Alongside their stylistic counterpart in sequels, crafting a worthwhile prequel remains a difficult feat within the larger film industry.
Providing origin stories for a movie’s background and central characters, prequels have the ability to enrich the original movie they precede, adding a whole new depth and dimension to the movie’s characters, story, and canonical setting.
While decent prequels remain scarce within the context of pop culture, some memorable prequels have managed to dazzle and delight viewers in the same manner as their thematic precursors — sometimes even surpassing the quality of the initial movie they follow.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
The idea of a Mad Max spin-off built around Fury Road’s Furiosa (Charlize Theron) seemed promising enough on paper, but the finished product blew everyone’s expectations out of the water with 2024’s Furiosa.
A riveting origin story for Theron’s tough-talking, metallic-armed road warrior, Furiosa continues Fury Road’s trend of larger-than-life action sequences that leave viewers on the edge of their seat. With a magnetic Anya Taylor-Joy taking over the title role, what follows stands tall as one of the greatest post-apocalyptic action movies of the past decade (perhaps of all time).
The Godfather: Part II (1974)
At once a sequel and prequel rolled into one, The Godfather: Part II continues the narrative journey of Michael Corleone (Al Pacino), the troubled New York gangster who completes his descent into moral damnation.
While Michael’s story forms a central part of The Godfather: Part II, director Francis Ford Coppola contrasts Michael’s fall from grace by focusing on his father Vito’s (Robert De Niro) rise to power. A family drama on an almost Shakespearean scale, The Godfather: Part II remains a classic of American cinema for more than a few reasons (its supreme acting, writing, direction, and story in particular, among many other notable strengths).
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
The third and final entry in Sergio Leone’s fan-favorite Dollars Trilogy, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly somehow managed to supersede each of the original two installments that came before it.
Featuring a grander story and a poignant thematic study of the American Civil War, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly makes for that rare historical epic that never falls into boring territory. Throughout it all, Leone goes out of his way to outfit Clint Eastwood’s eponymous Man with No Name with some of his most defining characteristics–from his trademark green poncho to his disdain when it comes to working alongside a partner.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
More of a reboot than a direct prequel, Rise of the Planet of the Apes managed to breathe new life into the comatose Planet of the Apes franchise after the disappointment of Tim Burton’s 2001 remake.
Set thousands of years ahead of the original Apes movie, Rise of the Planet of the Apes focuses on the apocalyptic events that helped explain certain elements of the series’ continuity — such as where the apes’ intelligence came from and how human civilization ended in the first place. If nothing else, it also managed to kick off an incredible second act in the Apes’ franchise, as seen from its later sequels in Dawn, War, and — more recently — Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.
Pearl (2022)
Filmed back-to-back with 2022’s X, Pearl serves as a fascinating addition to the slasher genre, providing a feasible and thought–provoking origin story to Mia Goth’s geriatric serial killer in X.
Whereas most slasher prequels opt for a more visceral take on their lead characters, Pearl prioritizes story and substance over mere style, helping viewers sympathize with Pearl’s manic plight even as they recoil in horror at her monstrous actions.
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992)
Demolished by critics and mainstream audiences when it first debuted in 1992, most viewers now accept Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me as an integral addition to David Lynch’s filmography, with many fans mentioning it in the same breath as Eraserhead or Mulholland Drive as Lynch’s finest movie.
A continuation of the canceled-too-soon Twin Peaks TV series, Fire Walk with Me helped audiences gain a newfound understanding of Laura Palmer’s (Sheryl Lee) final days and the mystery surrounding her death. Referenced throughout Twin Peaks: The Return, it remains required viewing for anyone who hopes to understand Lynch and Mark Frost’s surreal horror universe.
X-Men: First Class (2011)
Few series have had as complicated a linear continuity as the initial X-Men universe. Hoping to tie together the disparate chronology of its universe into one neat timeline, X-Men: First Class also happened to produce one of the greatest entries in the X-Men franchise to date.
