The Ultimate '80s Sequel Showdown: Best Follow-Up Film Ea...

The Best Sequel Each Year Of The '80s

Darth Vader I am your father scene in Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back

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There might not be a better time for great sequels than the 1980s. Each year of the decade featured at least one memorable sequel, whether it's a follow-up to a surprise hit or a new installment in an iconic franchise. In fact, several years in the '80s were home to some of the greatest sequels ever made.

The '80s gave us great sequels to Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Ghostbusters, The Karate Kid, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and more, but not all of those managed to be the best in the specific year where they came out. That's how good the decade is.

1980: The Empire Strikes Back

Luke Skywalker vs Darth Vader in Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back

The first year of the '80s didn't have a lot of competition for the best sequel. There are only two that stand out with one of them being Superman II. That film didn't quite live up to the original but was a worthy successor. The Empire Strikes Back did the unthinkable though, topping Star Wars.

The Empire Strikes Back did what all the best sequels should do in that it upped the ante in terms of the scale, expanded on the series' lore, and introduced new characters who became beloved. The film also features one of the greatest and most famous plot twists ever put on the big screen.

The Star Wars franchise only grew from this installment to become one of the most profitable in history. Despite so many new entries over the years, many still confidently consider The Empire Strikes Back to be the best Star Wars movie of all time, which is high praise.

1981: Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior

Max Rockatansky (Mel Gibson) looks confused as sand pours from his hand in Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior

1981 was a stronger year for sequels, with three being the most notable. First, there's Friday the 13th Part 2, which is the first time Jason Voorhees was the on-screen killer. The second is Halloween II, which is one of the better sequels in the franchise and famously made Laurie Strode into Michael's sister.

That said, it's hard to beat Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior. The original Mad Max is a classic but it's clear to most people that the sequel is a vast improvement. The premise is simple as the film again follows the titular Max as he helps a community of settlers defend themselves against marauders.

Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior provided audiences with bigger and better action, while being nominated for several Saturn Awards. The film is held up as one of the best action movies ever and one of the better sequels in history (though the 2015 sequel was even better).

1982: Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan

Khan sits expectantly in the captain's chair in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

As is the case with most years in the '80s, 1982 featured sequels in the Halloween and Friday the 13th franchises, though to mixed results at best. The year was also home to Grease 2 and Rocky III. The latter is good but one sequel from 1982 is the best in its series' history.

That film is Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. The debut Star Trek movie is solid but is slower paced and lacks action, which this installment fixes. Not only is it more action-packed but it's emotionally charged, especially when it comes to the friendship between Captain Kirk and Doctor Spock.

The real treat of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is Ricardo Montalbán. His performance as Khan is fantastic and he remains the best villain in the franchise's history, to the point where the character was brought back for Star Trek Into Darkness three decades later.

1983: Return Of The Jedi

Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker Holding a Green Lightsaber in Star Wars Return of the Jedi

Sequels in 1983 were, for the most part, rather disappointing. Even the ones that are pretty good, like Psycho II, couldn't live up to the original, while follow-ups like Superman III just missed the mark as a whole.

That makes it easier for Return of the Jedi to take the top spot, which it would honestly do in most years. The film wrapped up the iconic trilogy by giving fans the final conclusion between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, capped by an emotional battle and reconciliation. that helped make Anakin/Darth the series' best character.

Return of the Jedi has its faults, as not all viewers are fans of things like the foucs on Ewoks but there's no denying that when this film works, it works masterfully. It might not be the best Star Wars movie but Return of the Jed is comfortably one of the best sequels ever made.

1984: Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom

Indiana Jones draws his whip in Temple of Doom

1984 was more about starting great franchises than continuing them. The year saw the release of A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Karate Kid, Terminator, Beverly Hills Cop, Ghostbusters, and Police Academy. A solid sequel came in the form of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock but there wasn't much else.

It's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom that stands as the best from the year, though most people do agree that it's the third best entry of the original trilogy. Directed by Steven Spielberg, there's so much style in Temple of Doom and it features Harrison Ford even more confident in the lead role.

