Every week at SiftPop.com, we challenge our writers to choose what they think is the best movie under a certain topic related to a recent release. So this week, with the release of John Wick: Chapter 4, we’re counting down our favorite sequels with runtimes over two hours and 30 minutes! Let us know @SiftPop what your ranking is!
Alright, let’s start by addressing the elephant in the room: The Last Jedi may, for some reason, be among the most controversial films to come out in the past decade. Depending on your point of view, Rian Johnson’s entry into the Star Wars universe may either be one of the best in the series, or a disgrace to the franchise. Personally, despite its flaws, I absolutely love it. First and foremost, I think it is by far the best looking movie in the series, with unparalleled cinematography and production design, and that the Holdo maneuver is the single most stunning moment in any Star Wars film. We also get some great action sequences during the throne room fight and the climactic battle on Crait, the latter of which highlights the beauty of the film with the contrast of red and white on the planet’s surface. Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver continue to shine in their starring roles as Rey and Kylo Ren, supported by Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Oscar Isaac, and John Boyega in returning roles, along with newcomers Kellie Marie Tran, Laura Dern, and Benicio del Toro. This may also be the funniest script we’ve ever had for a Star Wars film, and it introduces us to the wonderful porgs, some of the most delightful creatures we’ve met in this galaxy. By now, I’m sure you already know if you love it or hate it, but I adore it and will happily watch it over and over again. (Jake Hjort)
Has there been a more frustrating wait for a sequel than Avatar? The first film scored the biggest box office of all time and James Cameron planned plenty more trips to Pandora. About six different release dates later, and with plenty of hype for many and plenty of apathy for others, The Way of Water arrived with another giant box office haul for Cameron and his crew. But after all of this time, was this continuation of Jake Sully’s story worth it? This new water-centric story is bigger and bolder that also feels even more intimate, with plenty of sincere character moments. Pandora grows in scope with this world of water and a whole new tribe to connect with. We see these characters connect with the world and the beings around them, as they are confronted by even more impressive and dangerous antagonists. This epic-sized sequel builds to a final action set piece that is incredible in scale, and thrilling in action. There is more character, heart, and soul this time around, which is refreshing for a film clocking in at over three hours. (Shane Conto)
After the shocking and heartbreaking events of Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame picks up mere days after the aftermath of Thanos’ infamous snap, and brings the remaining Avengers together to deal with the loss of many heroes, and half of the population in the universe. Their failure leads to them devising a Hail Mary plan to redeem themselves and undo the irrevocable damage that was made by the Mad Titan. There is so much of this movie to love! We see some of our favorite Avengers deliver masterful performances, the story brings us sadness and humor and copious amounts of joy – particularly toward the end – and it brings the entire MCU up to that point to a satisfying ending, while also casually setting up other stories for the future! This film also brings us a lot of very iconic moments, like the “On Your Left” scene and the “America’s Ass” comment from Paul Rudd’s Ant-Man. You are so engaged and amazed by everything that happens that when you look back and see that you just watched a three-hour film, it feels like the time flew by! Avengers: Endgame is a film I will not forget anytime soon, and I think it will stand the test of time for many moviegoers, as it displays how a truly epic superhero film should be! (Jeff Alan)
You could be excused if the only exposure you’ve had to The Raid and its sequel is watching the fight scenes on YouTube, and there’s good reason for that. Even people who haven’t seen the films by now know about them purely for the quality of their martial arts scenes. Iko Uwais has managed to make a career as an action hero off the back of them, and the kitchen fight at the end of the second film is often touted as one of the greatest fight scenes in movie history. Surrounding the top notch action, though, are two movies that deal with police corruption and gang violence in many ways that you will have seen before. Their plots are straightforward, so the fight scenes get all the attention they need, and as much screen time as they need, while remaining creative and thrilling — something modern American action movies can take many lessons from. There’s a reason the John Wick movies are considered the best modern American action movies, despite a host of incredible B-movie action that’s still being made, and it’s in large part because a stunt performer is in charge of the production, just as The Raid and its sequel allow their stunt performers and martial artists to take the lead on the action. If you’re at all into action movies, you’ll probably already have seen these, but if something has been holding you off on it until now, consider them firmly recommended. (Chris Bakker)