With James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender taking over the roles of a young Charles Xavier and Magneto, First Class shows off the close ties between these eventual arch-enemies, depicting their initial meeting up to their inevitable falling out with each other. A wonderful prequel to the original X-Men movies, it also serves as a more than satisfying standalone superhero movie in its own right.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
While three Star Wars prequels came before it, Rogue One continues to reign supreme as the single best addition to the Star Wars universe outside of the original sequels. Perhaps the finest Star Wars movie of the Disney era, Rogue One manages to capture the same tonal spirit as George Lucas’s first three Star Wars movies, right down to the plucky sense of desperation expressed by the Rebellion in their all-out war against the Empire.
A brilliant prequel movie disguised as a riveting space opera-themed espionage thriller, Rogue One also finds a way to explain a glaring contrivance dating back to A New Hope. Providing a rational explanation as to the Death Star’s massive structural weakness, Rogue One proves how beneficial prequels might appear when patching up logical inconsistencies in earlier canonical films.
Bumblebee (2018)
As a prequel film, Bumblebee accomplishes the unthinkable, transcending the popularity of its preceding films and earning acclaim as the best Transformers movie yet (although that accolade remains very obtainable given the mediocrity of the Transformers universe).
An ode to 1980s action movies, Bumblebee infuses comedy and action into one flavorful combination, allowing audiences to laugh even as they grip the arms of their seat in anticipation of the next big explosion.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
Though the weakest of the initial three Indiana Jones movies, fans continue to praise Temple of Doom for its sheer sense of creativity. Rather than attempting to recapture the same atmosphere as Raiders of the Lost Ark, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg chose to head into a new direction with this 1984 prequel.
Swapping in the light-hearted, swashbuckling tone of its predecessor in favor of a darker, grittier adventure movie, Temple of Doom marks the closest Lucas or Spielberg have ever come to making a full-blown horror movie. While a tad darker than most audiences might prefer, even the harshest critics can’t deny Temple of Doom’s persistent originality and unique characteristics.
Puss in Boots (2011)
We know him, we love him, we wanted to see a lot more of him–and with 2011’s Puss in Boots, we managed to get just that.
A rip-roaring adventure yarn that retained the signature comedic tone of the Shrek series, Puss in Boots served as the perfect continuation to DreamWorks’ flagship fantasy franchise.
Introducing memorable characters like Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek) and Humpty Alexander Dumpty (Zach Galifianakis), Puss in Boots makes for a film capable of entertaining the whole family. With buoyant comedy and gleaming visuals sprinkled throughout, most viewers will find nary a dull moment anywhere in this brisk 90-minute prequel film.
Monsters University (2013)
Like most Pixar sequels and prequels, fans approached 2013’s Monsters University with a degree of skepticism and hesitancy. After all, it seemed like it would take an otherwise fantastic movie to match the esteem of 2001’s Monsters, Inc.
While the finished film doesn’t rise to the same heights as its predecessor, Monsters University still delivers a fantastic addition to the growing Monsters universe. A humorous and light-hearted origin story focused on the initial meeting, rivalry, and friendship between Sully (John Goodman) and Mike (Billy Crystal), Monsters University compliments the original entry in the series in every way, including plenty of tie-ins to the first Monsters, Inc.
Prey (2022)
As with most mainstream action franchises, the Predator series had never seen a phenomenal sequel prior to 2022, with each Predator film that followed the original leaving a bitter taste in most fans’ mouths. Then along came Prey, supporting the idea that a creative filmmaker could make a decent Predator sequel — or, in this case, a prequel.
Set 200 years before the events of the first Predator, Prey details the desperate battle for survival between a young Comanche warrior (Amber Midthunder) and a hulking extraterrestrial hunter who preys on humans for sport. Without a doubt the best Predator sequel yet, Prey makes ample use of its distinct historical setting, emphasizing atmosphere and setting over flashy visuals and explosive action.
