Sometimes the origin story is even better than the original–and that’s especially the case for these awesome prequel movies.
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Updated 9 months ago,August 4, 2024
While Hollywood typically prefers to craft sequels to their mainstream properties, theres something positive to be said about prequel films as well.
Rather than following up on the immediate action of its predecessor, prequels add a new layer of depth to the pre-existing stories that came before it.
The Godfather Part II / Rogue One
Outfitting some of its series main characters with a nuanced backstory reflecting their past, present, and future selves, these movies have that rare ability to enrich the original film preceding it, all the while succeeding as its own self-contained narrative.
From awe-inspiring sci-fi films to hair-raising psychological horror movies, these prequel films remain some of the best the film industry has ever produced, earning standout attention for their succinct stories, riveting action, and the newfound depth they bring to their franchises fictional universe.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
One of the latest prequels to capture audiences attention,Furiosa: A Mad Max Sagasomehow managed to do the unthinkable, delivering an action film as singularly terrific asMad Max: Fury Road.
Constructing a balanced character study around Charlize Theron/Anya Taylor-Joys grizzled main character,Furiosaillustrated how much potential there is for futureMad Max-related stories, proving once again how brilliant a filmmaker George Miller truly is.
The Godfather Part II (1974)
A sequelanda prequel wrapped into one epic film,The Godfather Part IItraces Michaels continuing descent into a life of crime, concluding his narrative arc from a sweet-natured young man into the merciless head of his own Mafia empire.
Sprinkled throughout Michaels story, director Francis Ford Coppola also chronicles his father Vitos similar first steps into the criminal lifestyle, taking him on a journey from a poverty-stricken immigrant into the legendary don of New York City.
Warner Bros.
Commonly considered a classic of American cinema, each story presented inThe Godfather Part IIcompliments one another in a pitch-perfect, satisfactory manner.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
As most fans will readily point out, George Lucass Prequel Trilogy came riddled with some glaringly obvious flaws, from the films hamfisted scripts and over-reliance on CGI to its slower-paced storylines and somewhat questionable acting performances.
Rather than falling into the same pitfalls as the Prequels, Rogue One: A Star Wars Storystruck a fine balance between practical and state-of-the-art digital effects, using both to recreate the atmosphere of the Original Trilogy.
Paramount Pictures
By doing so, Disney ensured an unforgettable sci-fi epic every bit as good asA New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back,orReturn of the Jedi(which is certainly saying something).
Pearl (2022)
Slasher movies arent exactly known for their headier atmosphere, with many of them preferring to prioritize violence and lewd subject matter over a central story or stronger characters.
A24sX, on the other hand, subverted these typical genre flaws, opting for a more intelligent presentation of the slasher film that paid ample homage to its stylistic influences.
Walt Disney
As withXbefore it,Pearlcarries on Wests ability to craft meticulous character studies around the films lead protagonists, providing a disquieting analysis of fame, family, and burgeoning psychopathy from the point of view of Mia Goths eponymous Pearl.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
The third act in Sergio Leones laudedDollars Trilogy, The Good, the Bad and the Uglyremains that rare film that manages to top each movie that came before it.
Perhaps the greatest Spaghetti Western in the genres history, Leone upped the ante when it came to his 1966 masterpiece, dovetailing an operatic soundtrack from the legendary Ennio Morricone with a sweeping story of revenge, war, and tenuous partnerships built on mutual mistrust.
A24
Nearly 60 years later, most audiencesstillconsiderThe Good, the Bad and the Uglythe finest Western ever produced, accounting for its iconic reputation today.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
Yes, technicallyRise of the Planet of the Apesserves as more of a reboot than an outright prequel film.
No matter how you choose to describe it, though, theres no refuting that this 2011 sci-fi film revitalized the waningPlanet of the Apesseries, ushering in a renaissance period for the once revolutionaryApesfranchise.
United Artists
Providing a deeper explanation regarding humanitys fall and the apes rapid evolution,Rise of the Planet of the Apesadded a fresh new spin on the chronological timeline of theApesuniverse, leading to several worthwhile sequels inDawn, War,andKingdom of the Planet of the Apes.
20th Century Fox
