When it comes to sequels, many of them continue what was successful about the original movie, but when comes to comedies, it can be so easy to ruin what made the original great, and truly great comedy sequels a rare breed. In a sea of subpar cash-in sequels, a decent one is extremely hard to come by.
However, great comedy sequels are still out there, and though it may cause frustration combing through catalogs of movies just to find them, sometimes it can be more than worth it. Along with the instant classic 22 Jump Street, these self-referential, ridiculously conceptual sequels are far better than their predecessors.
Jackass 3D (2010)
Of all of the high concept sci-fi movies, CGI covered Transformers movies, and relentless superhero flicks, who would have thought that the franchise to make the best use of 3D in the 2010s would be Jackass? Jackass 3D is a sensational sequel that switches between staged stunts and the veteran jokers pulling pranks on each other. The movie doesn’t get old and it’s far superior to the original Jackass movie.
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)
As Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues came a whole nine years after the original, there was certainly cause for concern. However, thanks to it taking place during a new decade and the transition into 24-hour news, the movie was just as fresh as its predecessor. Not to mention the war that takes place between all of the networks, which makes the battle in the original movie look like child’s play. Though Anchorman 2 is hilarious, it’s still one of the movies where its blooper reel is funnier than the actual movie.
22 Jump Street (2014)
As 22 Jump Street quickly capitalized on the supreme success of the first movie, as the sequel was released within just two years, the self-aware comedy had a narrative that was almost identical to the original, but that didn’t stop people from loving it more.
The movie made Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum one of the best on-screen duos ever, and though there were a lot of sequels teased in the post-credits scene, we’re still holding out that we’ll see a proper sequel someday.
Austin Powers In Goldmember (2002)
The Austin Powers series not only has some great sequels, but it’s low key one of the best movie trilogies ever. Though great movie sequels are a rare breed, Mike Myers had perfected it, as Wayne’s World 2 is brilliant and Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me is just as great as the original, but Austin Powers In Goldmember is the gold standard. What tips Goldmember over the edge above all else is that it has so many great cameos.
Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)
Though the original Gremlins movie isn’t really a comedy, its sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, went full satire, completely making fun of itself, other movies, and even Donald Trump. It was one of the funniest movies of 1990 and how this bizarre film ever got greenlit in the first place is bewildering. Surprisingly enough, even director Joe Dante prefers the sequel to the original, which is one of the interesting behind the scenes facts about the movie.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is arguably the perfect Christmas movie, as it has all the traditional tropes of what makes a classic Christmas movie, but it flips them all on their heads as Clark, played incredibly by Chevy Chase falls into a fit of insanity as one thing goes wrong after the next.
Though the original National Lampoon’s Vacation remains a classic to this day, its successor is one of the most beloved Christmas movies ever made.
Harold and Kumar Got To Guantanamo Bay (2008)
With the first Harold and Kumar movie following a couple of stoners on their journey to fulfill their munchie needs by going to White Castle, the follow up has a much higher concept. Being strangely politically charged, Harold And Kumar Go To Guantanamo Bay follow the two stoners in the attempt to escape the notorious prison, and in all of its controversial glory, it vastly improves on the original.
Jackass 2 (2006)
This might seem like a strange comparison to make, but Jackass 2 is The Dark Knight of the Jackass trilogy, as it builds on the foundation of the first movie and is still better than the ambitious final movie. With Jackass 2, the pranksters had bigger death wishes than ever, as it saw Johnny Knoxville almost break his neck after being hit by a bull, and then almost getting shot in the chest by a rocket.
Clerks II (2006)
The original Clerks is a cult classic and put Kevin Smith on the map. It started a whole array of movies based in the same universe long before Marvel made that cool. 12 years after its release, the celebrated director and famous podcaster released Clerks II, and with the prestige and rolodex of contacts he earned in that 12 years, Smith filled the movie to the brim with cameos. Despite the acclaim of the original, against all odds, the sequel turned out better.
Evil Dead II (1987)
Similar to the first Gremlins movie, the original Evil Dead, released in 1981, wasn’t necessarily a comedy. It did have several funny parts, but it wasn’t as overtly funny as its follow up, Evil Dead II. The second movie isn’t only funnier, but it’s better too, as it follows the chainsaw-wielding Ash hilariously finds himself at war with his own hand. And it features one of the most surprising endings in movie history, which is one of the reasons why it’s one of Sam Raimi’s best movies.