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
While more nostalgic fans have warmed up to George Lucas’s Prequel Trilogy, criticisms continue to abound surrounding the trilogy’s initial two installments with The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. Revenge of the Sith, on the other hand, manages to surpass the limits of its preceding chapters, standing on the strength of its own individual merits.
A remarkable final act in Anakin Skywalker’s (Hayden Christiansen) fall to the Dark Side, Revenge of the Sith also does a fine job showing the last stages of the Clone Wars and the beginning of the Galactic Empire. Though slowed by some sluggish pacing here and there, the movie’s second half more than redeems Revenge of the Sith’s meager weaknesses, setting up the events of the Original Trilogy with brilliant foresight and persistent creativity.
Infernal Affairs II (2003)
In some key ways, Infernal Affairs II seems like the perfect prologue to 2002’s Infernal Affairs, bleeding into the narrative events of the original film with clarity and ease.
Set some years before Infernal Affairs, Infernal Affairs II traces how each lead character (Andy Lau and Tony Leung) found their way into their individual career paths, as well as how they managed to infiltrate their respective organizations in the first place.
A masterful crime film that complimented the earlier Infernal Affairs in every conceivable way, Infernal Affairs II (and Infernal Affairs III, for that matter) makes for an engrossing character study the likes of which audiences won’t ever forget seeing.
The First Omen (2024)
When the studio first announced it, most people might have assumed the worst when it came to 2024’s The First Omen, as every Omen tie-in before it failed to capture the same debilitating horror of the original.
Against all odds, though, The First Omen defied fans’ low expectations, delivering a horror movie as taut, mysterious, and unsettling as Rosemary's Baby or the original Omen. Adding a unique new spin on Damien’s origins within the series, The First Omen outfits the hit horror series with a much-needed sense of intrigue, further enriching the events of the first movie.
Wonder Woman (2017)
As even the most diehard superhero fans can admit, the DCEU has seen its fair share of underwhelming releases. For every Suicide Squad or Batman v. Superman, however, the studio has released a more entertaining film like 2017’s Wonder Woman, rejuvenating the DCEU whenever the series needed a fresh start.
Dialing the clocks back to the early 20th century, Wonder Woman forms a wondrous origin story for Gal Gadot’s eponymous hero. Transporting viewers to the secluded island of Themyscira, Wonder Woman orients itself around the underlying traits that characterize Wonder Woman’s distinct personality, from her fascination with modern culture to her unending battles for truth and justice.
Fast Five (2011)
In a surprising twist, Fast Five precedes the events of the previous Fast & Furious adventure in Tokyo Drift, making the Fast & Furious continuity that much more confusing and complicated to decipher.
Yet even then, one can’t help but admire Fast Five for its high-octane action and fast-paced story. Dropping Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his crew into the favelas of Brazil, Fast Five made for the first standout entry in the entire Fast series, acting as a significant improvement over the initial four installments of the franchise.
Cruella (2021)
Few people might have expected to one day see a prequel film centered around 101 Dalmatians' chief antagonist–the borderline psychotic Cruella de Vil. Yet in 2021, Disney saw such a prequel through to fruition, resulting in the all-star crime comedy, Cruella.
Led by a smashing Emma Stone in the lead role, Cruella feels like a stylistic cross between The Sting and The Devil Wears Prada, ensuring plenty of standout moments between Stone and her on-screen counterpart (Emma Thompson). Presenting the world of ‘70s fashion in a fascinating and glamorous manner, Cruella deserves praise for its inventive visual tone and stylish performances alone.
Prometheus (2012)
When Prometheus first arrived in theaters in 2012, most people didn’t know what to make of it. A tense, claustrophobic sci-fi horror film with weightier existential undertones to it, Prometheus also took audiences by surprise with its overarching connections to the Alien series.
Though some viewers might criticize the movie for its pretentious script and inconsistent storyline, no one can deny Prometheus’s ambitious scope or unique narrative. Expanding the horizon of the Alien universe in new and surprising ways, Prometheus never fails to gauge audiences’ interests, whether through Michael Fassbender’s eloquent android David or the early versions of the xenomorph displayed on-screen.
