The concept of a blockbuster picture was first introduced in the mid-1970s and has been a staple of cinematic history ever since.The industry’s dynamic was changing, and studios recognized the monetary potential of high-concept productions with heavy budgets and large-scale narratives. Steven Spielberg’s fabled 1975 thrillerJawsis generally considered the first example of this style of filmmaking. The movie had a massive marketing effort and an easily understandable spectacle, so consequently, it garnered a community of spectators. All of these factors came together to create huge economic success.
Understandably, the eventual follow-ups to these productions typically witness even more profit. The fan base is already established, the story is full of potential, and viewers are desperate for more similar content. There are severalhighly anticipated movie sequels coming out in 2025, which will assuredly drive audiences into theaters. Perhaps the most exciting upcoming project isJames Cameron’sAvatar: Fire and Ash, which will mark the third installment in one of the most successful franchises ever.Critical reception aside, there have been many sequels that dominated the box office.
Frozen II
Cast
The sequel to Disney’s smash hit musical animated film, Frozen II sees the return of Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf as they embark on a new journey to save the kingdom of Arendelle. When Elsa and Anna learn about a betrayal that occurred between their nation and a local tribe in the Enchanted Forest, they discover they must seek the truth about their parents and the origin of Elsa’s powers to stop the rampaging spirits and the takeover of their home.
Walt Disney Studios have created some of the most beloved animation films in existence, but the 2013 musicalFrozenset an even higher bar for their modern projects. It had all the right ingredients for a blockbuster picture. The story was unique, the characters were likable, and there was an amazing soundtrack to compliment the beautiful animation.Given that its predecessor is one of the highest-grossing animated movies of all time, it’s unsurprising thatFrozenIIwas even more successful.
There were several possible avenues for the continuation of the plot, but the writers chose a thoughtful path that offered something new without straying too far from the source material.They also managed to introduce strong musical numbers, which is a tough feat considering the original soundtrack.Even though it had slightly different critical reviews, it was a solid addition to the franchise, which will continue withFrozen 3in 2027.
9Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Worldwide Gross: $1,461,725,209
Given the nature of the plot, a sequel to the beloved 1986 actionTop Gundidn’t seem necessary, and certainly wasn’t expected. Hollywood has a long history of reviving cinematic stories long after their original installments. In most cases, this doesn’t bode well for the overall quality of the franchise.However,Top Gun: Maverickmanaged to pull off the feat of a late sequel introduction with style.
During the filming ofTop Gun: Maverick,Director Joseph Kosinski stated that they shot over 800 hours of footage, which is more than all theLord of the Ringsfilms combined.
There are several reasons why theTop Gunfollow-up was so successful. The creators relied on the adoration of nostalgia, but it was applied to a different plotline in a way that didn’t feel too forced.They passed the torch to a new set of likable characters while maintaining the presence of old ones.Better yet, it all came together alongside some of recent cinema’s most thoughtful and gripping action scenes. Hopefully,the same level of care will be applied inTop Gun 3,which was confirmed in January 2024.
Furious 7
Furious 7, released in 2015, follows Dominic Toretto and his team as they face a new threat from Deckard Shaw, who seeks vengeance for his comatose brother. This installment blends action and emotion, with the crew tackling challenges across thrilling landscapes while maintaining their bond and pursuit of justice.
It’s tough to know where to begin when it comes to theFast and Furiousfranchise.What first started as high-octane street racing has seemingly evolved into characters battling for the fate of the entire world.Over ten years after the original installment, the saga will supposedly end withFast 11in 2026.Although the twelve films in the collection have boasted significant box office numbers,Furious 7witnessed the strongest overall worldwide gross.
Furious 7was certainly a compelling addition to the story from a quality perspective.However, the global success was by and large a product of the film’s emotional tribute to the late Paul Walker.Walker tragically died in a car accident in November 2013, which was midway through the sequel’s shooting. Consequently, the remainder of his scenes were carried out using CGI and doubles. The writers managed to give him a thoughtful exit from the franchise while acknowledging the actor’s death, creating a sendoff that was equally beautiful and sad.
