14 Comic Book Movie Sequels That Kicked the Original's Ass

Sometimes the world would be better off if superhero movie franchises quit while they were ahead. (Ahem, "The Crow" remake.) But sometimes, the original is nothing more than a building block for something better to emerge -- as these sequels prove. 

'Thor: Ragnarok' (2017)

Easily the most balls-out comedy Marvel has ever produced, this threequel is one of the funniest films of 2017-- and definitely the funniest comic book movie ever made. (And it is a rare great threequel, too.) It's all set-up and payoff here, joke-wise, with little emotional resonance to be had. Hell, the movie can't afford to give its hero and his (adopted) brother a beat to mourn the death of their only living parent left. The sequel entertains and delivers some very '80s rock album cover spectacle, but at the cost of what matters most -- stuff to feel and talk about after the credits roll. It would rank so much higher if it did. But, despite those shortcomings, this is easily the best, and most rewatchable, of the Thor movies. 

'Logan' (2017)

With "Logan," director and co-writer James Mangold set out to deliver a definitive and R-rated comic book movie for adults. One that explores the cost of being an aging superhero who is full of bone-deep regret -- but still has one last, bloody shot at redemption. The end result is a violent, and at times, tear-jerking affair, one that makes it hard to let go of Hugh Jackman's iconic take on the character. 

'Captain America: Civil War' (2016)

Yes, that airport battle royale is an all-timer and RDJ and Chris Evans are given truly meaty scenes that help the film reach the emotional highs of "Winter Soldier." But "Civil War" fails to clear that bar set by its predecessor; it's not a bad film, rather it's merely a good one. Not as great as the one you hoped for. (But the new Spider-Man, though? He's the ta-tas.)

'Superman II' (1981)

1978’s "Superman" is widely regarded as one of the greatest superhero films of all time, but it definitely has its rough patches (particularly every time Otis utters the words “Mistah LOO-thor). The sequel outdid the original by giving us a more compelling set of villains (including Terence Stamp’s regal General Zod) and actually giving the Man of Steel something to punch. 

'Batman Returns' (1992)

Director Tim Burton successfully reinvigorated the Caped Crusader with 1989’s “Batman.” For the sequel, Burton elected to get a little weirder, focusing less on superheroics and more on weaving a Gothic fairytale anchored by a tale of doomed romance between Batman and Catwoman. Basically, it was everything we wanted from a Burton-directed Batman movie. 

'Blade II' (2002)

As slick and stylish as the original film was, we have to give the edge to the sequel. The introduction of director Guillermo Del Toro -- and a new type of suckhead that forced the daywalker to join forces with his vampire enemies -- helped this franchise reach further heights. Too bad it was all downhill from here. 

'X2: X-Men United' (2003)

The original “X-Men” was a solid start to what has become a surprisingly robust and long-lived franchise. “X2” took everything that worked about the original and made it better; more mutants, more action, more emotion, and more of Wolverine’s berserker rage. The opening scene, which features a brainwashed Nightcrawler BAMF-ing the White House, is still a high point for the franchise.

'Spider-Man 2' (2004)

Much like how “X2” built on the foundation of “X-Men,” “Spider-Man 2” managed to be a superior film to the original “Spider-Man” in every way. Aside from the more satisfying action scenes and that serious-campy touch that only Sam Raimi can muster, “Spider-Man 2” thrived on the dynamic between Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker and Alfred Molina’s Doctor Octopus. Too many Marvel movies forget that the villain is every bit as important as the hero.

'The Dark Knight' (2008)

As much as we loved “Batman Begins,” we never would have imagined how much more director Christopher Nolan could bring to the table for his second Bat-film. Aside from introducing a version of the Joker that blew all previous incarnations out of the water, “The Dark Knight” weaved a sweeping, dramatic tale of three heroes struggling to preserve order in a sea of chaos. 

'Hellboy II: The Golden Army' (2008)

The original “Hellboy” was a solid adaptation of the comic book franchise. The sequel stood out, however, because it veered off the beaten path and allowed director Guillermo del Toro to leave his own stamp on the franchise. Less horror-driven and more fantastical in tone, “Hellboy II” is easily one of the most unique comic book movies ever filmed. Now if we can just get that sequel...

'Iron Man 3' (2013)

The original “Iron Man" deserves plenty of credit for serving as the foundation for the MCU. "Iron Man 2" is a misfire, but “Iron Man 3” helped put the franchise back on track with a deeper look into Tony Stark’s troubled psychology and a literal army of suits for our hero to utilize. And while the film’s handling of The Mandarin was controversial, we loved the comedic wrinkle Sir Ben Kingsley brought to the role. 

'X-Men: Days of Future Past' (2014)

2011's “First Class” helped reinvigorate what had become a very troubled franchise. This follow-up only furthered the process. It put Bryan Singer back in the director’s chair and adapted an iconic comic book storyline in a way that allowed both the classic and the reboot casts to enjoy their moment in the spotlight. 

'The Wolverine' (2013)

Granted, it would have been difficult for Fox to churn out a worse movie than the super-humanly bad “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” but we were still pleasantly surprised at how much better the mutant hero fared in his second solo outing. (Up until that third act, at least.) “The Wolverine” tapped into the character’s rich Japanese history and gave us all the ninja stabbery we could ask for. 

'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' (2014)

“The First Avenger” made the most of its WWII setting as it delivered a fun, Indiana Jones-style take on the Marvel Universe. But Cap's journey only became more compelling when he was dragged into the present day and forced to confront a very different kind of war. As much a conspiracy thriller as a superhero action film, “The Winter Soldier” remains one of Marvel Studios’ strongest efforts to date.