10 Great Sci-Fi Movies Overshadowed By Their Sequels

Because of their wide-ranging, speculative nature, it is not at all uncommon for science fiction movies to inspire sequels, often more than one. The quality of these great sequels, however, has proven to be quite inconsistent. Unfortunately, many subsequent films fail to live up to the quality of the original. On the other hand, though, some sequels offer creative expansions of the worlds established by the films that inspired them, leading to great success both critically and commercially.

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Sometimes, sequels are so good that they even manage to overshadow the films that came before them. While it is great that these films receive such high praise and attention, it is a shame that the wonderful films that inspired them fall by the wayside. It is crucial to remember that these were the movies that first introduced audiences to their marvelous new worlds, establishing the settings and characters that would be dazzling viewers for years to come. Despite being great works of science fiction, these excellent films fell into the shadow of their popular sequels.

10 The Terminator (1984)

Overshadowed By Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

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9.6/10 The Terminator RActionSci-FiThriller

The Terminator is a sci-fi action film directed by James Cameron. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as a cyborg assassin sent from the future to kill Sarah Connor, played by Linda Hamilton, whose son will lead a resistance against machine domination. Michael Biehn portrays Kyle Reese, a soldier also sent back in time to protect Sarah. The film explores themes of time travel, artificial intelligence, and survival.

Director James Cameron Release Date October 26, 1984 Writers James Cameron , Gale Anne Hurd , William Wisher Cast Arnold Schwarzenegger , Michael Biehn , Linda Hamilton , Paul Winfield , Lance Henriksen , Bess Motta Runtime 107 Minutes Main Genre Thriller Expand

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Before Terminator 2: Judgment Day could establish itself as one of the best science fiction sequels of all time, James Cameron introduced audiences to the dangerous world of The Terminator. This 1984 feature blended elements of sci-fi and action to create a captivating story about a time-traveling killing machine determined to prevent the birth of the man who would one day go on to lead a rebellion against the self-aware robotic army.

The Terminator proved to be a major success, defying the expectations of many critics. The pleasant surprises did not end there, however, with Terminator 2: Judgment Day going on to receive widespread acclaim, while also dominating the box office, earning around 520 million dollars.

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The long-awaited sequel even managed to win four Academy Awards, a fairly rare feat for science fiction movies. While The Terminator was beloved for the seven years before Judgment Day was released, it quickly became overshadowed. Nevertheless, The Terminator remains an exciting, action-packed blast in its own right.

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9 Dune (2021)

Overshadowed By Dune: Part Two (2024)

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5/10 Dune PG-13ActionAdventureScience FictionDrama

Dune the big-screen adaptation of Frank Herbert’s seminal bestseller of the same name. A mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey, Dune tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence—a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential—only those who can conquer their fear will survive.

Director Denis Villeneuve Release Date October 22, 2021 Studio(s) Legendary Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Frank Herbert , Eric Roth , Denis Villeneuve , Jon Spaihts Cast Dave Bautista , Rebecca Ferguson , Sharon Duncan-Brewster , Jason Momoa , David Dastmalchian , Stephen McKinley Henderson , Stellan Skarsgård , Charlotte Rampling , Chang Chen , Oscar Isaac , Zendaya , Javier Bardem , Timothée Chalamet , Josh Brolin Runtime 155 minutes Expand

Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 adaptation of Frank Herbert’s beloved sci-fi novel, Dune, immediately blew audiences away with its stunning effects and meticulous world-building. The film follows a young hero named Paul Atreides (played by Timothée Chalamet) as his family is thrust into a war on the dangerous desert-like planet, Arrakis.

The massive success of the first film left expectations incredibly high for
Dune: Part Two
. Fortunately, Villeneuve not only met these expectations but vastly exceeded them.