Jurassic World
Jurassic World is a 2015 science fiction adventure film directed by Colin Trevorrow. Set 22 years after Jurassic Park, it introduces audiences to a fully operational dinosaur theme park on Isla Nublar. The narrative explores the consequences of genetic engineering as a hybrid dinosaur creation turns dangerous.
In consideration of cinematic history,Jurassic Parkwas monumental. From the groundbreaking special effects to the gripping concept, many argue that there should’ve never been a sequel of any kind. With that being said, it’s no secret that the revival of one of the greatest movies ever made was going to be successful.Consequently, in 2015, Universal took up the gauntlet and re-introduced the story withJurassic World.
Complete Jurassic Park & World Timeline Explained
Starting 65-million years ago, the timeline of Jurassic Park and Jurassic World spans 29 years and includes 6 movies and Netflix’s Camp Cretaceous.
It’s a daunting challenge to bring back a beloved franchise over 20 years after the original’s release, but the studio delivered.Although the concept was mostly the same,Jurassic Worldadded a modern twist that was carried out thoughtfully.While audience opinions were somewhat divided, it was a solid franchise reboot.Jurassic World Rebirthwill be coming to screens in 2025, marking the fourth new-era film after the original trilogy.
Inside Out 2
Inside Out 2 is the sequel to the 2015 original film, which starred a young girl named Riley with a head full of emotions. - literally. With Amy Pohler as Joy, Bill Hader as fear, Mindy Kaling as Disgust, Phyllis Smith as Sadness, and Lewis Black as Anger, the all-star cast brought to life the emotions that adolescents face as they grow, change, and adapt to new situations. This sequel, currently in development, will bring Amy Pohler back as Joy, with Riley, now a teenager.
Disney Pixar added another gem to its resume with the 2015 comedyInside Out, which was quickly a massive hit, raking in $850,309,035 worldwide. The unique concept alone was enough to drive audiences into theaters.At face value, the premise is simple, but the presented themes offer an introspective metaphor of human nature.The film also featured crisp animation and a heartwarming story, which contributed to its positive reception.
Inside Out 2is now the highest-grossing animated movie of all time.
The recent sequel proved the same concept can be replicated with even more success.Inside Out 2introduced new emotionsand took the story in a refreshing direction. All of a sudden, Riley (Kensington Tallman) has to deal with different challenges, and they are creatively reflected in the latest characters.Understandably, the movie crushed at the box office, accumulating roughly double the money of the original.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
For the first time in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, our friendly neighborhood hero is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the trials and tribulations of being a superhero. In Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) asks for help from Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) when his identity becomes a problem for the ones he loves. Unfortunately, when the spell goes wrong, Spider-Man will now have to face off with villains such as Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina) and Electro (Jamie Foxx) as Peter finally comes to terms that he can’t run from being Spider-Man. Supported by his close friends and help from an unexpected place (or multiverse), Spider-Man will go toe-to-toe with some of the most legendary foes in his storied history.
The legendary story of Spider-Man has been approached from several different angles, each offering a distinctive take on the beloved character. Generally, most are divided on who their favorite live-action Spider-Man is.Spider-Man: No Way Homewas aware of this concept, and used it to its advantage.The smash-hit sequel witnessed the return of fabled predecessors Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, with Tom Holland at the forefront.
The producers managed to pull off a massive surprise comeback of the beloved leading actors while incorporating the previous franchise villains.The secret was well-kept, as the cast members denied all claims about Maguire and Garfield’s return.Consequently, their ultimate reveal was much more meaningful and gave audiences an unexpected blast from the past. The web-swinging hero’s story will continue withSpider-Man 4, which is set to release in 2026.
