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- Sequels tap into existing fan bases, offering familiar characters and new storylines, often ensuring an opening weekend box office blitz.
- Larger budgets enable sequels to deliver more dazzle, effects, and star-studded casts, expanding the story with thrilling additions.
- To outperform the originals, sequels must offer something fresh — be it a new storyline, expanded universe, or higher-stakes action.
Movie sequels are a Hollywood staple, promising audiences more of the characters, worlds, and thrills they crave — while also providing studios with a reliable source of revenue.
In recent years, the prevalence of sequels has surged, with franchises like Marvel's Avengers and Star Wars dominating the box office.
But what sets these sequels apart from their predecessors, and how often do they bring in more money than the original? Sequels tap into an existing pool of fans hungry for a return to their favorite fictional worlds.
They offer the comfort of familiar characters while promising new twists and turns, guaranteeing an opening weekend audience.
Moreover, sequels often boast bigger budgets than their originals, enabling filmmakers to deliver even more dazzling effects, elaborate sets, and star-studded casts.
Studios capitalize on this, fueling anticipation with bombastic trailers and targeted promotions. To outperform the original, a sequel must offer something new and exciting, whether it's a fresh storyline, expanded universe, or higher-stakes action.
In the past decade, the sequel machine has churned at a dizzying pace as studios seek proven properties to mitigate risk and secure financial wins in an increasingly competitive market.
Let's take a look at the highest-grossing movie sequels of all time.
Box Office BillionsOscars, Schmoscars: Ranking The Highest-Grossing Actors Of All Time
Box office success relies on franchise power, global appeal, and star recognition, traits which today’s highest grossing actors all share.10 Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
Global Box Office, Star Wars: The Last Jedi - $1.33 Billion
The Star Wars saga continued with The Last Jedi, the middle chapter of the sequel trilogy, and a divisive yet financially successful entry in the Skywalker saga.
Picking up where The Force Awakens, which scored $2 billion worldwide, left off, this film finds Rey seeking guidance from a disillusioned Luke Skywalker.
At the same time, the remnants of the Resistance clash against the rising power of the First Order.
Director Rian Johnson's bold storytelling choices sparked fierce debate among fans, pushing the franchise in unexpected directions with its treatment of legacy characters and Force mythology.
Despite the controversy, The Last Jedi proved a box office force, grossing $1.3 billion globally on a production budget of around $317 million.
Estimated Budget | $317,000,000 |
|---|---|
Original Movie | Star Wars: The Force Awakens |
Box Office (Domestic) | $620,181,382 |
Box Office (International) | $714,226,324 |
Box Office (Total) | $1,334,407,706 |
9 Avengers: Age Of Ultron (2015)
Global Box Office, Avengers: Age Of Ultron - $1.39 Billion
The Avengers re-assembled in Age Of Ultron, facing a threat of their own making as Tony Stark's peacekeeping initiative spirals out of control, giving rise to the sentient threat, Ultron.
Seeking to obliterate humanity, Ultron forces Earth's Mightiest Heroes into a globe-spanning battle for survival.
Age Of Ultron expanded the scope and roster of the MCU compared to its predecessor, The Avengers, which earned over $1.5 billion worldwide.
It introduced new heroes – like Vision and Scarlet Witch – and explored darker themes surrounding the dangers of unchecked ambition.
Avengers: Age Of Ultron's production budget ballooned to an exorbitant $365 million, but audiences worldwide responded fervently.
The sequel performed exceptionally well, grossing $459 million in the United States and Canada and $943.8 million in other territories, bringing its worldwide total to $1.403 billion.
This makes it the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2015. According to Deadline Hollywood, the film's impressive box office performance translated to a net profit of over $382.32 million.
Estimated Budget | $250,000,000 |
|---|---|
Original Movie | The Avengers |
Box Office (Domestic) | $459,005,868 |
Box Office (International) | $946,012,180 |
Box Office (Total) | $1,405,018,048 |
Marvel MoolahFrom Superheroes To Millionaires: Ranking The Richest MCU Stars
Marvel Studios' allure to top-tier actors is undeniable. The studio's ability to attract A-listers fuels the MCU's box office dominance and pays big.8 Frozen II (2019)
Global Box Office, Frozen II - $1.44 Billion
Frozen II transported audiences back to the enchanting kingdom of Arendelle, following Elsa and Anna on a quest to uncover the origins of Elsa's magical powers.
