History Main / EvenBetterSequel

* ''Film/AsterixAndObelixMissionCleopatra'' ([[ComicBook/{{Asterix}} the titular comics]] live-action adaptation) was a lot funnier and better than the first, ''Film/AsterixAndObelixTakeOnCaesar'' ''[[http://streetfighter-4.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/asterix_aux_jeux_olympiques1.jpg Asterix and Obelix at the Olympic Games]]'' is said to be less good than the second but better than the first.

* ''Film/AsterixAndObelixMissionCleopatra'' ([[ComicBook/{{Asterix}} the titular comics]] live-action adaptation) was a lot funnier and better than the first, ''[[http://www.cinemagora.com/images/films/39/14539-b-asterix-et-obelix-contre-cesar.jpg Asterix and Obelix Take On Cesar.]]'' ''[[http://streetfighter-4.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/asterix_aux_jeux_olympiques1.jpg Asterix and Obelix at the Olympic Games]]'' is said to be less good than the second but better than the first.

* Music/TheBeatles were incredibly popular and well-loved with their first few albums, and were breaking new ground with them. But there were still critics at the time convinced that The Beatles were nothing but a passing fancy for the ladies who would inevitably give way to the next big thing. The lads from Liverpool responded by churning out ''Music/RubberSoul'', ''Music/{{Revolver}}'', ''Music/SgtPeppersLonelyHeartsClubBand'', ''Music/TheWhiteAlbum'' and ''Music/AbbeyRoad''. The rest is history. ''Music/PleasePleaseMe'', while being a popular albums coming from the UK in 1963, was undeniably topped by ''Music/WithTheBeatles''. And with "She Loves You" making them superstars in Europe and "I Want to Hold Your Hand" doing the same in America, it probably seemed the only way was down. Cue ''Film/AHardDaysNight'' -- [[Music/AHardDaysNight album]], song and film.

* Although Music/BonJovi's first two albums were popular, ''Slippery When Wet'' surpassed them by selling diamond in the US and topping the charts in seven countries. It is also their most critically acclaimed album.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSecretLifeOfPets2'' has been hailed by many to be better than its predecessor. Helps that it's audience score is in the low 90's compared to the first film's 62%.

* ''Manga/RosarioToVampire Season II'' (not to be confused with the anime's ''[=Capu2=]'') is regarded as much better than the original manga, thanks to a DarkerAndEdgier plot, amazing ArtEvolution, more CharacterDevelopment and TheHero Tsukune being more badass than he was in season I.

* Music/{{Nirvana}}'s ''Music/{{Nevermind}}''. While ''Nevermind'' was a massive success and now ranks highly as one of the greatest albums of all time, Nirvana's first album, ''Music/{{Bleach}}'', is almost completely unknown by comparison.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSecretLifeOfPets2'' is being hailed by many to be better than its predecessor. Helps that it's audience score is in the low 90's compared to the first film's 62%.

* There does indeed exist a group of fans who believe ''Film/{{Grease 2}}'' to be superior to ''Film/{{Grease}}'' for a number of reasons, including (but not limited to): a more relatable male lead, Michelle Pfeiffer being better looking and stronger-willed than Olivia Newton-John, funnier and less forced T-Bird humor, no ridiculously over-exposed songs like "Summer Nights" and "You're The One That I Want", the sheer inclusion of the "Reproduction" song, etcetera.

* ''Film/SuperSizeMe2HolyChicken'': Held against the original ''Film/SuperSizeMe'', this really shows Spurlock's maturation as a film-maker with vastly improved camerawork, editing, and scripting, as well as delivering a much more targeted and robust critique of the the fast food industry by focusing on its VeryFalseAdvertising and [[MegaCorp Big Chicken]]'s abusive corporate practices against the regular farmers compared with the far more {{Anvilicious}} message of the original.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSecretLifeOfPets2'' is being hailed by many to be better than it's predecessor. Helps that it's audience score is in the low 90's compared to the first film's 62%.

** The ''WesternAnimation/{{Madagascar}}'' films received a giant jump in quality with each sequel installment. This was partly because the characters' struggle to get home gave the series a structure, allowing it to conclude in a emotionally believable way that builds on the characters' growth and change with the third film.

* ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueUnlimited'' managed to outdo the awesomeness of ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'', thanks in no small part to two season-spanning Universe-shattering {{Myth Arc}}s. Oh, and ComicBook/TheQuestion's transformation from an obscure DC character to an EnsembleDarkHorse.

* ''Film/AFistfulOfDollars'' was a good movie. Its sequel, ''Film/ForAFewDollarsMore'', was an improvement in several ways. The third film, ''Film/TheGoodTheBadAndTheUgly'', is even better than the second one and is often cited as one of the best films ever made.