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Dune was a box office smash and a critical hit, raking in ten Oscar nominations and six wins across an array of technical categories. The success of Dune and its gripping ending left audiences hungry for more. The massive success of the first film left expectations incredibly high for Dune: Part Two. Fortunately, Villeneuve not only met these expectations but vastly exceeded them.

Since its release in early 2024, Dune: Part Two has been earning huge praise from critics and audiences alike. With a dramatic, riveting continuation of the story, and an expansion of all the elements fans loved about the first film, Dune: Part Two has the potential to dominate the awards season. However, it is essential to remember that the film wouldn’t be the same without Dune to launch the story in the right direction.

8 Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)

Overshadowed By The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

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35 8.8/10 Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope PGActionAdventure Sci-FiFantasy

The film that began the Star Wars franchise, Episode IV – A New Hope tells the story of wistful Force-sensitive Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), who longs to leave his home planet of Tatooine to fight the evil Empire. After inheriting his Jedi father’s weapon, a lightsaber, Luke sets off under the tutelage of Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) with smuggler Han Solo (Harrison Ford) to join the Rebellion and face the evil Darth Vader.

Director George Lucas Release Date May 25, 1977 Studio(s) Lucasfilm Distributor(s) 20th Century Writers George Lucas Cast Mark Hamill , Harrison Ford , Carrie Fisher , Alec Guinness , David Prowse , James Earl Jones , Frank Oz , Anthony Daniels , Kenny Baker , Peter Mayhew , Peter Cushing Runtime 121 Minutes Main Genre Sci-Fi Expand

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It is no secret that Star Wars is easily among the most iconic science fiction franchises of all time. The series was a widespread phenomenon from the moment the first installment was released. Star Wars (now known as Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope) introduced audiences to characters, stories, and galaxies they had never even imagined.

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With the massive hype surrounding the film, a series of sequels seemed absolutely necessary, although it would be nearly impossible to live up to the standards set by the original. Incredibly, The Empire Strikes Back managed to defy the odds and gave the franchise a new installment that certainly rivaled (if not surpassed) A New Hope.

Thanks to the inclusion of one of the most iconic plot twists in cinema history, The Empire Strikes Back served as an exciting continuation of the first film that effectively avoided disappointing its audience. Years later, The Empire Strikes Back has come to be considered the greatest Star Wars movie by many, stealing the spotlight away from the film that started it all.

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7 Spider-Man (2002)

Overshadowed By Spider-Man 2 (2004)

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8/10 Spider-Man PG-13ActionAdventureSuperhero

Spider-Man is the first film in Sam Raimi’s trilogy starring Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker. Released in 2002, the film introduced superhero fans to a live-action Norman Osborn, played by Willem Dafoe, who is transformed into his villainous alter ego, Green Goblin, after being forced out of Oscorp Industries. At the same time, Peter Parker is grappling with his newfound abilities as the iconic wall-crawler.

Director Sam Raimi Release Date May 3, 2002 Studio(s) Marvel , Columbia Pictures Distributor(s) Sony Writers David Koepp Cast Tobey Maguire , Willem Dafoe , Kirsten Dunst , James Franco , Cliff Robertson , Rosemary Harris , J.K. Simmons , Joe Manganiello Runtime 121 Minutes Expand

Although the beloved superhero, Spider-Man, has made numerous film appearances over the years, many viewers first fell in love with the character while watching the trilogy of films directed by Sam Raimi. Released in 2002, Spider-Man launched the series, introducing viewers to Peter Parker (played by Tobey Maguire), a meek student whose life is turned upside-down when a radioactive spider gives him various unique abilities.

The film was very well-received, thanks to its exciting-yet-heartfelt story, as well as Maguire’s charming performance. Although fans were very satisfied with the quality of Spider-Man, its 2004 sequel, Spider-Man 2, gained even more praise. Part of what helped Spider-Man 2 surpass its predecessor was the introduction of its new lead villain, Doctor Octopus (played by Alfred Molina), whose emotional backstory made him a complex, interesting character.

