The horror genre is flooded with sequels. A lot of the longest running movie franchises happen to be horror films, but that doesn’t mean that they are all worth watching. Sometimes, franchises stay long past their welcome, but there are a few bright spots when it comes to horror sequels. Here’s what we think are the best of the best. Don’t forget to VOTE at the bottom of the page.
Dan’s Pick: Dawn Of The Dead (1978)
George Romero single handedly brought the zombie genre to the forefront of horror movies and made the stumbling ghouls a house hold name with Night of the Living Dead. This movie is a masterpiece of horror and surprisingly is followed up with another horror masterpiece, Dawn of the Dead. It has interesting characters; it raises the stakes, and has humor when it needs it. Not to mention all the blood and guts that get strewn throughout the movie.
The best part of this movie is its setting. The remaining survivors take refuge inside a shopping mall and make the best if their situation by wearing the best clothes, eating whatever they want, and just generally having a blast. It’s an obvious poke at how we become mindless zombies just buying whatever we’re told to buy, but it really is the perfect spot to hold up for a zombie apocalypse. Tom Savini does the make up and special effects for the film and does an amazing job with some of the gruesome death scenes.
This movie is a must watch for any fan who claims to love zombies, and to all of my Walking Dead fans, make sure to thank Romero for making that show possible.
Mark’s Pick: Friday the 13th Part II
Sequels are usually cash grabs that try to take advantage of the success of its predecessor, and most are complete failures. The success rate for a sequel depends on two factors: length between releases and quality of the story. In the horror genre, the successful ones are very few and far between, but if there is one that is head and shoulder above the rest it is, Friday the 13th Part 2. This is my choice for No. 1 sequel for one reason and one reason only, Jason Voorhees. Part 2 is the only sequel to introduce the villain that would become synonymous with a particular series. Honestly, I don’t even think it’s happened in other genres, and that’s what makes it special.
The film itself isn’t as good as the original, but the introduction of Jason is more than enough to carry the film. The film opens on a high note as they surprise the audience by killing off the first film’s protagonist, Alice Hardy. Jason’s first kill isn’t with his trusty machete, but rather an ice pick; he actually doesn’t use the large knife until his third kill.
While most of the movie is forgettable, the final scene helps to at least partially save the movie. After “killing” Jason, Ginny and Paul escape to a cabin where they are met by their friend, Muffin. Just as the audience appears relaxes at what looks to be a happy ending, Jason burst through the window and attacks Ginny and instantly a legend is born. The scene is one of the most iconic of all-time, and helped solidify Jason as the most identifiable horror villain of his generation. That is why Friday the 13th Part 2 is the best sequel of all-time.
Anthony’s Pick: Halloween III: Season of the Witch
From the opening shot of a television screen to the weird 8-bit soundtrack that doesn’t sound like the original theme whatsoever, it would be understandable if people thought they walked into the wrong theater when they first laid eyes upon the second sequel to the masterpiece, Halloween. After all, Michael Myers had already become a legend in the horror genre and continuing the series without him seems downright batty. But what Halloween III: Season of the Witch is something more than just a straight-up sequel; it gives us one of the most off-the-wall adventures of the horror genre.
The film stars Tom Atkins, his glorious mustache, and a woman that looks sort of like Jami Gertz. Atkins and the woman start to investigate the mysterious death of her father, which leads them to the odd town of Santa Mira, California and the Silver Shamrock novelties factory. I could keep going, but let’s just say that nothing is out of bounds in this film: robots, aliens, Stonehenge, child genocide, it all comes into play in this film that seems off when you start it, but just is so much ridiculousness that it culminates into awesomeness.
I give this movie credit. First of all, producers Debra Hill and John Carpenter refused to bring back Michael Myers, which is something no one would dream of at this point in Hollywood. To keep such an iconic character on the bench wouldn’t fly in this day and age. Second of all, for a movie to basically center on mass-murdering children, it takes a set of enormous stones. Maybe even Stonehenge.
What’s the best horror sequel? Did we miss one? Vote or comment!
The Main Damie 