Hailed as a sci-fi classic by many, 1982’s Blade Runner may have a more complicated legacy nowadays — particularly given the numerous versions that exist. As someone who wasn’t particularly taken with the first foray into this world, the fact that I was taken in by Blade Runner 2049 is a testament to one of today’s best science fiction directors, Denis Villeneuve. Picking up the story 30 years later, we’re introduced to a new blade runner in Agent K (Ryan Gosling), whose investigation leads him to track down Harrison Ford’s Rick Deckard. 2049 takes the atmosphere and the world that was established in the original and builds off of it. We get another enigmatic hero in K, and a relationship we can invest in between him and Joi (Ana de Armas), despite its unorthodox nature. Villeneuve is able to keep the noir feel for this mystery, and, with the help of some gorgeous cinematography from the legendary Roger Deakins, sculpt a visual masterpiece. It’s an achievement that helps it surpass the original and connect with people, like me, who find themselves ambivalent about its predecessor. That’s no small feat. (Jake Bourgeois)
What it means to be human pervades Terminator 2: Judgement Day, unequivocally the greatest sequel ever made. Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) nearly sacrifices her humanity to avert the future of her nightmares. John Connor (Edward Furlong) grows to see his machine protector as a father figure. Even the Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) itself grasps the complexity of human emotion. Perhaps lost on audiences today is how much of a gamble it was for James Cameron to take the Terminator — an iconic villain that couldn’t be bargained or reasoned with, and who didn’t feel pity, or remorse, or fear — and reprogram it into the hero. Despite trailers spoiling that twist, it’s obvious that Schwarzenegger as the massively framed, T-800 protagonist, and Robert Patrick as the starkly contrasted, liquid metal T-1000 antagonist was meant to be a surprise reveal. Sarah Connor is also playing against type for the sequel. Gone is the innocent bystander from the first film; she’s replaced by a hardened warrior on a mission. Her reunion with the merciless cyborg that has haunted her dreams since before her son was even conceived is a standout sequence of the movie, highlighting just a fraction of the revolutionary theatrical special effects showcased throughout T2 that have effortlessly withstood the test of time. With a runtime 46 minutes longer than its predecessor, and a budget ballooned from $6.4 million of The Terminator, to $100 million, Terminator 2: Judgement Day is an emotional journey of flawed heroes battling a seemingly inevitable fate. (Jonathan Fedee)
Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight is a movie we both need and deserve. Its talented cast, beautifully dark cinematography, and thrilling storyline make it the best in Nolan’s trilogy. When Gotham City falls victim to the Joker’s (Heath Ledger) maniacal attacks, it’s up to Batman (Christian Bale) to spring back into action and stop him. Ledger’s unforgettable performance as the Joker sets this film apart from any other movie. The dark intensity he displays in his final role makes it difficult for other actors to fill his shoes. Gary Oldman also gives a notable performance as Commissioner James Gordon. He beautifully captures the duality of the commissioner’s sternness and passion for protecting a city he loves so much. And, this film does not skimp on the action. Explosions, crashes, and fights will keep your heart racing. With a plot that’s just as explosive, you won’t even feel the two-hour-and-32-minute runtime. Nolan pleased tried and true fans by honoring the world built in the comics, but still keeps things fresh and exciting. The Dark Knight is an important and pivotal moment in superhero movies that should be watched at least once. (Diana Gebbia)
