The prevalence of nostalgia in contemporary cinema has resulted in numerous sequels of beloved classics from past decades. Fans of the 1988 Tim Burton classic Beetlejuice are thrilled to learn that a sequel is in the works, though an official release date has yet to be announced. It is anticipated that the sequel will debut in 2024, 36 years after the original film’s premiere.

In light of this news, the team at Betway has compiled a list of classic movie sequels with the lengthiest gaps between installments and analyzed their IMDb ratings to determine the most critically acclaimed sequels.

1. Top Gun: Maverick – 36-year gap (8.3/10 rating)

Ranked second is Top Gun: Maverick, the highly anticipated sequel to the iconic 1986 film, Top Gun. Released in 2022, the sequel was a massive success at the box office, grossing nearly $1.5 billion worldwide. Tom Cruise reprised his role as Maverick, captivating audiences with his performance.

Top Gun: Maverick received overwhelmingly positive reviews from both viewers and critics, prompting moviegoers to flock to theaters to witness the thrilling action. The film boasts an impressive 8.3/10 rating on IMDb, solidifying its status as a must-see blockbuster.

In today’s age of movies, nostalgia is a very common theme, with many releases in recent years being sequels of classic movies from years prior. It has been revealed that the 1988 movie Beetlejuice is set for a sequel, leaving many fans of the Tim Burton classic very excited. Whilst no official release date has been confirmed, it’s believed to be hitting screens in 2024, 36 years after the release of the original.

With this in mind, the team at Betway have revealed which sequels of classic movies had the longest gap between the release of the last movie in the franchise, and also looked at the IMDb ratings to determine which sequels were the most well-received:

1. Top Gun: Maverick – 36-year gap (8.3/10 rating)

Second on the list is Top Gun: Maverick, the 2022 sequel to the 1986 classic Top Gun. Its sequel took the box office by storm, earning almost $1.5 billion globally and seeing Tom Cruise step back into the role of Maverick years later.

The sequel was extremely well-received, with both moviegoers and critics alike having nothing but high praise for the film, as they all flew to the cinemas to catch the action, earning the film a high 8.3/10 rating on IMDb.

2. Blade Runner 2049 – 35-year gap (8.0/10 rating)

Although the 1982 film Blade Runner initially failed to perform well at the box office, it gradually gained a cult following over time. This resulted in the release of the 2017 sequel, Blade Runner 2049, starring Ryan Gosling and featuring the return of Harrison Ford’s character, Rick Deckard.

Regrettably, the over three-hour sequel did not fare well at the box office, only earning slightly over $260 million worldwide. Despite this setback, many devoted fans and critics lauded the sequel for its superb sci-fi elements and cinematography, earning it an impressive 8.0/10 rating on IMDb.

3. Coming 2 America – 33-year gap (5.3/10 rating)

Next up is Coming 2 America, the 2021 follow-up to the 1988 movie, Coming To America. This sequel follows the return of Akeem, an African royal character played by Eddie Murphy, to America where he discovers the existence of his long-lost son.

In contrast to earlier discussions, the reception of the sequel to Coming To America was not as positive among viewers. With a rating of 5.3/10 on IMDb, it is evident that many consider the first film to be superior, as it has a higher rating of 7.1/10.

4. Star Wars: The Force Awakens – 32-year gap (7.8/10 rating)

Although there were three Star Wars films released in the 32-year gap between Return of the Jedi in 1983 and The Force Awakens in 2015, those films were actually prequels. Fans eagerly waited for a continuation of the original characters like Luke, Leia, and Han Solo, along with new faces, which finally came after three decades. The Force Awakens received high praise from both fans and critics upon release, earning over $2 billion at the box office. However, some criticized the plot for being too similar to the original 1977 Star Wars film. While it earned a decent 7.8/10 IMDb rating, fans didn’t have the same positive opinions of the subsequent sequels.

5. Mad Max: Fury Road – 30-year gap (8.1/10 rating)

While the original Mad Max trilogy saw a decline in popularity after 1985’s Beyond Thunderdome, the 2015 post-apocalyptic action epic, Mad Max: Fury Road, bears little resemblance to its predecessors. Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron delivered noteworthy performances, and the fast-paced action left audiences in awe, resulting in a high rating of 8.1/10 and impressive box office success.

6. TRON: Legacy – 28-year gap (6.8/10 rating)

Up next, we have the 2010 science-fiction flick, TRON: Legacy. Although the initial film, TRON from 1982, only had moderate success in theaters, it quickly gained a devoted fanbase, which eventually led to the creation of a sequel almost three decades later.

TRON: Legacy was a commercial hit and raked in more than $400 million with a production cost of $170 million. It even received an Oscar nomination for Best Sound Editing, but unfortunately, lost out to Inception. The movie currently holds a rating of 6.8/10 on IMDb.

7. Dumb and Dumber To – 20-year gap (5.6/10 rating)

In 2014, the slapstick comedy Dumb and Dumber To, featuring Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels as the comedic pair Lloyd and Harry, was released two decades after its predecessor, Dumb and Dumber, premiered in 1994. Despite being an unwanted sequel, the film failed to meet expectations at the box office, earning only $167 million compared to the original’s success. Its rating on IMDb is a mere 5.6/10.

8. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull – 19-year gap (6.2/10 rating)

In the 80s, the renowned actor Harrison Ford portrayed the iconic Indiana Jones, propelling him to icon status. The trilogy of films released during that decade were beloved by fans. However, it took 19 years for the fourth film, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, to be released in 2008. Despite the film’s financial success, it was considered a letdown by both fans and critics, receiving a 6.2/10 IMDb rating. The franchise seems accustomed to prolonged intervals, with the release of the fifth film, The Dial of Destiny, slated for this year, 15 years after the previous installment.

9. The Godfather: Part III – 16-year gap (7.6/10 rating)

The Godfather and The Godfather: Part II, released in 1972 and 1974 respectively, are widely regarded as two of the greatest films ever made. It wasn’t until 1990 that the iconic series became a trilogy with the release of the third installment, which concluded the story of Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino.

Although the third film performed reasonably well at the box office at the time, it failed to garner the same level of acclaim from fans and critics as its predecessors, which are considered cinematic masterpieces. Despite still maintaining a respectable rating of 7.6/10 on IMDb, it falls short in comparison to the first two films.