* The first two books in ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'' were StrictlyFormula and didn't do much, even if they were enjoyable reads. As the series continued, it got deeper, began playing with tropes a lot more, deviating from formula, and developing characters beyond the stock modern fantasy character archetypes.

** The initial "trilogy" (2001-2003) of is the best-known for its unique premise and memorable characters and setting, but it was during the Metru Nui saga (2004) that the true world-building began and the characters were allowed to go beyond being one-note stereotypes. The story, up until then fairly linear and riddled with fantasy-clichés, also got more complex and serious, and the BigBad was re-imagined as a complicated and realistic villain.

** The sets introduced from 2004 onwards are seen a vast improvements from their predecessors with improved articulation and more varied and complex builds.

* The initial "trilogy" (2001-2003) of Toys/{{LEGO}}'s ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}'' is the best-known for its unique premise and memorable characters and setting, but it was during the Metru Nui saga (2004) that the true world-building began and the characters were allowed to go beyond being one-note stereotypes. The story, up until then fairly linear and riddled with fantasy-clichés, also got more complex and serious, and the BigBad was re-imagined as a complicated and realistic villain. The Mask of Life saga (2006-2008) is also liked for placing heavy focus on action, replacing troop-builders with well characterized, individual villains, and for loosening up some of the story's more worn-out "rules". This was also when the world was developed into an entire complex universe as the writers introduced several other islands.

* ''Film/SuperSizeMe2HolyChicken'': When compared to the original ''Film/SuperSizeMe'', it really shows Spurlock's maturation as a film-maker with vastly improved camerawork, editing, and scripting, as well as delivering a much more targeted and robust critique of the the fast food industry by focusing on its VeryFalseAdvertising and [[MegaCorp Big Chicken]]'s abusive corporate practices against the regular farmers after the far more {{Anvilicious}} aesop of the original.

It's possible that in the musical world, even better sequel is the rule rather the exception, considering that an artist's first album (though still good) may have been recorded when they were still trying to figure out their style. Also common in video games, where the sequel is often built on the technological and fictional foundation of the first, significantly reducing the time needed to come up with or adapt new technology or build the game's world, and allowing the developers to focus on enhancing the things that work and prune the things that don't. Sequels in any medium may also benefit from the higher budget and greater creative freedom that are afforded to a proven franchise, provided the beancounters have the good sense to refrain from {{executive meddling}}. This also applies to literature, where an author's work is generally regarded to improve after their first published efforts. In fact, prejudice against sequels typically applies only to film, whether or not such an attitude is justified.

** ''[[VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorneySpiritOfJustice Spirit of Justice]]'' when compared to ''[[VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorneyDualDestinies Dual Destinies]]''. While the former was quite well received, the game received criticism for its [[AnnoyingVideoGameHelper hand-holding,]] [[ItsEasySoItSucks easiness]] [[SequelDifficultyDrop compared to previous games,]] and even the plotline to some, feeling like it focuses too much on Athena than in Phoenix or even Apollo. By contrast, ''Spirit of Justice'' is generally agreed to be a notable improvement over the previous game, mainly thanks to it being more challenging, having much less hand-holding, returning several beloved mechanics as well as introducing new ones like the Divination Seánce, as well as having a complex and interesting storyline [[spoiler:that gives Apollo a heavy amount of CharacterDevelopment and even makes him the protagonist of the story even more so than his debut game.]] To put it mildly, it's to ''Dual Destinies'' what ''Trials and Tribulations'' was to ''Justice For All'', and the second ''Investigations'' game to the first one. Some are even calling it the best game in the main series ''period'', which is saying something.

** ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon2'' is considered by many animation fans and fans of the first film to be slightly better than the first, as it not only improves upon the flaws of the original (e.g. the derivative yet well-executed plot), but also expands the franchise's own world, and the characters that live in it (Hiccup in particular). ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragonTheHiddenWorld'' meanwhile is considered by many to be even ''better'' and a fantastic conclusion to the trilogy, with many thinking its only real flaw is having a weaker villain.

* ''WesternAnimation/FrozenII'' is frequently hailed as a considerable improvement over its predecessor for its darker and more emotional story, greatly fleshing out the world, superior character development, and absolutely breathtaking music.

* Music/{{Rush}}'s ''Music/FlyByNight'' is vastly more respected than their [[Music/Rush Album debut album]], largely because of Neil Peart joining the band. Not that the original doesn't still have its charms.

* Music/{{Rush}}'s ''Fly by Night'' is vastly more respected than their debut album, largely because of Neil Peart joining the band. Not that the original doesn't still have its charms.

[[folder:Anime & Manga]]