While there have been plenty of acclaimed classic sci-fi movies over the years, some truly great sequels often get left behind in these discussions. Sci-fi cinema has consistently been at the cutting edge of filmmaking as astounding visuals, unique premises, and deeply philosophical stories have left their mark on Hollywood history. However, when watching a sequel to a beloved movie, it can be easy to constantly compare the two releases, and in the process some fantastic films are unfairly dismissed or severely underrated.

While there are examples of all-time great sci-fi sequels such as Terminator 2: Judgment Day, within that same franchise there are examples of films that were given a tough time by critics and viewers but that are actually a lot of fun upon rewatch. Sometimes the pᴀssage of time reveals things we didn’t notice the first time around, and when returning to underrated movies, it’s clear they were deserving of much more love. Although not every movie here could be classified as a forgotten masterpiece, all these sci-fi releases would benefit from a second look.

10

Escape From L.A. (1996)

Directed by John Carpenter

Few filmmakers made more underrated movies than John Carpenter, a trailblazing director for sci-fi and horror with countless cult classics under his belt. With several acclaimed collaborations with Kurt Russell, although Escape from New York gets a lot of praise, its sequel is often overlooked in discussions around the director’s work. This was a real shame, as the continued adventures of Snake Plissken only became wilder after the pair reunited for a sequel 15 years later.

Escape from L.A. pushed the frantic sense of humor of its predecessor even further as it told a post-apocalyptic story where a mᴀssive earthquake has cut Los Angeles off from mainland America, and this newly formed island becomes a prison colony for violent offenders. It’s out of this chaos that Snake arrives in L.A., determined to track down a powerful superweapon on orders from the president. As a cheesy, trashy, and over-the-top movie, Escape from L.A. was a satirical film of such manic energy it was impossible not to be won over by its charm.

9

Alien Resurrection (1997)

Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet

The Alien franchise has had a divisive history, with some releases like Ridley Scott’s original movie or James Cameron’s sequel Aliens being commonly regarded among the best sci-fi horrors of all time, although other releases in the franchise have been more controversial. While there are often calls to reappraise David Fincher’s much-maligned Alien 3, it’s not as often that people praise the woefully underrated sequel Alien Resurrection.

This unique entry took some big risks as it moved the action to 200 years in the future and brought back Sigourney Weaver as a cloned version of Ellen Ripley. While there’s an argument that this undid the power of Ripley’s sacrifice in Alien 3, it also opened the door to some fascinating themes relating to the mythos of the franchise. With Ripley’s DNA being merged with that of a Xenomorph alien, Alien Resurrection dealt with thought-provoking themes around idenтιтy, genetics, and playing God.

8

Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines (2003)

Directed by Jonathan Mostow

When positioned next to James Cameron masterpieces like The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, it’s understandable that many felt like Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines was a letdown. While this third release in the franchise was far from perfect, it was also commendable that it took a major risk as it leaned into the inevitability of judgment day and actually allowed it to happen. This shocking twist alone was enough to make Terminator 3 stand out and highlight it as a far darker movie than many might remember it as.

With Arnold Schwarzenegger reprising his role as the T-800, there were plenty of great chase scenes and more of the cheesy dialogue that helped this franchise become so iconic. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines set into motion so many interesting possibilities for this legendary sci-fi series, and it’s a real shame that later movies like Terminator Genisys chose to ignore the events of this movie.

7

RoboCop 2 (1990)

Directed by Irvin Kershner

While the premise of RoboCop may look silly on paper, the truth was that the original movie and its sequel were both incredible explorations of corporate power, politics, humanity, and masculinity. Although the first movie has been endlessly praised for its thematic depth, for some strange reason, this acclaim has not been extended to RoboCop 2, which continued the franchise’s critique of American capitalism and the military-industrial complex.

RoboCop 2 was also notable as the last movie to feature Peter Weller in the тιтle role, and the series went off the rails with a truly disappointing third movie. With great special effects for its time, some tragic characterization, and plenty of violent action, those who dismiss this underrated sequel are missing out big time. While RoboCop 2 might not be as great as the original, it was definitely the best sequel in this long-running franchise.

6

The Matrix Resurrections (2021)

Directed by Lana Wachowski

While the original Matrix trilogy has its supporters, many feel that turning this cyberpunk classic into a franchise undid some of the power of the original and became increasingly convoluted as it went on. Even more people criticized the legacy sequel The Matrix Resurrections, which saw Keanu Reeves reprise his role as Neo in a satirical story that poked fun at the way studios refuse to let IPs come to an end.

With some clever, tongue-in-cheek humor that leans into the very idea of this film being unnecessary, The Matrix Resurrections felt like Wachowski was having her cake and eating it too, as she explored the very idea of a legacy sequel through its self-aware narrative. There’s something admirable about the strangeness of The Matrix Resurrections, and although it’ll never hold a candle to the original, it was enjoyable to see these characters on screen once again.

