15 movie sequels that are even better than the originals

Sequels are taking over Hollywood. However, this isn't a new thing.

If a movie does well, or if it is based off an existing property, the likelihood that it will get a sequel is very high. Some sequels are simply pale imitations of their predecessors. 

Then, there are some sequels that take their source material and bring it to another level entirely. They expand the universes they are a part of, and make us all glad we got to spend more time with the characters.

With a new James Bond, "Hunger Games," and "Star Wars" on the way, here are some sequels that outdid their predecessors:

"22 Jump Street" (2014)

Predecessor: "21 Jump Street" (2012)

A sequel to "21 Jump Street" was a bad idea, given that "21 Jump Street" itself was a bad idea to begin with. But like the original, "22 Jump Street" shatters all expectations, creating a meta sequel that is somehow funnier and more self-aware than the original. That is all thanks to Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the creative duo that turned a lot of "bad" ideas (like "The Lego Movie") into something great.

"Army of Darkness" (1992)

Predecessor: "Evil Dead II" (1987)

The "Evil Dead" series is so consistently good that even the remake,"Evil Dead," is solid. It is hard to pick a favorite, but "Army of Darkness" might be the most wildly imaginative and funny.  The stop motion skeleton army has only become more endearing with time. 

Soon, we will be getting a TV spinoff called "Ash vs. Evil Dead." As Ash (Bruce Campbell) would say, "groovy."

"The Bride of Frankenstein" (1931)

Predecessor: "Frankenstein" (1931)

The original "Frankenstein" is filled with iconic images, but it strips out a lot of the brilliance of Mary Shelley's novel. A sequel was certainly not necessary, but "The Bride of Frankenstein" justifies its existence. 

"The Bride of Frankenstein" is a horror movie that won't necessarily scare you, and that is fine. Stick around instead for a hilarious and moving scene where the Monster becomes friends with a blind hermit who teaches him how to smoke and drink.

Nearly 75 years later, and there still hasn't been a monster movie quite like "The Bride of Frankenstein."

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