Left wanting more? Films that deserved a sequel but never got one

One might say that second parts are never as good as the first, but there are many examples to show that this is not necessarily true... In fact, with some of the films we've seen, we've been left wanting more.

So, let's take a look at some examples of productions that should have deserved a sequel. How about 'The Goonies'? Wouldn't it have been great to see a new adventure of this group of kids and good old Sloth?

In a meeting between the cast and crew in 2020, they said that screenwriter Chris Columbus had been working on a sequel to 'The Goonies,' but apparently, he has not been able to come up with a final idea. Actor Corey Feldman, for his part, ruled it out in an interview with Dread Central, claiming that "we can't make The Goonies 2 without Richard Donner" (the director of the original film who died in 2021).

That ending, in which Annie appears dressed as a waitress, telling Paul Sheldon that she is his number one fan, it's brilliant. And all this with a knife in her hand. It leads us to think that after almost two hours of suffering, the nightmare of the author of 'Misery' is not over and everything starts all over again... Was a sequel needed to find out what became of him after that encounter?

One of the great tales of our childhood, 'The Princess Bride' is a story of adventure, of princesses and knights, of thieves and bandits - agile, witty, and memorable. A story that a grandfather tells his grandson in bed and ends with the old man's promise to come back the next day to read him another story. We are still waiting for that to happen...

Young Willow managed to defeat the evil Bavmorda, defending little Elora to the end. He did so thanks to the help of the (sometimes) brave Madmardigan, Sorsha, and Raziel, who presented him with a book of spells as the prophecy dictated.

In the 1988 movie, Willow returned to his village with his wife and two children. He would continue as a wizard, a new life we really wanted to get to know better through a new series of stories. After three decades, we finally got our "sequel" in the shape of a Disney+ series. But it did take a very, very long time.

There are actually many fantasy classics that merited a sequel, and another example of this is 'Labyrinth.' The story of Sarah and her crusade through the labyrinth to rescue her little brother from the Goblin King and his minions could have gone further and deeper into the fantastic world that surrounds them.

There has been much talk about a sequel by the makers of the original 'Labyrinth' in the 2020s, but it's unclear how far the project has advanced.

A classic of 80's cinema that also left us wanting to enjoy more of a wonderful story after the sad farewell of the film's ending. Why not the return of the endearing alien to Earth to see his friend Elliot again? According to some media reports, Spielberg thought of a sequel in which Elliot was abducted and it was be up to ET to rescue him, but that idea was never heard of again...

Another 80s classic that has always been in the pipeline for a possible sequel: Tim Burton's 'Beetlejuice'. The story of the nasty and bumbling specialist at scaring mortals could easily go on in another movie. According to Michael Keaton himself: "The only way to do it is to do it right. A lot of the film was improvised and the rest was masterfully done by Tim Burton. If you can't do that, it's better to leave it alone." There are certain films that are like Indian burial grounds, better not to walk over them.

The detective comedy 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' was revolutionary at the time with its mix of real and animated images. It told a story that had us all hooked. According to the director himself in a Yahoo interview, not only is there a script for the sequel but "it's a pretty good one." He also warned, however, that "Disney doesn't seem interested in returning to Toontown."

Do you think the Coneheads have gone for good after Beldar convinced them to leave? What if they came back? It would make a good story for a sequel to the 1993 Steve Barron film starring Dan Aykroyd, Jason Alexander, and Jane Curtin. They could tell us a new story of the Coneheads' family on Earth, having stayed here to live among the humans...

The story that Peter Pan had grown up and forgotten Neverland ended in the best possible way: by rediscovering the boy he once was. In the end, he left his baton in the hands of Rufio and we would like to see him in new adventures in that fantasy world. We have to acknowledge though, that this was one of Steven Spielberg's least favorite films and that one of its lead actors, Robin Williams, is no longer with us. Maybe best to stick to that one 'Hook' we have...

At the end of this film, little Matilda, already aware of her tremendous powers, manages to become a family together with Miss Honey. It would have been nice to know the story of the little girl in her new life, so different from the one she had had until then...

