From the likes ofThe Great Train Robbery(1903) andThe Mask of Zorro(1920) to current-day blockbusters,actionmovies have always been a big draw for moviegoers worldwide, and a successful franchise can mean big bucks for a studio.Fast & Furious,Mission: Impossible, andTransformersare some well-known action franchises set to release new instalments in the near future. Unfortunately, recognizing the potential to make a quick buck, studios have often focused on quantity over quality, rushing sequels, spin-offs, and reboots to market without paying any mind to script quality. More recently, we’ve seen an influx of “legacy sequels.”
A legacy sequel is a sequel to a well-known film or film franchise that continues the story multiple years (even decades) after the last entry. They tend to bring in new characters alongside appearances from the original cast, aiming to bridge the gap between generations by blending nostalgia with fresh perspectives. While this concept sounds good in theory, there are many ways it can stumble and fail. It needs to acknowledge previous lore, capture the spirit of the original, and add new multi-dimensional characters and a story worth telling.
Below, we’ve identified 10 action legacy sequels that avoid the aforementioned pitfalls and were, in fact, well worth the wait.
10’Live Free or Die Hard' (2007)
The firstDie Hardmovie isquite possibly the most beloved action movieof all time and was followed by two solid sequels. Fast forward 12 years, and the franchise was resurrected once again. Against all odds (considering the time that had passed), another decent movie made its way into the series withLive Free or Die Hard, featuring intense action sequences and an impressive performance by Bruce Willis.
‘Live Free or Die Hard’ Is the Best Since the Original
Based on Rotten Tomatoes,Live Free or Die Hardholds a highly impressive approval rating of 82%—slotting it above the second and thirdDie Hardmovies in terms of critical performance, with many arguing that the movie benefited from technological advancements, making for some of the most heart-pounding, high-octane action sequences ever committed to film.
9’Rambo' (2008)
The first threeRambomovies were huge hits and, along with the earlyRockymovies,helped cement Sylvester Stalloneas one of the world’s biggest action stars. The series follows Vietnam vet John Rambo as he’s pulled into various violent conflicts and forced to resort to extreme brutality and survival tactics to survive.
Rambo Amped Up the Brutality
After 30 years of laying low, John Rambo returned to the big screen in 2008—more deadly than ever. Set during the brutal Burmese civil war, where the rape, torture, and mass murder of civilians were rife,Rambois at his most raw and feral.
While many found Rambo’s violence to be too over the top, fans of more extreme cinema were ecstatic to see him hacking, slashing, and blowing off limbs, heads, and torsos with a machine gun. The movie was so bloody that some critics went as far as to label it “torture porn,” but for those who always enjoyed the more violent aspects of the franchise, it was the perfect return for the iconic character.
8’Universal Soldier: Regeneration' (2010)
At the time of its release,Universal Soldierwas widely dismissed by many as a mindless action movie—little more than a cheapTerminatorclone—but it quickly garnered a cult following who appreciated its B-movie sensibilities and balls-to-the-wall action. As a result, a further three sequels were released in the ’90s, to varying levels of critical and commercial success.
‘Universal Soldier: Regeneration’ Sees the Return of Van Damme and Lundgren
After an 11-year hiatus,Universal Soldier: Regenerationbrought the original stars Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren back into the fold (the first time both had starred together in the franchise since the first movie). The result is a dark, gritty, sci-fi action romp that arguably supersedes even the original in all-out B-movie and exploitation madness.
7’TRON: Legacy' (2010)
The originalTronis one of the most culturally impactful sci-fi movies of all time, and twenty-eight long years after the groundbreaking original,TRON: Legacyhit theaters, bringing viewers back into the virtual reality grid. This time around, we bear witness to Sam Flynn as he searches the digital landscape for his missing father and original creator ofTron, Kevin Flynn.
‘TRON: Legacy’ Delivers Breathtaking Visuals Soundtracked by the Iconic Daft Punk
The movie was lauded for its cinematography and stunning visual effects, especially its grid sequences, which were fully shot in 3D using cameras specifically designed for it. Despite its sky-high budget of around $170 million, the movie was still a box office success, grossing over $400 million. Its soundtrack, scored by Daft Punk, incorporated their trademark electronic dance style music coupled with occasional orchestral elements. It is a particular highlight, perfectly capturing the retro magic of the original while giving it a contemporary twist.
Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, played by Will Smith and Martin Lawrence respectively, first came into the public consciousness way back in 1995 after the release of the Michael Bay-directed blockbuster hitBad Boys. The movie elevated Smith from a sitcom actor and Lawrence from a stand-up comedian, cementing them as certified Hollywood megastars.
Boys to Men
Playing to the franchise’s strengths,Bad Boys for Lifeis full of explosive gunfights, high-speed car chases,and crude humor, but there’s also a refreshing sense of maturity. Throughout the series, audiences have witnessed the two jump from one perilous, high-octane adventure to another. With a 17-year gap betweenBad Boys 2andBad Boys for Life, it makes sense that, as the actors have aged, so have the characters. This maturity is reflected in Marcus’s reluctance to engage in certain risky behavior and Mike’s dyeing of his goatee (as facetiously pointed out by Marcus). This results in the inclusion of some more tender and heartfelt moments that were absent from the original two.