When I was in high school, my friends and I went to go see movies as a giant group, and there were few that captured our collective imaginations more than The Lord of the Rings on the big screen. There was a span of time where we looked forward to watching all those movies each year, while eagerly looking for info, trailers, or any details about the upcoming movie. I can remember watching The Two Towers for the first time in the theaters and remembering two things: First, the Battle of Helm’s Deep is one of the greatest battle sequences I had ever seen. To this day, I can remember being on the edge of my seat the whole time. And second, Sam’s speech about how there’s some good in this world, and it’s worth fighting for. I cried the first time I heard that speech, and it’s so important to me that I can not only recite it from memory, but I have that line tattooed on my shoulder as well. Yes, I understand that not a lot of people have The Two Towers as their favorite LotR movie, let alone their favorite movie overall like I do. But The Two Towers represents so much for me: characters I was invested in, a battle for the ages, emotional weight, and a memorable experience at the theater. The Two Towers is why I write for SiftPop, because it’s why I love movies. (Mike Hilty)
“When you have to shoot, shoot. Don’t talk.” If we are talking about the best westerns of all time, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly must be in that conversation. And yet, on paper, everything seems to be going up against it. It is the last movie in a trilogy (and those aren’t usually the best), the film is at least two and a half hours long (depending on which version you watch, as we have some that clock in at three hours and six minutes!), and it is a slow-burning western. So what went right? Long story short: everything, but it starts with the leader, Sergio Leone. He understood how to stage a scene and create a compelling character, albeit one who is silent for most of the film. And when you add some gold into the conclusion of “the man with no name” storyline, you get a hunt for a treasure you won’t forget with a finale that is one of the best ever to put to film, alongside a score that is simply sublime (yet again, Ennio Morricone blessed us and did not get any appreciation). Everyone fires at all cylinders: the camera, soundtrack, direction, editing, and young Clint at his peak charisma make this into one of best — if not the best — westerns of all time. (Luke Burian)
Francis Ford Coppola once again donned the director’s chair for The Godfather Part II. In most people’s eyes, this is the best film in the trilogy; I think the reason that is the case is the way the way the narrative is divided. The film moves between Vito Corleone’s early life (played by Robert De Niro) and Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) in the 1950s, continuing the growth of the Corleone family. While the film is a staggering three hours and 22 minutes long, those who enjoy strong narrative and acting will appreciate every moment. It has a lot of moving parts, and that’s what adds to the enjoyment; the elaborate plots involving betrayal, murder, revenge, love are all perfectly rolled together. Pacino is even better in this film than he was in the first, and he feels more adjusted to his character. It was great that they got De Niro to play the young Vito; he excels at portraying a younger version that would align with Brando’s older Vito. The Godfather Part II is the pivotal gangster film experience, and overall one of the greatest films of all time. (Joe Vargas)
No Time to Die
I think I was initially intimidated by the beefy, almost three-hour runtime of James Bond’s latest exploits in No Time To Die. Is the plot overly complicated? Am I going to get bored halfway through and start scrolling on my phone? Do I even care what happens by the time it’s finally over? Wow, would I ever be shocked when the answers turn out to be, no, no, and yes!!! Daniel Craig’s final outing as Bond is definitely his best, and honestly made me reevaluate my opinion on who is the better Bond overall. Craig embodies the 007 trifecta of daring, debonair, and droll to perfection. After 163 minutes, the cleverly scored credits roll, and I still want more of what is now my favorite iteration of Ian Fleming’s mysterious main man (I’m sorry, Mr. Connery; you had a great run). The relationships between core characters get enough time to develop beyond the usual snarky retorts and double entendre, action scenes contain engrossing one-shots, Hans Zimmer’s score pays homage to past films while uniquely intertwining elements throughout (listen closely in the tunnels next time), and MI6 still has time to flaunt their fantastical gadgets thanks to the extended run time. Even if you don’t have all the time in the world, you will not regret checking Craig’s final double-oh performance off your watchlist, and find out exactly why there’s just no time to die. (Patrice Downing)
