Movie sequels in general don't get much respect from the general public, but there is surely more cynicism when it comes to horror continuations. Of course, the genre has its fair share of sequels that are either plain cash grabs or totally unnecessary.
In some cases, there are horror movies where the sequel is better than people let on. There might even be those rarities that are superior to their predecessors. Right now on Amazon Prime Video, horror enthusiasts can stream these 10 underrated horror sequels.
Bloody Murder 2: Closing Camp (2003)
The poorly-received, 2000 straight-to-video slasher Bloody Murder is not renowned in the horror community. It's deservedly written off as a poor man's Friday the 13th. However, director Rob Spera surprised everyone with this rectifying sequel. It's not a work of art, but it's an admirable patch on the original.
In Closing Camp, the sister of a victim from the previous massacre at Camp Placid Pines becomes a summer counselor five years later. The legend of Trevor Moorhouse is still in place; the killings begin again.
When a Stranger Calls Back (1993)
A young woman babysitting in an unknown house is toyed with by a man outside asking for help. When she realizes he means her harm, the babysitter escapes only to endure her tormentor's crime years later. In college, the same woman is helped out by a guidance counselor who so happened to experience a similar trauma when she was younger.
The made-for-cable sequel to Fred Walton's 1979 cult film When a Stranger Calls is an improvement in many ways. Rather than focusing on the killer, the second installment gives more deserving attention to the victims.
The Strangers: Prey At Night (2018)
The home-invasion horror classic The Strangers was a game changer. It's frequently cited as one of the best horror movies in the last twenty years. That's a formidable reputation that makes it hard for any sequel to live up to. Prey at Night missed its window, but that doesn't mean it's misguided either. There are some great set pieces in this slasher.
In the sequel, a family of four finds themselves stalked by the infamous masked killers when they move into a mobile home park.
Pet Sematary Two (1992)
Some sequels are hated more than others like Pet Sematary Two, a followup that gets much heat. Although it shares the same director as the original (Mary Lambert), viewers and critics feel as if this one didn't live up to the sequel. That being said, the Gothic imagery shouldn't be ignored, nor should Clancy Brown's lively performance.
In the second movie, a widower moves to Ludlow with his troubled son. The boy stumbles upon the notorious pet graveyard and trouble ensues again.
Return of the Living Dead 3 (1993)
George A. Romero's 1968 zombie movie Night of the Living Dead is considered the best in its league. Very few people will argue that. That doesn't mean there isn't room for other horror movies about the walking dead. The Return of the Living Dead franchise began in the 1980s and continued well into the 2000s. The third entry is the only one from the 1990s, and it features the resurrection chemical Trioxin, too.
In this sequel directed by Brian Yuzna (Society), a young man uses the aforesaid chemical to revive his dead girlfriend. She then becomes a zombie who fights to resist her hunger. Unlike the first two movies, this one is notably angst-ridden.
Stepfather II (1989)
With the success of the 1987 domestic horror movie The Stepfather, it's no shocker a sequel was made. In fact, there were two. The 1989 movie has Terry O'Quinn reprising his role as Jerry Blake, the serial killer who inserts himself into families before murdering them. Jerry escapes custody and continues his maniacal spree with a new set of victims: a mother and her son.
This one was panned, as was the third film. In a pinch, though, they'll do just fine for anyone wanting quick-serve thrills.
I Spit on Your Grave III: Vengeance Is Mine (2015)
With or without Prime Video, IMDb TV users can view the second sequel in the 2010s I Spit on Your Grave franchise for free. It also free on Tubi and Vudu right now.
This controversial series of films depicts women being horribly violated by men before the victims take revenge. I Spit on Your Grave III: Vengeance Is Mine continues the story from the 2010 movie. Jennifer (now Angela) is trying to move on from her ordeal; she has a new job and she's attending group counseling. Yet, when Angela learns her fellow victims are still being mistreated, she becomes a vigilante.
This film is unique for straying from scenes that physically exploit women. It's honestly more akin to movies like Death Wish.
Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning (1985)
Even fans of the Friday the 13th franchise have trouble digesting A New Beginning. They accuse it of being a sleazy slasher with too much sex and a traitorous ending. In many ways, however, the movie oozes personality, albeit a questionable one, and echoes the punchline of the original.
In A New Beginning, a survivor from the previous film is sent to stay at a mental health center in the middle of nowhere. Eventually, he starts to question his mind when he sees Jason Voorhees everywhere. It doesn't help that a string of murders starts up at the same time.
The Descent Part 2 (2009)
The Descent is a beloved modern horror movie. It goes down as a fan-favorite for so many people. In it, a group of British women visit an unexplored cave system in the U.S. When they get lost down there, they encounter ravenous, cave-dwelling creatures. In the sequel, the first film's survivor is brought back to the cave to uncover what really happened.
Part 2 has some drops in logic and storytelling that don't sit well with audiences, and the creatures' redesign is disappointing. Neil Marshall (Dog Soldiers) is only an executive producer here while the first film's editor, Jon Harris, serves as the director.
Still and all, the sequel is serviceable, claustrophobic creature terror that relies more on action than drama.
The Exorcist III (1990)
It's difficult to measure up to the stature of William Friedkin's 1973 movie The Exorcist. That movie is important to multiple generations of horror fans. Exorcist II: The Heretic is disregarded for a number of reasons; it's ignored in The Exorcist III. Today, viewers have come around to this 1990 movie. William Peter Blatty, who wrote the novel the flagship movie is based on, took over as director.
In The Exorcist III, Lieutenant William F. Kinderman from the '73 movie is trailing a serial killer whose style matches that of the Gemini, who has been dead for fifteen years.
Due to behind-the-scenes drama, there are different versions of the film. The director's cut is said to be the one closest to Batty's intended vision.