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Spider-Man 2 used the elements established by the first film to help itself dive right into the action, offering a fun viewing experience from beginning to end. Nevertheless, Spider-Man remains an enjoyable sci-fi feature in its own right, introducing the world to Maguire’s beloved iteration of the character.

6 Cloverfield (2008)

Overshadowed By 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

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6.6/10 Cloverfield PG-13MysteryHorrorThrillerAdventureActionSci-Fi

Directed by Matt Reeves, Cloverfield is a found-footage disaster movie that follows a group of people seeking safety during a state of emergency. When New York City is attacked by an unknown monstrous entity, chaos ensues. A group of friends document their attempts to flee the city and find sanctuary from an onslaught of monsters on a handheld camcorder – footage which is designated as an account of the “Cloverfield” incident.

Director Matt Reeves Release Date January 15, 2008 Studio(s) Paramount Pictures Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures Writers Drew Goddard Cast Lizzy Caplan , Jessica Lucas , T.J. Miller , Michael Stahl-David , Mike Vogel , Odette Annable Runtime 85 minutes Expand

It is difficult to compare Cloverfield and its first sequel, 10 Cloverfield Lane, as they are such drastically different films. Released in 2008, Cloverfield employs a found-footage style to tell the story of a group of New Yorkers desperately trying to survive in the midst of a deadly attack by a massive, otherworldly creature.

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The gripping horror film was praised for its dedication to its unusual style, which helped add to the undeniably frightening effect of its story. Eight years later, the film’s sequel, 10 Cloverfield Lane, went in a completely different direction, although it remained just as intense and scary.

This follow-up film used a more straightforward, cinematic style, and focused on an entirely new set of characters. Instead of relying on visuals of the horrifying creatures, the film achieved its chilling nature through suspense and the characters’ own distrust of each other. 10 Cloverfield Lane was praised more highly by critics, particularly for its grounded, human-focused take on the alien invasion genre.

5 Blade Runner (1982)

Overshadowed By Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

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9.4/10 Blade Runner RDramaSci-FiThriller

The original Blade Runner is a sci-fi neo-noir film set in 2019 in a dystopian cyber-punk society. Harrison Ford stars as Rick Deckard as a Blade Runner for the LAPD, tasked with hunting rogue replicants, genetically engineered humans designed to tackle tasks that human beings cannot. When four replicants go rogue and begin killing humans, Deckard is forced out of retirement to hunt them down and stop them – but the truth isn’t as simple as it seems. Deckard will have to reckon with the philosophical dilemma of what makes someone human.

Director Ridley Scott Release Date June 25, 1982 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Hampton Fancher , David Webb Peoples , Philip K. Dick , Roland Kibbee Cast Harrison Ford , Rutger Hauer , Sean Young , Edward James Olmos , M. Emmet Walsh , Daryl Hannah , William Sanderson , Joe Turkel Runtime 117 minutes Main Genre Sci-Fi Expand

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Star Wars wasn’t the only popular sci-fi franchise to star Harrison Ford. In 1982, Ford stepped into the leading role in Blade Runner, an adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s classic novel, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Set in a futuristic version of Earth, the film follows an agent tasked with tracking down a series of human-like robots, calling into question what it really means to be a human.

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The film may not have been an immediate success, but it left a lasting legacy on the world of sci-fi cinema, the impact of which can still be felt today. Decades later, the film’s sequel, Blade Runner 2049, earned popularity and acclaim much more quickly. Set thirty years after the original, the film serves as a continuation of the story, with multiple actors (including Ford) returning to reprise their roles.

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Blade Runner 2049 was an immediate hit, earning nearly 280 million dollars (as opposed to the 42 million earned by the first one) and even winning multiple Academy Awards. Denis Villeneuve’s direction may have helped the sequel gain more popularity, but Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner remains an essential part of science fiction history.

