Because prequels and sequels rarely hold a candle to the original property, they aren't always embraced by longtime fans with open arms. Still, sometimes, and especially these days, with thoughtful writing, suitable casting, and a story that feels earned, we've had some success in ensuring that prequels and sequels can be excellent additions to the films and TV shows we grew up loving. For instance, despite how long it's been and how drastically things have changed, Freakier Friday (2025), the Freaky Friday (2003) sequel, has garnered favorable critical reception and a decent box office gross. The same can also be said for Happy Gilmore 2 (2025).
From It: Welcome to Derry (2025) to the Practical Magic (1998) sequel, here are some of the most exciting announcements we have, and why fans are eagerly awaiting their releases in theaters or on platforms like HBO Max.
It: Welcome to Derry (2025-Present)
Whether a horror fan or not, chances are cinephiles and even casual movie fans have heard the name It. We're all aware of Stephen King's killer clown to some degree and its tremendous popularity from the Tim Curry IT (1990) adaptation to the most recent release, It: Chapter Two (2019). And when a lore is this prevalent and expansive, possibilities of more stories to tell are endless, which is why the newest series set to release, It: Welcome to Derry, is so highly anticipated by fans.
The prequel series is set 27 years before the events of the film, taking characters to 1962 and allowing more room to expand the history in a matter that'll touch on various small beats from the novel. Plus, Bill Skarsgård returns as Pennywise, and the actor's deliciously sinister performance as the infamous clown is enough reason for horror fans to be pumped.
Practical Magic 2 (2026)
Returning to the world of magic and reuniting with the Owens sisters, played by Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman still feels so surreal to think about. As one of the coziest movies to curl up with during the fall season, the impact the original film has had on thousands of women is indescribable. For many of us millennials, they were the first real introduction to witches outside of Hocus Pocus (1993), and the bonus of a romance sprinkled throughout the story has allowed it to become a cultural phenomenon.
The original movie is so perfect that while we don't actually need a sequel, fans are freaking out regardless to see where our favorite sisters and their daughters will be in Practical Magic 2. The chemistry between Bullock and Kidman is also a comforting piece of nostalgia that millennial women especially appreciate, so seeing them reunite on our screens is enough reason to start counting down to the release.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026)
Like Practical Magic 2, The Devil Wears Prada 2 feels like a sequel we've been constantly yearning for without even realizing it. The film's impact on fashion, and its widely quotable dialogue still lives rent-free in so many of our minds, making it all the more exciting that we'll likely get more meme-worthy content to fixate on. In addition, as a movie from the early 2000s with a plethora of nostalgia, the original cast returning is precisely what makes it so exciting.
A sequel like The Devil Wears Prada 2 would be utterly unwanted without Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci attached to the project. The stars are a large part of the original film's appeal, and it's wanting to see them reunite that makes the sequel so anticipated. Plus, the sequel will also include Bridgerton (2020) fan-favorite star, Simone Ashley, and as an actress who's also an undeniable fashion icon today, I'd tune in solely just for her.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight (2026)
Viewers might always have conflicting feelings about Game of Thrones (2011) and the final season, but the fantasy world inspired by George R. R. Martin's novels are still one that's mostly loved. Plus, because a prequel like House of the Dragon (2022) is pretty incredible and adds to the lore, it makes it easier to welcome all prequels and sequels within. The latest, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, will serve as another prequel to the original series, and the logline alone is enough reason to get excited: "A century before the events of Game of Thrones, two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros."
When it comes to the world of Game of Thrones, it's much easier to invest in prequels because we know what's coming. It surprisingly allows viewers to watch the show without the added mystery of the Iron Throne. Plus, this specific cast looks like they'll each deliver something thrilling and maybe even give us more controversial ships to invest in. Because, really, this is Game of Thrones and anything goes.
Elle (2026)
With a majority of the prequels and sequels announced, much of the fan excitement is because of the returning cast members. However, with Elle, a lot of it is also due to the story itself. Remakes of Legally Blonde (2001) didn't work because it's a film that shouldn't be touched in any sequel form, but a prequel has the power to add layers and depth to an already beloved character.
The series might not involve Reese Witherspoon (though she is an executive producer), but Lexi Minetree can surely give us the embodiment necessary to showcase how we got to the events of the original film. Because we don't have too much insight into Elle Woods' upbringing when she was younger, it's easy to hope that the series can build a backstory that won't mess with the original. In addition, program creator Caroline Dries has worked on some fan-favorite series like The Vampire Diaries (2009), so that can bring in some teen nostalgia, too.
Zootopia 2 (2025)
Zootopia (2016) was one of the biggest surprises from Disney, and it's a film that's so perfect on its own, we really didn't need a sequel. However, judging by the trailers, Zootopia 2 seems like it'll bring in more romance, and if that's not something fans are excited about then I don't know what it is. The chemistry between Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde shouldn't have been as great as it was, but count on Disney to always bring in the animals with swagger. (Also see, Thomas O'Malley from The Aristocats (1970).)
But that's not all, the original film does such a brilliant job of exploring real world matters through an easily consumable lens for kids that it's going to be so thrilling to see what topics they tackle with the sequel. Thus far, Disney sequels are usually a hit, so it's easy to bank on this one being as exceptional as the original.
