History Main / EvenBetterSequel

* Music/{{Nightwish}} was doing pretty good as a power metal band with ''Wishmaster''. But the point where they really hit their stride was probably around ''Century Child'', when they figured out that the best way to use their opera-trained soprano vocalist was to reduce the amount of extremely high-speed guitar, increase the amount of OneWomanWail, and [[SymphonicMetal back her up with a whole freaking orchestra]]. Then they topped that with ''Once'', essentially an entire album of the most over-the-top epic music you ever did hear, including "Ghost Love Score," [[MemeticMutation infamous]] as the song of choice for [[MundaneMadeAwesome making everyday things AWESOME]].

* ''Music/{{Paranoid}}'' is generally considered the best Music/BlackSabbath album. Guess which number it is.

* Although ''Film/TheAddamsFamily'' was very well recieved critically and financially, is often accepted that its sequel ''Film/TheAddamsFamilyValues'' is even better specially regarding plot and script.

* Although ''Film/TheAddamsFamily'' was very well recieved critically and financially, is often accepted that its sequel ''Film/ThaAddamsFamilyValues'' is even better specially regarding plot and script.

* ''Film/SonicTheHedgehog'' was already considered an astounding subversion of VideoGameMoviesSuck, and ''Film/SonicTheHedgehog2'' earned even better remarks with a larger scope, fun new characters, and more elements reminiscent of the games.

** Among the Wolverine spin-off trilogy, the critically-bashed ''Film/XMenOriginsWolverine'' was followed by a SurprisinglyImprovedSequel with ''Film/TheWolverine'', which was itself followed by ''Film/{{Logan}}'', critically adored (92% on Rotten Tomatoes) and praised by many critics as [[http://www.businessinsider.com/logan-reviews-critics-2017-3/#its-dark-and-risky-1 "one of the best superhero movies ever"]] for its darker tone.

** ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'' has its strong points, but it's generally seen as a step down from ''Film/{{The Avengers|2012}}'', which was a ToughActToFollow. In particular, many reviewers criticized its overly complex plot, its [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters over-abundance of new characters]] (not all of whom were properly developed), and its occasionally [[MoodWhiplash uneven blend of drama and comedy]], as well as a few overlong action sequences that lacked any real pathos. ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'' is considered an improvement in every conceivable way, with many critics calling it one of the greatest superhero films ''ever''. It boasts a tighter plot, a stronger villain, and more epic action sequences; it manages to effectively juggle ''dozens'' of superheroes in the same cast, and it's all capped off by [[spoiler:[[TheBadGuyWins an emotional gut-punch of an ending]].]] ''Film/AvengersEndgame'' shattered everyone's expectations all over again, ending with a GrandFinale to end all {{Grand Finale}}s.[[note]] Note that this is partly due to a talent shakeup at Marvel Studios: Creator/JossWhedon directed the first two ''Avengers'' films, but frequently had to deal with ExecutiveMeddling by Marvel's infamous "creative committee". After he declined to return, he was replaced by Creator/TheRussoBrothers who only had to answer to Creator/KevinFeige following Disney restructuring the company.[[/note]]

* ''Film/RiseOfThePlanetOfTheApes'' was considered a flawed but successful and enjoyable reboot to an ailing [[Franchise/PlanetOfTheApes sci-fi franchise]], with a groundbreaking performance by Creator/AndySerkis helping to make up for its faults. ''Film/DawnOfThePlanetOfTheApes'' improves on everything, with more complex characters, both human and ape, across the board, strong social and political themes that are deeply explored, and a career-best performance from Serkis, with many calling for an Oscar nomination. The result has been compared to ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack'' and ''Film/TheDarkKnight'', been called one of the best and most emotionally powerful movies of 2014, and the kind of film other summer blockbusters should strive to be.

* Music/PinkFloyd. There are many Floyd fans that not only hold ''Music/TheDarkSideOfTheMoon'' as a classic in its own right but also believe the following album, ''Music/WishYouWereHere'', is even better still. At least 2 of the Floyd members, David Gilmour and Richard Wright, believe Wish You Were Here is the best Floyd album.

* While it may not have matched the sales and impact as her first album ''Music/PureHeroine'', Music/{{Lorde}}'s second album'' Melodrama'' was regarded as this by various critics, even making it on lists of the Top Ten best albums of 2017 by various publications. Allmusic even gave it a [[https://www.allmusic.com/album/melodrama-mw0003031925 5 out of 5 star review]] compared to the 3 out of 5 stars of ''Pure Heroine''.

* ''Film/{{Crank}}'' was somewhat over-the-top (mildly formulated) but enjoyable. The sequel [[IncrediblyLamePun cranked]] everything up, including the meta. Please have your ration of BellisariosMaxim ready!

* ''VisualNovel/Danganronpa2GoodbyeDespair'' features better cases and more bonus content that its predecessor, while keeping all the positive aspects from the original.

** ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheFirstAvenger'' was considered a solid action movie by most critics and audiences, applauded for its fun characters and proper character development, but it had the second-lowest box office returns of the MCU's first wave of movies (only ''Film/TheIncredibleHulk'' did worse), and it was written off by numerous fans as nothing more than a simple prologue to ''[[Film/TheAvengers2012 The Avengers]]''. To many people's pleasant surprise, ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier'' turned out to be one of Marvel Studios' most critically acclaimed films to date, garnering the strongest reviews for the series since ''The Avengers'', and the fandom considers it one of the contenders for the best film in the franchise. It's also another one of the GenreShift examples, as ''First Avenger'' was a WWII adventure while ''Winter Soldier'' was a ConspiracyThriller.

** ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'' has its strong points, but it's generally seen as a step down from ''Film/TheAvengers2012'', which was a ToughActToFollow. In particular, many reviewers criticized its overly complex plot, its [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters over-abundance of new characters]] (not all of whom were properly developed), and its occasionally [[MoodWhiplash uneven blend of drama and comedy]], as well as a few overlong action sequences that lacked any real pathos. ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'' is considered an improvement in every conceivable way, with many critics calling it one of the greatest superhero films ''ever''. It boasts a tighter plot, a stronger villain, and more epic action sequences; it manages to effectively juggle ''dozens'' of superheroes in the same cast, and it's all capped off by [[spoiler:[[TheBadGuyWins an emotional gut-punch of an ending]].]] ''Film/AvengersEndgame'' shattered everyone's expectations all over again, ending with a GrandFinale to end all {{Grand Finale}}s.[[note]] Note that this is partly due to a talent shakeup at Marvel Studios: Creator/JossWhedon directed the first two ''Avengers'' films, but frequently had to deal with ExecutiveMeddling by Marvel's infamous "creative committee". After he declined to return, he was replaced by Creator/TheRussoBrothers who only had to answer to Creator/KevinFeige following Disney restructuring the company.[[/note]]

* Music/PinkFloyd. There are many Floyd fans that not only hold ''Music/TheDarkSideOfTheMoon'' as a classic in its own right but also believe the following album, ''Music/WishYouWereHere'', is even better still. At least 2 of the Floyd members, David Gilmour and Richard Wright, believe Wish You WereHere is the best Floyd album.

** Film/SpiderManNoWayHome has been garnering better reviews than its [[Film/SpiderManHomecoming two]] [[Film/SpiderManFarFromHome predecessors]] and has shaped itself as one of Marvel Studios' most acclaimed films, seen as on par with the above-mentioned ''Avengers: Endgame''.

* While the original ''Film/{{Alien}}'' is a great movie -- interesting characters, creepy and horrifying designs for the alien, it introduced the xenomorph life cycle to an unsuspecting populace, and so on -- the second movie, ''Film/{{Aliens}}'', is widely [[ContestedSequel (though not universally)]] regarded as a better film. It also benefited from a Genre Shift from straight up Horror to Action Horror, which meant that instead of suffering from {{Sequelitis}}, ''Aliens'' was able to do things its own way.

* The third ''Literature/HarryPotter'' book, ''Literature/HarryPotterAndThePrisonerOfAzkaban'', is generally seen as the best, or at least better than the first two. Same with the movie adaptation (see Films - Live Action above).

* The third ''Literature/HarryPotter'' book, ''Literature/HarryPotterAndThePrisonerOfAzkaban'', is generally seen as the best, or at least better than the first two.

* ''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 fame of the third film has outstripped the first two by so much that many viewers aren't even aware it's part of a trilogy.

Compare SequelDisplacement, SequelEscalation and MorePopularSpinoff. Contrast ContestedSequel, {{Sequelitis}} and SophomoreSlump.

Compare SequelDisplacement, SequelEscalation, and MorePopularSpinoff. Contrast ContestedSequel, {{Sequelitis}}, and SophomoreSlump.

Compare SequelDisplacement, SequelEscalation, MorePopularSpinoff. Contrast ContestedSequel, {{Sequelitis}}, SophomoreSlump.

** ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'' has its strong points, but it's generally seen as a step down from ''Film/TheAvengers2012'', which was a ToughActToFollow. In particular, many reviewers criticized its overly complex plot, its [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters over-abundance of new characters]] (not all of whom were properly developed), and its occasionally [[MoodWhiplash uneven blend of drama and comedy]], as well as a few overlong action sequences that lacked any real pathos. ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'' is considered an improvement in every conceivable way, with many critics calling it one of the greatest superhero films ''ever''. It boasts a tighter plot, a stronger villain, and more epic action sequences; it manages to effectively juggle ''dozens'' of superheroes in the same cast, and it's all capped off by [[spoiler:[[TheBadGuyWins an emotional gut-punch of an ending]] that ''nobody'' saw coming]]. ''Film/AvengersEndgame'' shattered everyone's expectations all over again, ending with a GrandFinale to end all {{Grand Finale}}s.[[note]] Note that this is partly due to a talent shakeup at Marvel Studios: Creator/JossWhedon directed the first two ''Avengers'' films, but frequently had to deal with ExecutiveMeddling by Marvel's infamous "creative committee". After he declined to return, he was replaced by Creator/TheRussoBrothers who only had to answer to Creator/KevinFeige following Disney restructuring the company.[[/note]]

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. Or it's simply that their first album was produced cheaply: all in one take using cheap instruments and cheap equipment. If a label isn't sure that a musician is a good investment, they aren't going to give him/her the best stuff to work with. A successful first album can mean access to better equipment, an instrument upgrade and getting more studio time: all of which can contribute to the second album just having better quality sound and therefore being better, even if it's essentially the same as the first one.

* For the third ''Film/HarryPotter'' film, ''[[Film/HarryPotterAndThePrisonerOfAzkaban The Prisoner of Azkaban]]'', Chris Columbus left the series and auteur Alfonso Cuarón stepped in. The end result is a film that many critics consider far more mature and stylized than the [[TheFilmOfTheBook by-the-book]] adaptation approach of the first two films.

** ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'' is generally considered the best of the prequels, although that's not saying much.