2022 saw the release of the long awaited “Top Gun: Maverick,” a movie that worked as a legacy sequel to the classic action film “Top Gun.” Despite long delays in its release and some bad press, “Top Gun: Maverick” earned great reviews, and a banging box office making it one of the highest grossing movies of the year. With “Top Gun: Maverick” paving the way to be considered a classic soon enough, it’s a great example of a legacy sequel. Here are five other great legacy sequels that I loved.
Doctor Sleep
Mike Flanagan’s sequel to “The Shining” was my favorite movie of 2019 and is a masterstroke of horror and dark fantasy. Delving in to the concept of the shining even further, Flanagan takes Stephen King’s novel and transforms it in to an engaging and compelling horror outing involving Danny Torrance’s quest to come to grips with his father’s own undoing, all the while battling a cult that can consume the shining from others. It’s a remarkable film and one I adore.
Creed
The Ryan Coogler directed boxing drama is a legacy sequel to “Rocky IV” working as a continuation to the saga of Apollo Creed. This time we focus on his son Adonis, who is trying to live up to his dad’s legacy. For that he turns to his father’s old ally Rocky Balboa. This legacy sequel is action packed, emotional, and kind of beautiful in certain parts with Michael B. Jordan doing a bang up job in what could have been a disastrous cinematic vehicle.
Bill and Ted Face the Music
The long awaited third film in the “Bill and Ted” series is a lovingly made and charming fantasy comedy that explores the true beauty of music and the music that we love. Bill and Ted are now dads struggling to live up to the admiration of their daughters Thea and Billi, and are called upon for a greater purpose. With Thea and Billi hot on their heels, they take one final adventure through time and space. I’m glad Keanu Reeves returned for this final film in the series, as it’s a great closer to such a unique fantasy comedy franchise.
Scream (Scream V)
After the death of Wes Craven, fans weren’t sure where they’d take the “Scream” movie series, if they took it anywhere. “Scream V” thankfully is a winner, as it paves the way for a new slew of characters we can root for while also assembling the surviving Woodsboro trio. Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett’s horror sequel brings back Sidney, Gale and Dewey one last time to face off against the sadistic Ghost Face, as a new culprit has taken up the guise. “Scream V” is a fitting tribute to the original film, taking us back to the roots of the series, while also working as a commentary on the climate of horror fandom as Craven and Kevin Williamson often did.
Top Gun: Maverick
I was not a fan of the original “Top Gun” as I’ve often found it to be a drag, so I was shocked to find “Maverick” to be a rousing, and raucous legacy sequel. Not only does this long awaited follow up pay big respect to the original film’s legacy, but also carves out a gallery of fascinating and charming heroes. Tom Cruise is as great as ever, reprising his heroic role of Maverick, who finds himself losing track of a world that might not need him as technology evolves. It’s simple in premise, but a great traditional action blockbuster.