4 Mad Max (1979)

Overshadowed By Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

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10 7.8/10 Mad Max RActionThriller Sci-Fi

Mad Max is a 1979 sci-fi action film from director and writer George Miller. Mel Gibson stars as Max a police officer in the future who goes after a gang of vicious motorcycle thugs. The film led to a long-running franchise including The Road Warrior, Beyond Thunderdome, Fury Road, and Furiosa.

Director George Miller Release Date March 21, 1980 Studio(s) Kennedy Miller Entertainment Distributor(s) Roadshow Film Distributors Writers George Miller , James McCausland , Byron Kennedy Cast Mel Gibson , Joanne Samuel , Hugh Keays-Byrne , Steve Bisley , Roger Ward , Tim Burns Runtime 88 Minutes Main Genre Action Expand

In 1979, George Miller created the outlandish Australian sci-fi/action film, Mad Max. The film, which occurs in a post-societal breakdown version of the future, would go on to launch a major franchise, with new films still being released nearly fifty years later.

Unfortunately, being so unlike anything else being made at the time, the original Mad Max movie left critics rather divided, with many failing to take it seriously (despite the fact that it earned a hundred million dollars on a budget of less than half a million). Fortunately, the sequels (for the most part) received much more consistent praise.

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In particular, the fourth film in the franchise, Mad Max: Fury Road, ended up being one of the most successful blends of science fiction and action ever put to film. The thrilling film was a massive hit both commercially and critically, earning over 380 million dollars in addition to receiving six Academy Awards. Sadly, this caused the original Mad Max to get overshadowed, particularly among modern audiences. Regardless, Mad Max remains an entertaining science fiction film that paved the way for the whole genre of post-apocalyptic action movies.

3 Frankenstein (1931)

Overshadowed By Bride Of Frankenstein (1935)

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9.5/10 Frankenstein PassedSci-FiDramaHorror

Frankenstein is a 1931 horror film directed by James Whale, based on Mary Shelley’s novel. The story follows Dr. Henry Frankenstein, a scientist obsessed with creating life from dead tissue, leading to the birth of a monstrous being. Colin Clive stars as Dr. Frankenstein, while Boris Karloff delivers a standout performance as the creature, whose existence brings unintended consequences. The film is a seminal work in early horror cinema.

Director James Whale Release Date November 21, 1931 Writers John L. Balderston , Mary Shelley , Peggy Webling , Garrett Fort , Francis Edward Faragoh , Richard Schayer Cast Colin Clive , Mae Clarke , Boris Karloff , John Boles , Edward Van Sloan , Frederick Kerr , Dwight Frye , Lionel Belmore Runtime 70 Minutes Main Genre Sci-Fi Expand

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Based on the Mary Shelley novel, which is often considered to be one of the first works of science fiction literature, Frankenstein is a 1931 sci-fi/horror feature that proves that even the classics can be overshadowed by their sequels. As most sci-fi lovers know, the film follows the story of an ambitious scientist who assembles a living creature out of the body parts of various corpses, soon coming to face the grim consequences of his actions.

The groundbreaking film left a major impact on the genre, inspiring numerous sequels and spin-offs over the years. Four years after Frankenstein was released, its first sequel came in the form of Bride of Frankenstein.

Frankenstein
(1931) has a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The 1935 feature directly continues the events of the first film, showing Dr. Frankenstein’s desperate attempts to undo his work, only to end up being coerced into making a female counterpart for the fearsome creature he constructed. Bride of Frankenstein was widely considered to be an improvement from the first film, going on to steal Frankenstein‘s spotlight for many years to come.

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2 Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)

Overshadowed By Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)

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16 8.6/10 Guardians of the Galaxy PG-13AdventureActionFantasySci-Fi

Egotistic loner and “legendary” space pirate Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) falls foul of bounty hunters and his former allies after he steals an orb containing the Power Stone. Chased by Ronan the Accuser, a powerful Kree villain and thrown into an uneasy alliance with a group of similar misfits, he must adapt to his new dynamic or risk everything. He’s joined by gun-toting Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper), treelike-alien Groot (Vin Diesel), Thanos’ daughter Gamora (Zoe Saldana), and the vengeful Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista). Can the galaxy’s most infamous a-holes really save the day?

