- 9 months ago
Fantasy movies often set high expectations—but sometimes, the sequels deliver even more magic. 🧙♂️⚔️🐉
In this video, we count down the Top 10 greatest fantasy movie sequels of all time, from epic adventures that expanded the lore to unforgettable follow-ups that became fan favorites. These sequels prove that sometimes the second (or third) chapter can be just as legendary as the first.
📺 From iconic franchises to hidden gems, these fantasy films are must-watches for every fan of the genre.
👉 Do you agree with our picks? Comment below with your favorite fantasy sequel!
In this video, we count down the Top 10 greatest fantasy movie sequels of all time, from epic adventures that expanded the lore to unforgettable follow-ups that became fan favorites. These sequels prove that sometimes the second (or third) chapter can be just as legendary as the first.
📺 From iconic franchises to hidden gems, these fantasy films are must-watches for every fan of the genre.
👉 Do you agree with our picks? Comment below with your favorite fantasy sequel!
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Short filmTranscript
00:00I didn't think it would end this way.
00:03End?
00:05No, the journey doesn't end here.
00:08Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the best fantasy sequels ever made.
00:15Take her away, Earn.
00:17Yeah, take it away, Earny.
00:19It's going to be a bumpy ride.
00:24Number 10. Mary Poppins Returns.
00:26I thought we'd never see you again.
00:28It is wonderful to see you.
00:31Yes, it is, isn't it?
00:33For decades, the musical fantasy film Mary Poppins delighted children across the globe,
00:38as the titular character floated into the dreary lives of a London family, giving them magic and color.
00:44Plans for a sequel had been in place since the original's release in 1964.
00:49However, disagreements with the book's original author P.L. Travers,
00:52Julie Andrews' acting hiatus, and a number of other issues kept the film mired in developmental hell.
00:59Why do you always complicate things that are really quite simple?
01:04Finally, in 2018, and with the blessing of the Travers estate, a sequel was produced, with Emily Blunt cast as Poppins.
01:12Returns recaptured what had managed to make the original so great with stunning visuals combining live action and animation,
01:19creative musical numbers, and a strong emotional through-line.
01:22Can you imagine?
01:31Number 9. Ghostbusters 2.
01:33Mr. Mayor, we're here tonight because a psychomagnetheric slime flow of immense proportions is building up beneath the city.
01:40Psycho what?
01:41The original Ghostbusters managed to combine urban fantasy and comedy by having a talented cast of 80 stars face off against a supernatural threat in New York City.
01:51The sequel doubled down on both of those elements, with almost the entire primary cast returning and a new fantasy-themed villain much more prominently featured.
02:00On a mountain of scars, in the castle of pain, I sat on a throne of blood.
02:08The baddie in question was Viggo the Carpathian, a despotic sorcerer from 16th century Europe who was killed in a way reminiscent of the real Rasputin.
02:16As Viggo noted, however, death is but a door, and his soul would take up residence in a painting.
02:23Centuries later, the Ghostbusters went head-to-head with Viggo, reuniting after the events of the first film, once again saving New York from paranormal disaster.
02:32You think there's a connection between this Viggo character and the...
02:37slime?
02:41Number 8. The Chronicles of Narnia, Prince Caspian
02:44Things never happen the same way twice, dear one.
02:48Many of the greatest fantasy films of all time are based on iconic literary sagas from the 20th century, and The Chronicles of Narnia is no exception.
02:57The first film, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, was a favorite of both the novel's fans and newcomers,
03:02and the screenplay for a sequel was being written even before that film's release.
03:06Have you forgotten the laws upon which Narnia was built?
03:09Do not cite the deep magic to me, witch.
03:12I was there when it was written.
03:15Much of the original cast returned, including the voice of Liam Neeson as the Lion Aslan.
03:20It also introduced a slew of new characters, including, of course, Prince Caspian himself, played by Ben Barnes.
03:27The sequel deepened the themes from the first film, with the Pevensies experiencing grief and confusion,
03:33and growing larger in scope and scale than its predecessor.
03:36What's the matter, boy?
03:39Too cowardly to take life.
03:45It's not mine to take.
03:47Number 7.
03:48Gremlins 2 The New Batch
03:50Almost as much of a parody of the original Gremlins film as it was a sequel to it,
04:01returning director Joe Dante had carte blanche this time around to make a film as anarchic as he saw fit.
04:06Describing it as, quote,
04:07One of the more unconventional studio pictures ever, Dante sought to use the film to lampoon the very idea of sequels with absurdism and meta jokes.
04:16Creatures. Is that accurate?
04:22Fourth wall breaks featured prominently in the movie,
04:25as did cameos of everyone from Hulk Hogan to film critic Leonard Maltin and even the Looney Tunes.
04:31None of this meant that the urban fantasy from the original had disappeared,
04:34as the lovable-turned-mischievous creatures were back.
04:38Now, was that civilized?
04:39No, clearly not.
04:41Fun, but in no sense civilized.
04:43Number 6.
04:44Pirates of the Caribbean At World's End
04:47Sometimes things come back, mate.
04:50We live in proof, you and me.
04:52After Pirates of the Caribbean Curse of the Black Pearl was an overwhelming critical and commercial success,
04:57two sequels were commissioned and shot back-to-back.
05:00The first sequel, Dead Man's Chest, amped up the fantasy elements from the original,
05:04with stunning CGI characters like the tragic villain Davy Jones.
05:08Life is cruel.
05:09Why should the afterlife be any different?
05:13At World's End served as an epic conclusion to that original trilogy,
05:17with thrilling set pieces including the beginning, when characters travel to the afterlife,
05:22and the conclusion featuring a grandiose battle between ships inside a raging maelstrom.
