Movie sequels are a staple of the film industry, with many franchises boasting multiple installments. However, sometimes there are long gaps between sequels that leave audiences waiting eagerly for years or even decades. Here are some of the longest movie sequel gaps in cinema history:
It has been revealed that the 1988 movie Beetlejuice is set for a sequel, leaving many fans of the Tim Burton classic very excited. Whilst no official release date has been confirmed, it’s believed to be hitting screens in 2024, 36 years after the release of the original.
With this in mind, the team at Betway have revealed which sequels of classic movies had the longest gap between the release of the last movie in the franchise, let’s get started:
- “Blade Runner 2049” (35 years): The sequel to the 1982 sci-fi classic “Blade Runner” was released in 2017, a full 35 years after the original. Directed by Denis Villeneuve and starring Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford, “Blade Runner 2049” was a critical and commercial success that proved the enduring appeal of the futuristic world created by Ridley Scott.
- “Tron: Legacy” (28 years): The follow-up to Disney’s 1982 cult classic “Tron” was released in 2010, almost three decades after the original. “Tron: Legacy” starred Garrett Hedlund and Jeff Bridges, and featured cutting-edge visual effects that were praised by audiences and critics alike.
- “Mad Max: Fury Road” (30 years): The fourth installment in the “Mad Max” franchise arrived in 2015, a full three decades after the last film in the series, “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.” Directed by George Miller and starring Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, “Fury Road” was a critical and commercial hit that reinvigorated the post-apocalyptic action genre.
- “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (32 years): The seventh episode in the “Star Wars” saga was released in 2015, more than three decades after the release of “Return of the Jedi” in 1983. Directed by J.J. Abrams and starring Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Adam Driver, “The Force Awakens” was a box office smash and a critical success that launched a new era of “Star Wars” movies.
- “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” (19 years): The fourth installment in the “Indiana Jones” series was released in 2008, almost two decades after “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.” Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Harrison Ford, “Crystal Skull” was a commercial success but received mixed reviews from critics and fans.
- “Dumb and Dumber To” (20 years): The 2014 slapstick comedy Dumb and Dumber To, starring Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels as the slapstick duo Lloyd and Harry, released 20 years after its predecessor, Dumb and Dumber, which hit screens back in 1994. The sequel which nobody had really asked for, unfortunately, underperformed at the box office and earned just $167 million dollars, much less than the original film made back in 1994. The sequel has just a 5.6/10 rating on IMDb.
- “Coming 2 America” (33 years): Up next is Coming 2 America, the 2021 sequel to the 1988 film Coming To America. The sequel sees African royalty, Akeem, played by Eddie Murphy, return to America after finding out about his long-lost son. Unlike previous mentions, the sequel to Coming To America was not as well received by audiences. Earning a 5.3/10 rating on IMDb, it’s clear many believe the first film is superior, with that having a higher 7.1/10 rating.
- “Ghostbusters Afterlife” (32 Years): “Ghostbusters II” was released in 1989, while “Afterlife” hit theaters in 2021. Directed by Jason Reitman, son of the original “Ghostbusters” director Ivan Reitman, “Afterlife” serves as a direct sequel to the first two films, following a new generation of ghostbusters as they discover their family’s ties to the original team. The long-awaited return of the iconic franchise was met with both nostalgia and excitement from fans who had been eagerly waiting for the next chapter in the ghostbusting saga.
- “Top Gun: Maverick” (36 years) Top Gun: Maverick, the 2022 sequel to the 1986 classic Top Gun. Its sequel took the box office by storm, earning almost $1.5 billion globally and seeing Tom Cruise step back into the role of Maverick years later. The sequel was extremely well-received, with both moviegoers and critics alike having nothing but high praise for the film, as they all flew to the cinemas to catch the action, earning the film a high 8.3/10 rating on IMDb.
These are just a few examples of the longest gaps between movie sequels. While waiting for a beloved franchise to continue can be frustrating for fans, it can also add to the anticipation and excitement when a new installment finally arrives.