5 Underrated Horror Sequels You Didn't Know Existed But Need To Watch
Horror movies can impact cinema in ways that no one could ever suspect. From The Exorcist (1973) to Jaws, Hollywood would be nothing without horror. Its sequels, on the other hand, often fail to live up to expectations.
That said, for every bad horror sequel, there are others that deliver and deserve some love for what they offer. Whether it’s another killer shark or a long-dormant slasher clawing to the surface, here are five underrated horror sequels you should check out on Prime Video, fuboTV, and more!
There is something so utterly chilling about The Omen franchise that started with Richard Donner’s original, and to see the life of Damian from child to teenager and finally an adult is deceptively engaging. The Omen trilogy sees Damian embrace his role as the Antichrist, and Omen III: The Final Conflict (1981) is an effective finale, to say the least.
Sam Neill delivers an impressive performance as the adult Antichrist and is genuinely creepy as he fights to stop the birth of the second coming of Christ by any means. It’s easily the darkest entry in the trilogy, and what makes it underrated are the stakes. If you loved the Omen films, don’t let the critics fool you; this is a must-see finale.
Twenty-three years after Alfred Hitchcock terrified audiences with Psycho (1960), Psycho II (1983) picks up around the same time with Norman Bates cured of the mental illness that turned him into a serial killer. But when he returns to his home, he finds things have changed, and the voices of Mother have come back.
Psycho II didn’t get the same love as the original, but it’s a truly cerebral horror sequel that plays on the idea that maybe Norman is losing his mind, even though it’s entirely possible he isn’t. But rather than play into the simple tropes that sequels often do, this one gives a fitting but sad ending that fans of the original film will appreciate. Plus, Anthony Perkins gives yet another amazing performance as Norman. If you loved Psycho, then Psycho II is mandatory viewing.
Sleepaway Camp was an ‘80s slasher that was ahead of its time and had a twist ending that no one could have possibly seen coming. But, as many sequels came after it, they all failed to capture what made the original a perfect summer slasher. Return to Sleepaway Camp (2008), while not a critical darling, was a perfect follow-up.
With a simple premise of a camp in which murders are happening left and right, the brutality and the fun of the original film remains. But, once again, it’s the twist ending and the return of Felissa Rose as Angela Baker that makes Return to Sleepaway Camp worth it. If you loved the original, this underrated sequel is the only necessary follow-up.
No one can question the impact that Steven Spielberg’s Jaws had on horror in 1975. By any right, no sequel could ever measure up, and ultimately none did. That said, Jaws 2 (1978) is a totally fair sequel in which, years after the first film, Chief Brody and his sons must contend with another Great White Shark.
Jaws 2 may be the first big-budget mid-creature feature, but it still has a lot of heart thanks to Roy Scheider as Chief Brody. It’s a movie that doesn’t try to surpass the original but nonetheless delivers a solid film in the process. It’s hard to find a good and fun shark movie, but Jaws 2 balances both and is a genuinely worthy follow-up that everyone should see.
The Exorcist (1973) is possibly the greatest horror film ever made. Its sequel? Not so much. But The Exorcist III (1990) stands out as something different that makes it worthy of comparison to the original in almost every way. A supernatural true crime film, The Exorcist III connects the dots of the original and scares audiences in a totally new way.
The Exorcist III didn’t need to succeed as it did. But it was the mix of great performances, a gripping story, and a perfect jump scare that made it a must-watch. Regardless of whether you love or hate The Exorcist, The Exorcist III is still a worthy sequel to watch.