Three years after the events of the original Frozen, which grossed $1.2 billion worldwide, this sequel ventures into a mysterious enchanted forest, promising new songs, dazzling visuals, and a deeper exploration of the sisters' bond.
Frozen II grossed $477.4 million in the United States and Canada and $976.3 million in other territories, for a total of $1.453 billion worldwide.
Frozen II made a net profit of $599 million for Disney.
Estimated Budget | $150,000,000 |
|---|---|
Original Movie | Frozen |
Box Office (Domestic) | $477,373,578 |
Box Office (International) | $976,309,898 |
Box Office (Total) | $1,453,683,476 |
7 Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Global Box Office, Top Gun: Maverick - $1.48 Billion
Over three decades after the original debuted at the theaters, Pete "Maverick" Mitchell returned to take audiences' breath away once more.
Top Gun: Maverick delivered heart-pounding aerial action sequences that raised the bar for cinematic spectacle.
This legacy sequel saw Maverick confronting the past while training a new generation of daring pilots for a near-impossible mission.
With its death-defying practical stunts, a healthy dose of nostalgia, and Tom Cruise's ageless presence, the film left the original's $357 million box office haul in the dust.
Soaring past its predecessor, Maverick grossed $718.7 million in the United States and Canada and $777 million in other territories, for a total of $1.496 billion worldwide.
Estimated Budget | $177,000,000 |
|---|---|
Original Movie | Top Gun |
Box Office (Domestic) | $718,732,821 |
Box Office (International) | $776,963,471 |
Box Office (Total) | $1,495,696,292 |
Cruise ControlShow Me The Money: The Highest-Grossing Tom Cruise Films
Hollywood icon Tom Cruise's movies have been entertaining audiences for four decades, and these are the highest-grossing among them.6 Furious 7 (2015)
Global Box Office, Furious 7 - $1.51 Billion
Furious 7 continues the high-octane saga of the Fast & Furious franchise, serving as the sequel to both Fast & Furious 6 and The Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift.
Directed by James Wan, the film faced the challenge of addressing the tragic death of actor Paul Walker, who played a central role in the series.
This sequel's gravity-defying stunts and explosive set pieces pushed the limits of automotive mayhem, making the franchise's global fan base crave more.
Fast And Furious 6 achieved impressive success with a $789 million global box office gross, but Furious 7 exploded past those numbers.
Fueled by a mix of adrenaline and heartfelt emotion, it raced to $1.51 billion at the global box office.
Estimated Budget | $190,000,000 |
|---|---|
Original Movie | Fast & Furious 6 |
Box Office (Domestic) | $353,007,020 |
Box Office (International) | $1,162,334,379 |
Box Office (Total) | $1,515,342,457 |
5 Jurassic World (2015)
Global Box Office, Jurassic World - $1.66 Billion
Jurassic World roared back onto screens over two decades after the original, unleashing a fully operational dinosaur theme park on unsuspecting audiences.
This sequel introduced genetically modified hybrid dinosaurs, amplifying the thrills and terror of the franchise. With breathtaking special effects and heart-stopping action sequences, Jurassic World revived the awe and danger that made the original a classic.
While the original Jurassic Park scored $912 million at the global box office in 1993, Jurassic World dwarfed that figure.
Propelled by thrilling action and cutting-edge visuals, this sequel stomped to a massive $1.66 billion worldwide, proving the world's enduring fascination with these prehistoric creatures.
Estimated Budget | $150,000,000 |
|---|---|
Original Movie | Jurassic Park |
Box Office (Domestic) | $653,406,625 |
Box Office (International) | $1,018,130,819 |
Box Office (Total) | $1,671,537,444 |
Speaking Of SequelsSpider-Man Of Means: Tom Holland's Net Worth
Tom Holland's net worth became a topic of interest after a gargantuan "bonus" was accidentally sent to fellow British actor Tom Hollander.4 Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Global Box Office, Spider-Man: No Way Home - $1.91 Billion
Spider-Man: No Way Home shattered boundaries and box office records as the web-slinger's identity is dramatically exposed to the world.