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Was there a bigger tear-jerker last year than Black Panther: Wakanda Forever? It’s not surprising that the film really pounded on emotion, as it deals with the grief of the shocking passing of Chadwick Boseman. It was more than touching to have the Marvel Studios logo filled with Boseman’s Black Panther/T’Challa. Showing past footage of him, the film could not have done the tribute to Boseman any more beautifully. The film starts with a sad opening when T’Challa dies off-screen due to an illness. T’Challa’s science-tech wiz sister Shuri (Letitia Wright)unfortunately couldn’t do enough to save him. You might think this film would addresses the Snap from Infinity War, right? Well, it doesn’t, instead having two kingdoms led by people of color fighting against one another, while addressing the cultural pains that Central and South America’s Indigenous kingdoms have suffered. Having the Snap along with this conflict would have been a burden for one movie. Also, the movie had to set things up for the upcoming Ironheart series in which Dominique Thorne plays Ironheart/Riri Williams. Overall, Wakanda Forever is full of emotional punches. (Christian Grullon)
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
They always say the sequel is never better than the first one. I have to disagree. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is better than An Unexpected Journey. The film begins where the first Hobbit left off, with Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) still on his journey with the dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield, to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug. The second film picks up the pace with exciting action sequences, visually striking CGI, new characters, and the return of Legolas (Orlando Bloom). The Desolation of Smaug carries the trilogy on its back, as the dwarves make their way home — with a few fights with blood-thirsty orcs, a long-lived feud with the elves, and Benedict Cumberbatch as the fire-breathing dragon, Smaug, along the way. The interaction between Bilbo and Smaug are my favorites, as the burglar tries to talk his way out of being burnt to a crisp. Smaug’s introduction is a spectacle, thanks to Cumberbatch’s fantastic motion capture and voice performance of the big baddie. His booming voice and terrifying appearance as the legendary serpentine make Cumberbatch one of the best. After a whopping runtime of 161 minutes, the golden specks fall like rain as Smaug ascends into the night sky and flies towards Dale, and fear-stricken Bilbo watches on before stating, “What have we done?” and the screen cuts to black. The Desolation of Smaug could’ve gone five minutes longer. (Chantal Ashford)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
When it comes to the Harry Potter books, you won’t find much bigger fans than me. But I’ve always been a bit indifferent about the movies, because, for the most part, I don’t think they do a good job adapting the books. The Chamber of Secrets is the exception, however, as all the important aspects of the book, Dobby, the Chamber, the Burrow, the Basilisk, Aragog, and the flying car scenes, are recreated just as they are described in the book. A particular standout in performance is Gilderoy Lockhart (Kenneth Branagh), the egotistical Defense Against the Dark Arts professor that everyone finds irritating, and who turns out to be a complete fraud. The overall story is one of my favorites in the series; the slow building of the mystery and the predicament the school finds itself in had me gripped from beginning to end, it is genuinely scary to see what is happening to the students, and the climax looks incredible. I never really warmed to Daniel Radcliffe in the title role, but the rest of the kids do a decent job. Tom Felton as the slimy Slytherin student Draco Malfoy is a clear standout in this one, as is Jason Isaacs as his father Lucius. I love the small elements of world building, such as learning Voldemort’s real name, the first mention of Azkaban, and the Muggle-born slur some wizards use. (John Tillyard)
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
When Disney decided to bring The Chronicles of Narnia to the big screen, starting with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe made sense. No, it’s not the first in the series in the chronological timeline, but the tales with the Pevensie children at their heart have always been the most popular. So, after the success of the first film, it’s easy to understand why the sequel, Prince Caspian, was green lit. The last of the films to feature all of the Pevensie children, it follows their quest to aid the titular royal in his fight against the villainous King Miraz (Sergio Castellitto). Admission time: I really like all of this trilogy — or at least that is my recollection, as it’s been a minute since I’ve caught one that’s not the original. Are the adaptations a bit Lord of the Rings knock-offy? Perhaps, but that’s never really bothered me. I enjoy these characters and the world enough that I’m just along for a good time and some epic battles. Sure, Netflix has announced plans for a reboot of the series, but they’ve had the rights since 2018 and it’s been all quiet on the Narnian front. So, until that comes to pass, I think this sequel deserves a second look. (Jake Bourgeois)
