of fact, I think I like it even more nowadays!
14. Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992)- Let's cut straight to the point here. This is the last good
Hellraiser movie, as the rest that follow can honestly rot in hell for I fucking care. It isn't as great, as the first two, but that is OK. The flick is a ton of fun. It moves at a fast pace, has some great gore, a good cast, hot babes (including Terry
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Farrell and
Paula Marshall), and an absolutely killer rock/ heavy metal soundtrack.
13. The Fly II (1989)- First and foremost, this movie is nowhere near as great as David Cronenberg's superlative and preceding masterpiece. But, it works wonderfully as a rousing and fun monster sci-fi/ horror movie. It is elevated by the amazing FX work by Chris Walas (who also directed), including some great gore. The later of which includes a face melting and head crushing that push the limits of the R-rating. There is also some great acting, especially from Eric Stoltz, who like in
Mask, shows that how good an actor he is even under latex, the beautiful Daphne Zuniga, and the villainous character played by Lee Richardson. It is also not above adding a lot of heart, too, including an utter heartbreaking moment involving a doggie, that all these years and viewings later I cannot watch. Cause if I do, I fucking break and cry my eyes out.
12. Resident Evil: Extinction (2007)- Taking place in a ruined La Vegas, this fast past and action packed sequel is honest to God my favorite entry in this silly series. The lovely Mila Jovovich kicks some major ass and there is lots of wonderful bits of splattery violence. Plus, it bought it in the addition of the absolutely gorgeous Ali Larter, making it even more awesome! The less said of two piece of shit movies that followed it the better, though...
11. Freddy Vs. Jason (2003)- It took forever for this crossover to be made. And, yes it has its issues (some humor doesn't work, Jason's fear of water makes no sense within the context of the franchise, Kane Hodder is missed), but it is still a shit load of fun. There some killer gore and a really nice stylish look to it. Plus, the metal soundtrack is pretty fucking cool. I truly think that it ranks with the best entries in both franchises.
10. Jigsaw (2010)- I honestly didn't think that this movie would tie into the preceding movies and do it so well. But, thanks to a solid script it really does! The gore and traps are cool, including a wicked and bloody laser gag. The girls are pretty, and the acting is really good. I honest to God, wish they had continued from here. But, I guess we shall see where it all goes when
Spiral comes out next year, or whenever the fuck this damn virus lets come out.
9. Wishmaster: The Prophecy Fulfilled (2002)- People love to shit on the non-Andrew Divoff
Wishmaster movies. And, well they should totally take a dump on the third one. However, this is a good fucking entry. I love that the three wishes are actually made. It makes for a good story, which in turn is further lifted by strong acting especially from the absolutely stunning
Tara Spencer-Nairn (who wins extra points as one of the few final girls to get naked). And, you know what? I am gonna take this chance to say this is is my favorite entry in the franchise. So how is that for praise?
8. Dracula's Daughter (1936)- Todd Browning's classic
Dracula is one of the seminal horror movies of all time. But, it is objectively only a decent movie. It feels staged and suffers from bad pacing. This all makes it a movie I respect but don't love. This one, its first sequel in the franchise, is a superior movie. It tells a good story and is much better paced. The beautiful Gloria Holden plays the title character wonderfully. She is seductive, deadly, and, at times, sympathetic. It also has a scene with very strong lesbian undertones that somehow made it past the Hayes codes.
7. Scre4m (2011)- I never expected this movie to be as good as it is. At this point in his career Wes Craven had been making movies that ranged from OK (
Red Eye) to utter garbage (
Curse,
My Soul to Take) and his own third
Scream flick was total shit itself. Well, low and behold, this one blew me away! It's fun and easily has the best gore in the series. Also, can I mention how much I love Hayden Panettiere's character? I mean she's a hottie who loves Argento, if that isn't wifey material, then I don't fucking know what is!
6. Paranormal Activity 3 (2011)- This franchise is a little uneven in quality, with the odd numbered entries being the best. And, this third entry is the best one, period. It is a great prequel, with one of fuck an ending and some really solid and creepy moments. And, yes by saying it is the best entry, I mean it is even better than the first flick!
5. Taste the Blood of Dracula (1970)- Brides of Dracula maybe the best of all Hammer's Dracula sequels, but this one is the best sequel actually featuring Christopher Lee as Dracula. Wonderfully evil and highly entertaining, this is a fucking killer entry in the series.
4. Final Destination 5 (2011)- To me this is the third best entry in the series, after the first two. The kills are gory, including a truly harrowing lasik surgery scene that will have anyone who uses glasses and/ or contacts squirming in their seats. And, the ending is fucking AWESOME!! For more of my thoughts, check out my
review.
3. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006)- This is gonna piss some off, but to me this is the second best entry in the entire franchise (after the Hooper original). This killer prequel to the exceptionally mediocre remake (an exercise in style over substance) is vastly superior. The characters are actually likable (imagine that in a slasher movie!) and the actors portraying them are good. Especially the beautiful Jordana Brewster, who is a great "final" girl. R. Lee Ermey is awesome once again as Hoyt, stealing some scenes outright! The gore is nasty and graphic, and the girls are really hot. Basically, this one does what it needs to do and then some!
2. I Spit on Your Grave 2 (2013)- This flick is a separate story from the previous remake, but it is connected by theme. It is a brutal and violently graphic entry in this splatter filled franchise. The flick has some harrowing rape and sexual torture scenes, but they pay off is once the revenge part starts. The absolutely stunning Jemma Dallender gives an amazing performance as our heroine. She is clearly sympathetic, and we cheer her on. Her vengeance scenes are bloody and violent involving, electrocution, shit, the series favorite of male genital violence, and more. It is a rough and uncompromising flick that deserves a lot more love and now!
1. Frankenstein Created Woman (1967)- How this one isn't more of a classic, I just don't know. First and foremost Peter Cushing gives his Dr. Frankenstein one of his most complex and interesting takes. Also, excellent is the beautiful Susan Denberg as the titular woman. She is one of Hammer's most fascinating female characters. Another of the best in Hammer is the story which tackles sexual identity, revenge, the human soul, and bullying. There is some gore, too, and an ending that is perfect to the story. In all, this one of Hammer's very best movie, and no less an expert than Martin Scorsese says it is his favorite.
Scream Factory put out a superlative Blu-ray of it, so now is the best time to rediscover this great flick.
I would love to know what are some of your favorite underrated or overlooked horror sequels. Let me know in the comments section. Also, be sure to stayed tuned for the final part of my sequel series as I pick the worst horror sequels!
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