05:27Like any good fantasy, characters realize their epic destiny,
05:31particularly Will Turner, who began the first movie as a humble blacksmith's apprentice,
05:35and ended up as captain of the mythical Flying Dutchman.
05:38On the wheel then, Mr. Turner.
05:42Aye, Captain Turner.
05:43Number 5.
05:44How to Train Your Dragon 2
05:46What do you think, bud?
05:48You want to give this another shot?
05:51Toothless!
05:52It'll be fine!
05:53Set five years after the events of the first film, the teenage Vikings that befriended dragons
05:59had grown into young adults and began to shape a new world where they coexisted with creatures
06:03they once hated.
06:05Appropriately, the film dealt with more mature and often darker themes, with returning writer-director
06:10Dean de Blois citing The Empire Strikes Back as a major inspiration for the second entry
06:14in the franchise.
06:15You can't just say something like that and run off.
06:19You're my mother?
06:20I mean, what the...
06:21The film emphasized expanding the world beyond what had been seen in the original, with visuals
06:26of icy landscape alongside fiery dragons becoming something to behold.
06:31It, along with the third and final entry How to Train Your Dragon The Hidden World, made
06:35this an animated fantasy trilogy for the ages.
06:38You've looked after us for long enough.
06:41Time to look after yourselves.
06:42Number 4, Hellboy 2 The Golden Army
06:46It is said that at the dawn of time, man, beast, and all magical beings lived together
06:54under Eaglin, the Father Tree.
06:58While the first Hellboy film directly adapted its plotline from Mike Mignola's comics, the
07:03sequel was a new and original story featuring the character.
07:06This time around, director Guillermo del Toro put an even greater emphasis on the fantasy
07:10elements, drawing heavily on fairy tales.
07:13Those fairy tale elements were combined with urban fantasy, giving us terrifying tooth fairies
07:18and a sprawling troll market beneath the Brooklyn Bridge.
07:21Gentlemen, welcome to the troll market.
07:25The fantasy creatures were horrific yet beautiful in a way that only del Toro could provide.
07:30Its plot involves elven royalty vying for control of the titular Golden Army, an indestructible
07:35force, leading to a powerful and emotional final confrontation.
07:40Sorry, pal.
07:42I win.
07:44You live.
07:45Number 3, Shrek 2
07:47Stop, Uggger!
07:48I have misjudged you.
07:50Join the club.
07:50We've got jackets.
07:51It's rare for a beloved children's film to be surpassed by its successor, but that is
07:56exactly what Shrek 2 did, scoring higher with critics than its already well-received first
08:01entry.
08:01Continuing with the fairy tale parodies established in the first film, the now-married couple
08:06of Shrek and Fiona travel to her kingdom, of course called Far, Far Away.
08:10So, you still think this was a good idea?
08:16Of course.
08:17Along with the returning personalities from the first, two introduced a number of fairy tale
08:22characters into the franchise, including the Fairy Godmother, Prince Charming, and of course,
08:27Puss in Boots.
08:27The swashbuckling cat, voiced by Zorro himself and Tonio Banderas, quickly became a fan favorite.
08:34Finally, the film featured arguably the franchise's best scene, with the hero storming the castle
08:40set to I Need a Hero.
08:42I need a hero!
08:44All right, big fella!
08:46Let's crash this party!
08:48Number 2, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
08:51The ones that love us never really leave us.
08:56And you can always find...
09:00In here.
09:03Already a global phenomenon because of the original novels and popular first two films,
09:08the third Harry Potter film saw a major turn in the series.
09:11With Alfonso Cuaron taking over as director, the movie adopted a more serious tone, much
09:16like the book on which it was based.
09:18If you want to kill Harry, you'll have to kill us too.
09:20No, only one will die tonight.
09:23Then it'll be you!
09:24Working on the film's visual effects, Industrial Light and Magic received an Academy Award nomination,
09:30as did John Williams for his iconic score, which has become a fantasy staple.
09:34The trio of young stars, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, did some of their
09:39best work, as did the adults.
09:41Along with the ever-amazing Alan Rickman, were new arrivals Gary Oldman and Michael Gambon
09:46replacing the late Richard Harris as Dumbledore.
09:50Well...
09:50He's free.
09:51We did it.
09:52Did what?
09:53Good night.
09:55Mm-hmm.
09:57Before we continue, be sure to subscribe to our channel and ring the bell to get notified
10:01about our latest videos.
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10:13Number 1.
10:14The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King
10:16Never thought I'd die fighting side by side with an elf.
10:21What about side by side with a friend?
10:26I.
10:29I could do that.
10:30It easily could have been the two towers topping this list, as that film increased the scope
10:35of the epic series beyond the first film by splitting its characters into groups, each
10:39with a truly legendary quest.
10:42However, the ending of the trilogy ultimately takes the prize, wrapping up perfectly everything
10:47that the first two installments had laid out.
10:49We set out to save the Shire, Sam.
10:53And it has been saved.
10:59But not for me.
11:01In Return of the King, battles are fought, love is culminated, morals are tested, and
11:06evil is vanquished, even if some scars remain.
11:09The film became the first fantasy film to ever win Best Picture at the Oscars, completing
11:15a historic sweep and taking home all 11 awards it was nominated for.
11:20Few, if any, films have so satisfyingly wrapped up a trilogy.
11:23Did your favorite fantasy sequel make the list?
11:36Let us know which was your favorite in the comments below.
11:38The horn of Helmhammerhand shall sound in the deep one last time.
11:46Did you enjoy this video?
11:47Check out these other clips from WatchMojo.
11:49And be sure to subscribe and ring the bell to be notified about our latest videos.
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