Sequels That Became More Famous Than the Original Movies
The phenomenon of sequels overshadowing their predecessors is a fascinating aspect of popular culture. In some cases, sequels gain prominence due to their distinct identity or because they are infamously abysmal. This article explores notable instances where sequels became more famous than the original movies, transcending the franchise and leaving a lasting impact on popular culture.
Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo
Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo was the sequel to the 1984 breakdancing musical Breakin'. However, it became so much more famous than the original that the movie's subtitle entered popular culture as a label for an archetypal sequel. There are countless examples of blogs, news clips, and video games that have adopted the 'Electric Boogaloo' moniker to indicate a sequel. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia assumed the title for season 11, episode 1 'Chardee MacDennis 2: Electric Boogaloo.' As a result, the Breakin' sequel cemented a much larger place in popular culture than the original, with its subtitle, specifically, transcending either movie's notoriety.
Breakin' Electric Boogalo main cast facing the camera
The Road Warrior (also known as Mad Max 2) was a sequel to Mad Max, the classic post-apocalyptic movie starring Mel Gibson. Because the original Mad Max only had a limited release, it was not initially well known outside of Australia. Consequently, The Road Warrior was not advertised in the United States as a sequel, with trailers and posters bearing no mention of the original movie. The Road Warrior fostered a reputation separate from and far greater than the original and established the entire Mad Max timeline.
Mad Max looking battered and bruised in The Road Warrior
The Dark Knight and More
Christopher Nolan's mature interpretation of the Batman franchise started very promisingly with Batman Begins. However, the sequel was an absolute masterpiece that infused a crime drama narrative into its superhero plot. Heath Ledger's performance of the Joker was particularly praised, proffering the definitive cinematic rendition of the infamous villain. In many respects, The Dark Knight established the formula for all subsequent superhero movies. It demonstrated that the genre can navigate adult tones and themes and laid the groundwork for future movies to tackle the genre with more maturity and grit. Consequently, The Dark Knight truly eclipsed the original Batman Begins and holds a much firmer place and legacy in cinematic history.
Heath Ledger's Joker and Christian Bale's Batman in an interrogation room in The Dark Knight
Sequels That Redefined Franchises
The Oscars' 1992 Best Picture winner, The Silence of the Lambs, is one of the most iconic movies in film history, particularly renowned for Anthony Hopkins' chilling performance as the cannibal psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter. It adapted the Thomas Harris novel of the same name, but The Silence of the Lambs was not the first in Harris's Hannibal Lecter series. The first novel, Red Dragon, was adapted previously with 1986's Manhunter – which starred Brian Cox as Dr. Lecter. The Silence of the Lambs was the second novel in the series, so the movie was technically a sequel. Of course, Hopkins' Hannibal Lecter proved so triumphant that Red Dragon was eventually remade with the actor in the starring role.
Anthony Hopkins in the fava beans scene in The Silence of the Lambs