Superman Returns
“Does the world need Superman?” This question is tossed around constantly in 2006’s Superman Returns. After being absent from earth for five years (and even longer from the big screen), Superman returns to a world in desperate need of saving. Lex Luthor is plotting and planning. Crime is rampant in the streets. Natural disasters are striking left and right. It seems the Man of Tomorrow returned at the right time. As a legacy sequel to the original Superman franchise, the movie benefits from Kal-El as a savior and hopeful figure. Brandon Routh does well to fill the great Christopher Reeve’s shoes, and while he is not quite up to the task, he does his best. Kate Bosworth is better than your average damsel in distress — she gives Lois Lane a good name. While I refuse to mention He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named as the bald-headed demon Luthor, the disgraced actor fills the bald cap well. With terrific set pieces like the falling plane, city being shattered, and Superman lifting a continent into space, this movie aims it laser eyes for the skies. It is truly a shame this movie was buried behind the (well-deserved) acclaim and notoriety brought about by its peers in The Dark Knight franchise and the early years of the MCU. (Sam Nichols)
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
When the Pirates of the Caribbean sequels were announced all the way back in the early 2000s, you would have trouble finding someone more excited than me. Dead Man’s Chest was touted to have 45 minutes of action at the climax. I counted; it is not that long, and the action is often broken up with comedy bits that hit or miss. However, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End has the best action of any of the sequels. Everything you could possibly want from pirates is featured here: an epic sea battle, sword fights aplenty, and witty banter, all topped off with a score that sinks into your ears for ultimate viewing pleasure. Geoffrey Rush’s return as Captain Barbossa is what truly makes this the superior sequel. The whole second movie feels off due to the hole left by his mammoth performance. Bill Nighy’s Davy Jones is menacing and visually appealing, but Barbossa brings another level of fun not often seen in villains today. This film is the epic conclusion of a beloved franchise, and I believe it uses every second of its 169-minute runtime to move you forward at a Black Pearl’s pace. (Scott Batchelor)
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Not the only much maligned sequel on this list, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (particularly the Ultimate Edition) actually has a lot going for it. If you’re not a fan of Zack Snyder’s overall style, it makes sense that this isn’t for you, but after Man of Steel, this is where Snyder really introduced his style into the DC universe. It’s bombastic, operatic, melodramatic, self-serious, over the top, and yes, sometimes pretty silly, but it’s exactly what it wants to be. Not only is Snyder going full-on slow-mo and epic, but Junkie XL and Hans Zimmer’s score, the performances of our titular heroes, and the grand themes all work together to raise this to a singular level in terms of comic book movies. (Robert Bouffard)
It Chapter Two
Andy Muschietti had a mountain of a task with It Chapter Two,with it mostly taking place 27 years after the previous one; there would always be a tough road ahead with it. In a nearly three-hour runtime, he accomplishes this great feat, making this sequel almost as good as the first one. Most of the adult actors feel like who the child actors would grow up to be. With this amazing cast, the film brings some laughs and some amazing scares. Bill Skarsgård will probably always be known as Pennywise, and he dials his performance up to 11. This movie, even though it is long, is necessary in completing this story. The Losers have to face off against Pennywise one last time to save the future generations from his reign of terror. Some notable adult performers here are Bill Hader, Jessica Chastain, and James McAvoy, and they perfectly play older Richie, Bev, and Bill, which helps bring this story full circle. If you are a Stephen King fan, this is one not to miss when looking for great horror movies. (Austen Terry)