The film also benefits from young Ke Huy Quan in a fun supporting performance. Upon release, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom received relatively mixed reviews but reception has improved over time.

1985: Rocky IV

Dolph Lundgren On Getting Famous After His Rocky IV Role

Dolph Lundgren as Ivan Drago in Rocky IV (1985)Custom image by Simone Ashmoore.

National Lampoon's European Vacation, Return to Oz, Rambo: First Blood Part 2, and Friday the 13th: A New Beginning showed that 1985 was home to plenty of sequels. Alas, not all of them were great, though fans of the Mad Max franchise have an appreciation for Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome.

However, it's Rocky IV that just edges it out to be the best sequel of the year. The movie sees Rocky's friend Apollo killed in a fight against the vicious Ivan Drago from the Soviet Union, forcing Rocky back into the ring to go up against the toughest threat he's ever faced.

Rocky IV can kind of look like two major fights at the beginning and end, with a bunch of training montages in between. While that might not sound great, it works for what the film is. It's the kind of movie that gets you emotionally invested, grabs you, and doesn't let go until the credits roll.

1986: Aliens

Sigourney Weaver as Ripley as she aims a gun and walks forward cautiously in Aliens

In 1986, we were treated to the underrated sequel The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, over a decade after the original arrived. The Karate Kid Part II and Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives were also solid sequels, while Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is an absolute blast.

Though the competition was stiff, Aliens kind of takes the top spot with ease. The original film from 1979 is grounded in horror but this sequel brought in James Cameron to direct and turned things into a sci-fi action flick. Aliens delivered on that front with some outstanding sequences.

Sigourney Weaver is better than ever as Ripley and the bond the character forms with a little girl might have the most heart of the entire franchise. Aliens has a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is still held up as one of the greatest sequels ever made.

1987: Evil Dead II

Bruce Campbell as Ash with blood running through in Evil Dead II

There were some really good sequels released in 1987. Among them are A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, Beverly Hills Cop II, and Creepshow 2. Picking out the best of the bunch is difficult but Evil Dead II feels like the best option.

Following up on the terrifying Evil Dead, this sequel did something interesting. It mostly retold the same story, yet did so with a comedic twist that changed the franchise going forward. It turned Bruce Campbell's Ash Williams into a pop culture icon while also showcasing Sam Raimi's penchant for making people laugh.

While Evil Dead was well-received is a great horror movie, Evil Dead II takes what worked in that film and improves on it while adding a fun spin. From the sharp screenplay to Campbell's performance to Raimi's direction to the partical effects, so much of the film works.

1988: Hellbound: Hellraiser II

There wasn't a tougher year to pick the best sequel from than 1988, simply because there weren't all that many. Franchises like Die Hard, Child's Play, and The Naked Gun started here but in terms of sequels, there were lackluster efforts like A Nightmare on Elm Street 4, Friday the 13th Part VII, and Halloween IV.

Due to that, it's easier for Hellbound: Hellraiser II to stand out as the best. A year after the original adaptation of Clive Barker's novella (which he directed), the sequel arrived and continues the story surrounding Kirsty Cotton, who gets admitted to a psychiatric hospital due to previous events.

Most people agree that this didn't quite live up to the original, yet it's still a solid sequel. The twisted nature of the story and some of the scares were praised, though various plot elements hold it back from being great.

1989: Back To The Future Part II

Michael-J.-Fox-as-Marty-McFly-Back-to-the-Future-Part-II

Image Made By Yailin Chacon

The opposite of 1988, 1989 was a tough year to pick the best sequel because we had so many options. Ghostbusters II is a beloved follow-up, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is great, Christmas Vacation is a holiday classic, and Lethal Weapon II is one of the best buddy cop films.

Back to the Future Part II is hard to beat though. Once again helmed by Robert Zemeckis, this film brings back most of the original cast as the heroes spend the story going into the future to 2015 to stop Marty McFly's son from harming the family legacy.

The movie has a blast with its depictions of the future and was a box office hit, grossing over $300 million. While a bit more uneven than the original, it's hard to watch this and not have a great time because it's just so much fun. Back to the Future Part II is a loved sequel for a reason.

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