Most sequels never live up to the original, which makes these four so special. This One Gotta Go card puts some of the most praised sequels ever together: The Dark Knight, Aliens, Terminator 2 and The Godfather Part II.
Only three get to stay, and the fourth never gets made. Think about which sequel you would rewatch tonight, which one you think beats its original and which one you respect more than you enjoy. Then make your pick, and get ready for some strong opinions from the movie buffs at the table.
The 4 choices on this card
A. The Dark Knight (Batman Begins sequel)
The Dark Knight, released in 2008, followed Batman Begins with Heath Ledger's unforgettable Joker. It changed how people saw superhero movies. The case against it is that its huge popularity can make it feel overexposed, especially next to the classics on this card.
Keep it if: You think Heath Ledger's Joker is one of the best performances ever, and the movie still holds up today.
B. Aliens (Alien sequel)
Aliens turned the horror of Alien into a tense action film in 1986, with James Cameron directing and Sigourney Weaver leading. Many fans say it matches or beats the first film. If you prefer quiet horror over action, Aliens might be your cut.
Keep it if: You love Ripley, the Marines and the nonstop tension, and you think Aliens is a perfect action movie.
C. Terminator 2
Terminator 2: Judgment Day, from 1991, set new standards for special effects and turned the Terminator into a hero. It is a blockbuster classic. Some say its effects are its biggest selling point, which makes it a candidate for the cut if story matters most to you.
Keep it if: You love the liquid metal T-1000, the chase scenes and the way the movie flipped the original story.
D. The Godfather Part II
The Godfather Part II continued the Corleone story in 1974 and won Best Picture, the first sequel ever to do it. It is a masterpiece. It is also long and slow by modern standards, which makes it the hardest for some viewers to sit through.
Keep it if: You think it is one of the greatest films ever made and love how it tells two stories at once.
Our take
We would cut Terminator 2. It is a thrill ride, but the other three each pushed their genres forward in ways that people still study, from the crime epic to the superhero film. The most fun debate tends to be The Dark Knight against The Godfather Part II, since it pits a modern favorite against a classic. Ask everyone which sequel beat its original and see how many different answers you get.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which movie sequel actually surpassed the original?
- Is The Dark Knight a superhero movie or a crime movie?
- What is the worst sequel to a great movie?
- What sequel would you add to this card?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
Movie Sequels: quick answers
What was the first sequel to win Best Picture?
The Godfather Part II was the first sequel to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, at the 1975 ceremony. The first Godfather had also won Best Picture, making them a rare pair. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King later won as a third film in a series.
Is Aliens better than Alien?
Fans have discussed this for decades. Alien is a slow, frightening horror film, while Aliens is a tense, fast action movie. Both are considered classics. The answer usually depends on whether you prefer horror or action, which makes it a great follow-up to this card.