5’Jurassic World' (2015)
Directed by the legendary Steven Spielberg and starring Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, and Sam Neill, it’s hard to believe thatJurassic Parkis over 30 years old. At the time of its release, it quickly became the highest-grossing movie of all time—a record it held until 1997’sTitanic. Its sci-fi story of dinosaur chaos was captivating and compelling, the acting was top-notch, and the effects were utterly jaw-dropping and groundbreaking. The movie was followed by two sequels in the ’90s, which both failed to recapture the magic of the original… then there was silence.
‘Jurassic World’ Saved the Franchise from Extinction
After nearly 15 years of dormancy, theJurassic Parkfranchise was all but extinct beforeJurassic Worldcame roaring onto our screens. Following a similar formula to the original, it took everything that made the classic such a hit—and amped it up. The park was bigger, the dinosaurs were bigger,and the box office numbers were bigger. With a new cast featuring Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, the movie broke all manner of box office records, landing it among the highest-grossing movies of all time.
4’Blade Runner 2049' (2017)
The originalBlade Runneris now considered one of the most beloved and important movies in the sci-fi genre and was instrumental in shaping both the neo-noir and cyberpunk genres. However, at the time of its release, it failed to even make back its production, marketing, and distribution costs at the box office.
Similarly,Blade Runner 2049flopped at the box office despite receiving high praise from critics, but it has slowly been picking up fans in its post-theater life cycle and is now a certified cult classic, beloved by fans of the sci-fi genre.
Like Its Predecessor, ‘Blade Runner 2049’ Bombed at the Box Office
Released a full 35 years after the groundbreaking original,Blade Runner 2049sees Ryan Gosling taking on the lead role as K, a “blade runner” who uncovers a secret that threatens to destabilize society and the course of civilization. Elsewhere, Harrison Ford and Edward James Olmos reprise their roles from the previous film as Rick Deckard and Gaff, respectively.
The dystopian urban setting is visually stunning and bleakly beautiful, the story is thought-provoking and engaging, the cinematography is jaw-dropping, and the performances are solid—giving fans of the original everything they could have ever dreamed of in a legacy sequel.
3’Creed' (2015)
When it comes to movies about sport, theRockyseries is, without a doubt, the most beloved in the genre. But six movies and nearly 30 years later, it seemed that the saga of Rocky Balboa had finally come to a satisfactory conclusion after its gracious bow out with 2006’s acclaimedRocky Balboa.
There Was Still Fight in the Franchise Yet
After lying dormant for nearly 10 years, many thought the towel had been thrown in. That was until the release ofCreed, which proved there was still fight in the franchise—and the gloves hadn’t been hung up quite yet. Serving as a spin-off and a legacy sequel, it focuses on amateur boxer Adonis Creed, who is trained and mentored by Rocky Balboa, the former rival-turned-friend of Adonis' father, Apollo Creed.
Creedpacked one heck of a punch, proving to be a huge critical and commercial hit, scoring a near-perfect 95% on Rotten Tomatoes (topping even the original’s 93%). Critics loved the new direction and praised Michael B. Jordan’s powerful performance as Creed, as well as the emotionally resonant storyline. The movie was followed byCreed IIandCreed III, which evoked similar reactions from both audiences and critics.
2’Top Gun: Maverick' (2022)
Despite mixed reviews from critics, audiences—enamored with its fast-paced action, Oscar-winning soundtrack, and compelling storyline—went to watchTop Gunin droves, making it the highest-grossing movie of 1986. Cementing its lead, Tom Cruise, as one of the world’s biggest stars, he spent much of the following decades busy in other high-profile projects includingA Few Good Men,Jerry Maguire,War of the Worlds, and a slew ofMission: Impossiblemovies, seemingly puttingTop Gunfirmly in his past.
‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Is Equal Parts Action, Nostalgia, and Emotion
Over 30 years since the original, Tom Cruise shocked the world in 2017 when he announced that a sequel was in the works. The result: 2022’sTop Gun: Maverick, an action masterpiece that exceeded all expectations both commercially and critically. The movie wowed audiences and critics alike, bringing back everything that made the original so enjoyable, while adding a more emotionally resonant storyline that sees the evolution of Maverick from the cocky hotshot of the original into a more weathered, wiser, and vulnerable character. Val Kilmer’s return as Iceman feels particularly emotional—especially the interactions with Maverick and his son, Rooster—made all the more poignant considering Kilmer was struggling with cancer at the time of filming and has since passed.
Starring a then-unknown Mel Gibson, the originalMad Maxmovie was a phenomenal success. Set in the post-apocalyptic wastelands of the Australian outback and made on a shoestring budget of just a few hundred thousand dollars, it raked in over $100 million at the box office and has been largely credited with opening up the global market to Australian New Wave films. It was followed by two sequels released in 1981 and 1985, respectively. While both films—which saw Gibson reprising his role as the titular Max—were critically acclaimed, they failed to have the same impact at the box office and seemingly marked the end of the franchise.
After 30 long years,Mad Max: Fury Roadresurrected the franchisewith almighty gusto, delivering one of the most heart-pounding, high-octane action experiences the world had ever seen. Gone was the low-budget grit of the original; instead, an estimated budget of around $170 million was assigned to making a sleek and exhilarating blockbuster experience, dripping with visual effects and cinematic flair. The movie was a huge hit, both critically and commercially.