Avengers: Infinity War
Avengers: Infinity War brings together the Avengers and their allies to face a new threat from the cosmos, Thanos, who seeks to collect the Infinity Stones. The film, part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, unites numerous superhero characters in a battle to prevent Thanos' ambition of altering reality itself.
When it comes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe,The Avengersmoviesare the heaviest hitters. They’re a clear-cut example of the modern blockbuster. From a big-picture perspective, their success is almost guaranteed. The films essentially take the most popular franchise members and group them into a unified story. Consequently, there is something for everyone to enjoy from the get-go.However, theAvengersinstallments went the extra mile in all respects.
The characters are brought together in a plot that has an immense amount of emotional depth for a superhero franchise.Avengers: Infinity Warset the bar even higher than the first two films, expanding the conflict across the universe and introducing a masterful villain.The special effects, narrative, and action seem to improve with each subsequent release, which is a rare occurrence. Unsurprisingly, the highest-grossing charts are scattered withAvengerscontent.
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
Star Wars: The Force Awakens takes place 30 years after the fall of the Galactic Empire. It follows Han Solo and new allies, including Finn and Rey, as they confront the rising threat of Kylo Ren and his army of Stormtroopers while seeking the elusive Luke Skywalker.
Deciding to bring back one of cinema’s most popular franchises was an incredibly controversial move.On one hand, people thought that the story had already been told and there was no reason to explore it further. On the other hand, theStar Warsuniverse has a virtually unlimited number of potential plotlines, which makes it the perfect target for sequel production.
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Regardless of any opinions towardsStar Wars Ep. VII: The Force Awakens, the monetary results speak for themselves. The film generated $247,966,675 on its opening weekend, reaching the billion mark after only 12 days.Despite some audiences being against the concept as a whole, the franchise revival drew in millions of viewers, stoked to get a taste of nostalgia.Episode VII ushered in a new era for the series, and severalnewStar Warsmoviesare set to be released shortly.
2Avatar: The Way Of Water (2022)
Worldwide Gross: $2,317,514,386
When James Cameron first releasedAvatarin 2009, it was as if the industry was advanced 10 years into the future.The breathtaking visual effects were the first of their kind and set a new standard for later projects. Cameron introduced several new technological innovations, including stereoscopic 3D capturing using fusion camera systems, which made the movie a one-of-a-kind experience.
Given that the original is the most successful film ever made,Avatar: The Way of Waterwas undoubtedly going to make big waves at the box office.The highly anticipated sequel didn’t disappoint and was an absolute slam dunk in theaters.Although the follow-up didn’t make quite as much of a leap in visuals, the improvement was undeniable. The second installment took the story in an imaginative direction that demonstrated the potential of Pandora’s world-building. The franchise isn’t nearly over, as there are manyupcomingAvatarmoviesscheduled for the next seven years.
Avengers: Endgame
Avengers: Endgame, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, concludes the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Infinity Saga. It follows the remaining Avengers as they attempt to reverse the destruction caused by Thanos, navigating complex dynamics and forging alliances to restore balance to the universe.
It makes perfect sense thatAvengers: Endgameis the most successful movie sequel ever created. Truth be told, the odds were stacked against the franchise finale from the start. Given the sheer number of events that happened throughout theInfinitysaga, it seems impossible to finish off the story in a manner that checks all the boxes.Despite the high stakes and naysayers, Marvel delivered a classic that blew expectations out of the water.
Avengers: Endgamedemonstrated the right way to put a series to rest. After the previous film’s tragic ending, audiences were dying to see how the curtain would close.The introduction of time travel allowed the heroes to get another shot at Thanos (Josh Brolin), but more importantly, it provided the opportunity to pay homage to the old films.Thus, the characters were effectively moving the plot forward while revisiting important moments from the franchise. Surprisingly enough,the saga will carry on withAvengers: Doomsday, rumored to hit screens in 2026.
