Horror franchisesare no strangers to producing countless sequels, while oftentimes tinkering with and rewriting the lore of the characters featured in those films. In an effort to honor the original movies from which they came, a filmmaker will come along with what has become known in the industry as a legacy sequel. Usually, it’s a film released years or decades after the original that ties back directly to the beloved first film of the franchise. This can include the reintroduction of an iconic slasher, the return of a brave last survivor, and a modern-day visual improvement on the blood and guts that horror fans revel in.
Hollywood in the 21st century is now filled with reboots, remakes, franchises, and a lot of unoriginal ideas, but horror is one genre that can continue to make things interesting, even if they aren’t always great. Filmmakers who grew up with iconic horror franchises are now putting their own vision and twist on the properties, helping to keep the spirit of the stories alive. With a string of horror legacy sequels coming out over the past decade, both good and bad, we thought it worthy to revisit these psychological and blood-soaked sequels to see which ones stand out and which ones fall flat. These are fifteen legacy horror sequels, ranked and ready to go.
15The Exorcist: Believer (2023)
The late great William Friedkin’s iconic horror film.The Exorcist,is one of those coveted films thought to remain untouched when it came to discussions about remakes, reboots, or legacy sequels. When it was announced that David Gordon Green would be taking on a sequel to the classic film, it was met with reservations by fans of the original andeven Friedkin himself. Unfortunately, the concerns were confirmed upon the release ofThe Exorcist: Believer.
It would be critically panned and currently holds a rotten score from both critics and audiences alike on Rotten Tomatoes. With possession films being one of the more overdone subgenres in horror, something new and fresh needs to be done in order to avoid the overused and unentertaining tropes of the past. This follow-up offered almost nothing new to the franchise, and the sequel unfortunately only succeeded in harming the legacy of the original.
14Halloween Ends (2022)
Speaking of iconic horror movies laid to rest… or, rather, laid to waste by David Gordon Green, next up isHalloween Ends.What was marketed as the ultimate final encounter between Laurie Strode and Michael Myers ended in muddled and messy, anticlimactic fashion. Featuring an older Michael Myers now mentoring a protégé? That can’t be right. Checks notes, yep, a protégé. The film seemed doomed from the start, and doesn’t get a lot better during the bone crunching finale.
Luckily for John Carpenter’s classic original, theHalloweenfranchise was dead long before David Gordon Green completed his trilogy. Criticism of the film would even lead the director to put outa full throated defenseof his choices for the movie. While it should be noted that filmmakers put a lot of hard work into their projects, this should not make them immune to criticism from the very people they make these movies for.
13Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022)
While expectations may not have been sky-high for the legacy sequel of 2022,Texas Chainsaw Massacre, there was some hope. The story was being co-written by Fede Álvarez, who had a string of successes with his original filmDon’t Breatheand a rock-solid remake ofEvil Dead. Unfortunately, Leatherface slashing through a bunch of Gen Zs wasn’t what audiences were looking for. The film also suffered from bringing back a main character from the first film with a different actor. This made for a disjointed return without the recognizability of an actor and character like Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode. Overall, while the film delivered on the blood and gore, it certainly did not hold a candle to the all-time great Tobe Hooper original.
12The Craft: Legacy (2020)
Unless you are a major fan of all horror or the original film itself,The Craft: Legacymay have slipped under the radar for you. This legacy sequel, with legacy in the name, is a 2020 follow-up to the 1996 original that follows a group of witchcraft-curious teenage girls. This sequel takes the approach of the original and applies it to the modern generation. Critics were mostly down on the film, although many did state that fans of the original would enjoy the sequel. When it comes to horror legacy sequels, a property that stays true to its origin while not defeating it is a worthy addition to the horror legacy sequel book.
11Halloween Kills (2021)
WhileHalloween Killsdoes not do much to further the franchise, it doesn’t do anything to adversely impact it as its follow-up did. Fans of theHalloweenfranchise will enjoy the movie, as Michael Myers has some pretty unique kills, including a fiery massacre of a group of firefighters.Backlash against David Gordon Greenwould begin to simmer with the release of this film and would reach a fever pitch by the release ofHalloween Ends. WhileHalloween Killsmay be the forgotten film in the modern trilogy, it certainly has enough to keep an audience engaged in its blood-soaked storytelling.
10Curse of Chucky (2013)
Curse of Chuckywas a 2013 legacy sequel/reboot/remake of the originalChild’s Playseries. While the film did bring a darker (as if it needed it) tone to the franchise, it was overall met with disappointment from the hardcore fans of the killer doll, with most complaints stemming from the more realistic look given to Chucky. Creator Don Mancini would revert to a more classic look in the film’s sequel, but more on that later.Curse of Chuckyreintroduced the famed slasher for the new generation, and while some classic characters do not transition well to the modern day, Chucky is one toy that never goes out of style.
9Halloween H20 (1998)
Halloween H20is the first sequel in the franchise to revisit the main events and characters of the first two films. It also marks the first time that Jamie Lee Curtis returns to the series sinceHalloween II. Introducing Michael into the modern age makes for an interesting and compelling new entry into the classic horror franchise. It was considered one of the best sequels to the original at the time, after a string of critically panned films rewrote the entire myth surrounding Michael Myers. It was the last critical success the franchise would receive until David Gordon Green came along in 2018.
8Psycho II (1983)
Similar toThe Exorcist,Psychois another classic piece of cinema that was thought to be untouchable when it came to sequels or remakes. 28 years later, we were met withPsycho II, with a returning Anthony Perkins of the iconic Norman Bates as well as Vera Miles as Lila Crane. Surprisingly, the film would receive mostly positive reviews, with most critics and audiences appreciating the originality of the film and the fact that it was not a retread of the original. Something that permeated through the othersequels, requels, and television showsthat would follow.
7Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
Ghostbusters: Afterlifesaw the return of a Reitman to the director’s chair, not Ivan, but his son, Jason. With the Paul Feig, female-led reboot of a few years prior receiving a lot of undeserved but also deserved criticism, skepticism was high for this Reitman-led sequel. However, the film benefited from having numerous people from the original two films involved, including Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Ernie Hudson, and Sigourney Weaver. A mixture of veteran talent and young, hungry actors helped to make a worthy sequel to the classic original film, leaving fans wondering what isin store next for the franchise.
6Cult of Chucky (2017)
Cult of Chuckywould be a step up from its predecessor and a precursor for Syfy’sChuckyseries. The film returned Chucky to his iconic original look and injected the franchise with a new style of comedy and a breath of fresh air. While the movie would not achieve critical success, fans of the franchise went crazy for the sequel and were treated to one of the best horror comedies of all time. The film was truly a rebirth for the murderous doll and would propel Chucky back into popular culture with a hit television series, and even his very own haunted house at Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights event.
