Film franchises are a dime a dozen these days, but there’s something special about a legacy film. These are the movies that captured our hearts and imaginations years ago and then came roaring back with a sequel after a decade or more. They remind us why we fell in love with cinema in the first place, and prove that some stories are worth revisiting. Here are the 10 best legacy films that made us believe in the power of Hollywood magic all over again.
Avatar: The Way of Water
Set in the same fictional world of Pandora, the film follows the story of Jake Sully and Neytiri who embark on a quest to flee from the relentlessness of the sky people. Avatar: The Way of Water has been praised for its stunning visuals, immersive world-building, and engaging storyline. Critics have noted that the film’s use of cutting-edge technology and groundbreaking special effects create a truly unique and breathtaking cinematic experience. The underwater sequences in particular have been singled out for their beauty and technical achievement. Audiences have also responded positively to the film, with many praising its strong environmental message and themes of unity and connection.
Blade Runner 2049
A neo-noir science fiction film directed by Denis Villeneuve and released in 2017 and a sequel to the 1982 film Blade Runner. The story is set in a dystopian future where a new blade runner, Officer K, discovers a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what’s left of society into chaos. The story explores themes of identity, memory, and the nature of humanity in a world where the line between human and replicant (android) has been blurred. Praised for its stunning visuals, exceptional performances, and thought-provoking storyline, Blade Runner 2049 also received critical acclaim for its masterful direction, cinematography, and sound design, nominated for five Academy Awards, winning two.
Mad Max: Fury Road
Set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland where Max Rockatansky helps Imperator Furiosa, a rebel warrior, to transport five women who are being pursued by a ruthless warlord across the desert to safety. The story explores themes of survival, redemption, and the power of hope in a world where resources are scarce and humanity is on the brink of extinction. The film was praised and received critical acclaim for its feminist themes and portrayal of complex, nuanced female characters. It won six Academy Awards, including Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Film Editing. Directed by George Miller and is the fourth installment in the Mad Max franchise.
The Color of Money
A sequel to the 1961 film The Hustler, and is based on the novel of the same name by Walter Tevis. The Color of Money follows Fast Eddie Felson (Paul Newman), a former pool hustler who takes Vincent (Tom Cruise), a talented but naive young player, under his wing and teaches him the tricks of the trade. The film explores themes of mentorship, ambition, and the challenges of aging in a competitive world. The film showcased Martin Scorsese’s signature style of filmmaking, with its kinetic camerawork, electric soundtrack, and intense performances while also building on the themes and characters of the original film while also standing on its own as a powerful drama about the complexities of human relationships.
Toy Story 3
We are reunited with Woody, Buzz, and the other toys as they are accidentally donated to a daycare center after their owner, Andy, goes off to college. This entry was praised for its emotional depth, stunning visuals, and rich storytelling while also exploring mature themes, such as nostalgia, loss, and the passage of time, which resonated with both children and adults. Toy Story 3 won two Academy Awards, including Best Animated Feature, and was nominated for Best Picture, making it the third animated film ever to receive a nomination in that category. While this was a long-awaited legacy film, it was eventually followed up with Toy Story 4 in 2019.
Live Free or Die Hard
Bruce Willis returns as John McClane, a New York City police detective in the fourth installment in the Die Hard franchise, and features Timothy Olyphant and Justin Long in supporting roles. McClane tries to stop a group of cyber terrorists who are targeting the United States computer infrastructure. The movie received critical acclaim for its exploration of the changing landscape of modern technology and its impact on society. Live Free or Die Hard was a box office success, grossing over $383 million worldwide. It was also nominated for several awards, including the Saturn Award for Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film.
T2: Trainspotting 2
We pick up twenty years after the events of the first film and follow the characters as they navigate middle age, nostalgia, and regret. The film explores themes of aging, friendship, addiction, and the passage of time. The movie was praised for its strong performances, witty humor, and stylish visuals. It also received critical acclaim for its exploration of mature themes, such as the consequences of past actions and the search for redemption, which resonated with both fans of the original film and new audiences. T2: Trainspotting 2 was a commercial success, grossing over $41 million worldwide. It was also nominated for several awards, including the BAFTA Award for Best British Film.
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens
The seventh installment in the Star Wars franchise and set 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi and we follow new characters Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron as they team up with Han Solo and Chewbacca to defeat the First Order, a new evil organization that has risen from the ashes of the Galactic Empire. Star Wars: The Force Awakens was a massive commercial success, grossing over $2.06 billion worldwide. It was also nominated for several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Original Score and the BAFTA Award for Best Special Visual Effects.
Top Gun: Maverick
We are back with Maverick, now a flight instructor, as he takes on a new generation of Top Gun graduates to complete an impossible mission. This entry received acclaim with its thrilling aerial action sequences, which are shot with cutting-edge technology and provide a truly immersive cinematic experience and has been described as a “nostalgic thrill ride” and a “worthy successor” to the original film, with many praising its ability to capture the spirit of the original while also bringing something new to the table. Top Gun: Maverick was well-received by both critics and audiences, making it a successful follow-up to the beloved original film while also standing on its own as a thrilling and engaging action movie.
The Incredibles 2
The story picks up where the first film left off, with the Parr family trying to balance their normal lives with their superhero duties. The Incredibles 2 broke several records at the box office, becoming the highest-grossing animated movie of all time in the US and Canada for its time. It was also nominated for several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and won the award for Best Animated Feature at the BAFTA Awards. The film is considered a worthy sequel to the original film because it builds on the themes and characters of the first film while also exploring new territory and bringing fresh perspectives to the story.
What kind of legacy do you feel these films have left behind? Do you agree with our list? Did we miss any other legacy films? Let us know!