5

Predator 2 (1990)

Directed by Stephen Hopkins

The Predator franchise has consistently struggled to recapture the magic of the original Arnold Schwarzenegger movie. At the time of its release, Predator 2 received negative reviews and was largely dismissed by critics. However, Predator 2 was far better than it ever received credit for and stands as one of the most enjoyable blends of action, horror, and sci-fi of the 1990s. With a new city setting and some great hidden details that laid the foundations for its later crossover with the Alien franchise, it’s no surprise that the film has quietly built a cult following over the years.

Predator 2 stands as a solid sci-fi action movie that traded the claustrophobic surroundings of its jungle setting for a gritty urban environment that highlighted the Yautja as a major threat no matter what the landscape. With some great action sequences, the real highlight of Predator 2 was its climactic scene where Lieutenant Mike Harrigan (Danny Glover) made it onboard the creature’s ship, a moment that expanded upon the lore of the series and gave unique insight into the true nature of the alien species.

4

Tron: Legacy (2010)

Directed by Joseph Kosinski

The first Tron movie was about as 1980s as it gets, although its groundbreaking visuals and trailblazing use of CGI make it stand out as a hugely influential movie. With a cult fanbase that built up over the decades, the series returned after 28 years with Tron: Legacy in 2010. This incredible sequel divided critics at the time, and although it was a hit at the box office, the movie never really got the credit it deserved for how well it followed up on the legacy of the original while also carving out something new.

From its powerful soundtrack by Daft Punk right through to its impressive visuals, Tron: Legacy was a worthy sequel that updated the video game inspirations of this franchise for a new generation. With Jeff Bridges returning as the arcade game inventor Kevin Flynn, this was a much darker adventure that leaned into the mature themes that underpinned its richly imaginative world. With a third installment, Tron: Ares, due for release in 2025, there’s never been a better time to go back and revisit Tron: Legacy.

3

2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984)

Directed by Peter Hyams

As a sequel to Stanley Kubrick’s sci-fi masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey, 2010: The Year We Make Contact was always going to be somewhat of a letdown. However, this story about a joint American and Soviet crew attempting to discover what went wrong on the Discovery One mission actually had a lot to offer and was far better than its reputation suggests. With an A-list cast featuring Roy Scheider, Helen Mirren, and John Lithgow, those who opt to check it out will discover a fascinating adaptation of Arthur C. Clarke’s novel 2010: Odyssey Two.

The problem with 2010: The Year We Make Contact is that it’s impossible to improve upon perfection, and when compared to the astounding use of music, trailblazing visuals, and philosophical depth of Kubrick’s film, it was always going to come up short. But if you take a moment to just view this film on its own merits alone, what will be revealed is a top-tier 1980s sci-fi that added new depth to the story of HAL.

2

Escape From The Planet Of The Apes (1971)

Directed by Don Taylor

The original Planet of the Apes with Charlton Heston has remained a touchstone of popular culture, whose incredible twist ending has been endlessly parodied across film and television. However, this enduring relevance did not extend to the various sequels produced throughout the 1970s, which continued the story of the futuristic chimpanzees Cornelius and Zira and their encounters with humanity. One of the best sequels was the third movie, Escape from the Planet of the Apes, which saw its ape characters fleeing the future to emerge in 20th-century Los Angeles.

Escape from the Planet of the Apes put a unique spin on this sci-fi franchise, and its contemporary setting helped lay the groundwork for many of the themes and ideas seen in the later reboot series. With a campy sense of humor and some thought-provoking concepts, it was fascinating to witness how these newly arrived talking chimpanzees gained huge media attention and became almost celebrity-like figures. As much a satire on sensationalism as it was a sci-fi tale, Escape from the Planet of the Apes was clever and fun.

1

Universal Soldier: Day Of Reckoning (2012)

Directed by John Hyams

Although the various Universal Soldier sequels were of varying quality, the sixth and final installment truly kicked things into hyperdrive and gave audiences an exciting conclusion to this long-running franchise. With recognizable stars like Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren returning and Scott Adkins showing off his talent as a major new action star, Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning was a brutal and surreal installment that pushed audiences outside their comfort zones.

With Adkins as a former military man on the mission to avenge his wife and daughter and take down the eponymous Universal Soldier Luc Deveraux, Day of Reckoning revealed that Deveraux has since become a terrifying terrorist military leader. Although Day of Reckoning was a direct-to-video release, many praised its haunting atmosphere and unique sense of style, with some critics even comparing it to the worlds of auteurs like Michael Haneke and David Lynch. While Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning won’t be for everyone, those who like their sci-fi stories brutal and intense will certainly be in for a good time.