Seeking Doctor Strange's help, Peter Parker faces dire consequences when a spell to restore his secret goes awry, unleashing villains from alternate realities and threatening the very fabric of the multiverse.
No Way Home capitalized on decades of Spider-Man lore, delivering unprecedented fan service with a story that defied expectations and spanned generations of the franchise.
This ambitious sequel swung past its predecessors, becoming Sony Pictures' highest-grossing film ever.
Driven by nostalgia, jaw-dropping team-ups, and the everlasting appeal of the friendly neighborhood hero, No Way Home grossed $814.1 million in the United States and Canada and $1.108 billion in other territories for a total of $1.922 billion worldwide.
Deadline Hollywood estimated the final net profit of Spider-Man: No Way Home to be $610 million.
Estimated Budget | $200,000,000 |
|---|---|
Original Movie | Spider-Man: Far From Home |
Box Office (Domestic) | $814,115,070 |
Box Office (International) | $1,107,732,041 |
Box Office (Total) | $1,921,847,111 |
3 Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Global Box Office, Avengers: Infinity War - $2.04 Billion
Avengers: Infinity War delivered a cinematic event unlike any other, as Thanos, the cosmic tyrant teased throughout a decade of films, finally arrived to claim the Infinity Stones.
His quest to reshape the universe propelled the Avengers and their allies into a desperate battle, pushing them to their limits.
Infinity War's bold, shocking narrative and the sheer scale of its superhero roster reflected years of meticulous world-building within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Made on a budget of $400 million, Avengers: Infinity War grossed $678.8 million in North America and $1.374 billion in other territories, for a worldwide total of $2.052 billion, making it the highest-grossing film of 2018.
Estimated Budget | $400,000,000 |
|---|---|
Original Movie | Avengers: Age Of Ultron |
Box Office (Domestic) | $678,815,482 |
Box Office (International) | $1,373,599,557 |
Box Office (Total) | $2,052,415,039 |
Starring In Star WarsA Force To Be Reckoned With: Adam Driver's Highest-Grossing Films, Ranked
Adam Driver went from Marine to Hollywood star, and his films have earned over $5 billion at the box office so far.2 Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Global Box Office, Star Wars: The Force Awakens - $2.06 Billion
Decades after the fall of the Empire, Star Wars reignited with The Force Awakens.
Set 30 years after Return Of The Jedi, the film introduces a new generation of heroes and villains embroiled in an epic galactic conflict.
The Force Awakens masterfully blended nostalgia for the original trilogy with a fresh cast and a compelling continuation of the Star Wars mythos.
This winning combination drew in legions of devoted fans while captivating newcomers. On a budget of $447 million, it is the most expensive film ever made.
Return Of The Jedi's box office total of $475 million was considered a commercial success in 1983, but The Force Awakens reached astronomical new heights, shattering records with a $2.06 billion global take.
Estimated Budget | $245,000,000 |
|---|---|
Original Movie | Return of the Jedi |
Box Office (Domestic) | $936,662,225 |
Box Office (International) | $1,134,647,993 |
Box Office (Total) | $2,071,310,218 |
1 Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Global Box Office, Avengers: Endgame - $2.79 Billion
Little did anyone anticipate that over a decade later, after Iron Man debuted, the MCU would evolve into a cinematic phenomenon with dozens of films, culminating in Avengers: Endgame, the final chapter of the Infinity Saga and one of the highest-grossing movies ever.
Alongside its predecessor, Avengers: Infinity War, both films amassed over $2 billion at the box office apiece.
This climactic battle delivered high-octane action, monumental stakes, and the promise of closure for beloved characters.
Endgame smashed box office records, grossing $2.799 billion worldwide and surpassing Infinity War's astounding total in just eleven days.
Estimated Budget | $356,000,000 |
|---|---|
Original Movie | Avengers: Infinity War |
Box Office (Domestic) | $858,373,000 |
Box Office (International) | $1,941,066,100 |
Box Office (Total) | $2,799,439,100 |
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