Director James Gunn Release Date July 30, 2014 Writers James Gunn , Nicole Perlman , Dan Abnett , Andy Lanning Cast Zoe Saldana , Karen Gillan , Vin Diesel , Michael Rooker , Djimon Hounsou , Lee Pace , Benicio Del Toro , Glenn Close , Dave Bautista , ​Chris Pratt2 , Bradley Cooper , John C. Reilly Runtime 122 Minutes

In 2014, James Gunn introduced the unconventional group of heroes known as the Guardians of the Galaxy to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Their debut feature, aptly titled Guardians of the Galaxy, showed how the group formed, highlighting their unlikely origins and their first world-saving adventure together.

The film was a success, offering a refreshing, imaginative addition to the MCU, and also launching a new trilogy of its own. Although many fans adored the first Guardians film, the final installment did manage to steal the spotlight. Nine years after the Guardians were introduced to the MCU, Gunn returned to write and direct one final film for the popular heroes.

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To viewers’ delight, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 proved to have all the elements fans loved about the franchise, with the addition of a surprisingly emotional undertone. The film dove deep into the backstory of one of the franchise’s underappreciated characters, and offered a genuine, heartfelt conclusion. Although Guardian of the Galaxy Vol. 3 may have risen to the top of the trilogy in the eyes of many, the first film remains an enjoyable, action-packed adventure.

1 The Avengers (2012)

Overshadowed By Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

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18 8.9/10 ​The Avengers PG-13Science FictionActionAdventureSuperhero

The sixth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers is an action superhero film that sees the heroes assembled across the franchise face off with a deadly galactic threat. With the arrival of Thor’s brother, Loki, heroes such as Captain America, The Hulk, Iron Man, and Black Widow are brought together to stop him from unleashing an alien race upon earth.

Director Joss Whedon Release Date May 4, 2012 Studio(s) Marvel Distributor(s) Marvel , Disney Writers Joss Whedon , Zak Penn Cast Chris Evans , Robert Downey Jr. , Mark Ruffalo , Chris Hemsworth , Scarlett Johansson , Jeremy Renner , Tom Hiddleston , Clark Gregg , Cobie Smulders , Stellan Skarsgård , Samuel L. Jackson , Gwyneth Paltrow , Paul Bettany , Alexis Denisof , Tina Benko , Jerzy Skolimowski , Kirill Nikiforov , Jeff Wolfe , M’laah Kaur Singh , Rashmi Rustagi , Powers Boothe , Jenny Agutter , Arthur Darbinyan , Donald Li , Warren Kole Runtime 143 minutes Main Genre Adventure Expand

At the time it was released, The Avengers was a major cultural phenomenon, being the first film to bring together Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and other beloved heroes for one massive motion picture event. The film earned an astounding 1.5 billion dollars, skyrocketing to the number three spot on the list of highest grossing movies of all time (at the time).

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The Avengers was unlike anything that had been released before, offering an exciting experience not just for superhero fans, but for all sorts of movie lovers. Of course, Marvel was not about to just let things stop there. Multiple sequels were soon released, including the 2018 feature, Avengers: Infinity War, which further redefined what a superhero could be.

Thanks to its shocking ending which left audiences discussing the film for a long time after the credits rolled,
Infinity War
surpassed
The Avengers
in just about every regard.

Thanks to its shocking ending which left audiences discussing the film for a long time after the credits rolled, Infinity War surpassed The Avengers in just about every regard. The groundbreaking sci-fi film even broke the two billion dollar barrier at the box office, effectively leaving The Avengers in its shadow; and, of course, MCU fans knew another major film was waiting just around the corner.