'Wonka', the prequel to 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,' is expected for the end of 2023. The idea excites us, as would a sequel with more stories about the factory and the life of the Oompa-Loompas.

'Eragon' is a fantasy adventure film based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Christopher Paolini. The truth is that there is a whole saga about this story written in five books by the American writer, so we are looking forward to the continuation of their adaptations to the big screen. They say that the critics have put a brake on a possible franchise, but it's never too late...

Another Tim Burton film worthy of a sequel. This parody of 1950s sci-fi takes us to a world battling an invasion of Martians. Wasn't there a sequel to 'Independence Day'? Why not a sequel to 'Mars Attacks'?

On the day the world is going to end, Arthur begins a journey that will help him discover the meaning of life, all thanks to 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.' This comedy is based on a series of books described as "a trilogy in five parts." The saga has a huge following around the world, and there is plenty of material for new films to make us laugh.

This British film mixed science fiction with horror to tell us the story of a ship that takes over people. It was not very well received at the time but has become a cult classic in this genre. Its ending leaves the door open to the idea of ​​a sequel, but its director has always said that it is not something he is interested in...

A South African science fiction film that tells us the opposite of what alien films usually tell us. The aliens arrive on Earth in peace and the humans put them in a kind of concentration camp to 'coexist' with them. Many are hoping for a sequel to this universe created by Neill Blomkamp, ​​who said in an interview that "to make a sequel I would have to talk to the studios, who have the rights."

In this Christopher Nolan film, a group of explorers searches for a place where the human race can survive the imminent end of life on Earth. A sequel would help us to see how the new colony grows, how humanity develops on the habitable planet of Edmunds, and what awaits them in this new, unknown, and distant place.

'Ex Machina' is a tale about evolution, in this case with machines as its protagonists. The story gives rise to a sequel that would begin where the film left off, at the moment when Ava becomes the lead character and begins to have feelings. A new film could see the story from her point of view and her sentiments. Unfortunately, the director, Alex Garland, is one of those filmmakers opposed to second parts...

This would be the second part of a sequel. Thirty years after the story we are told in the original 'Blade Runner', a new replicant, K (Ryan Gosling) discovers a deeply hidden secret that could end the chaos in society. Despite many well-concluded parts, the story still has room for more. And although the box office didn't go along with it, fans are clamoring for more 'Blade Runner' and more fights between humans and replicants...

After taking down Simon Phoenix, John Spartan and Huxley start a new life and try to build a society in the future in which the character played by Stallone awakens. A sequel could tell us new stories and cases for these agents of the San Angeles Police to solve. It could explore the theme of cryogenics and other scenarios for the future.

The film 'Ender's Game' is based on the first of five novels in the Ender saga, created by Orson Scott Card. The film directed by Gavin Hood and starring Asa Butterfield, Harrison Ford, Hailee Steinfeld, and Ben Kingsley did not do well at the box office. But why not give this sci-fi saga about alien invasions a chance to continue?

One of Will Smith's most acclaimed films. Fans of the film have always wanted a sequel, but so far they've had no luck. This story, set in a post-apocalyptic world plagued by monsters called Dark Seekers, could lead to a sequel in which, for example, humanity would be resurrected...

Almost every superhero movie has a sequel, so why not one for the most unlikeable superhero? The reality is that in Peter Berg's film, the character played by Will Smith ends up straightening out his life, so the scriptwriters need to work a bit harder to make up new adventures of Hancock...

'John Carter' is another one of those sci-fi movies that didn't have much success with audiences but, over the years, fans of the genre have taken a liking to this story based on the books by Edgar Rice Burroughs. The John Carter/Mars universe has room for development and would well deserve another chance with a good sequel.

A truly magnificent and successful film by Christopher Nolan with Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role. The story is about Cobb, a man condemned to flee and renounce his normal life. He will only be able to get out of it by means of inception, which consists of implanting an idea in the subconscious rather than extracting it. This is a curious and complicated science fiction story that we could continue to delve into. Also, for those who found it complex, it will be great to have everything explained to us in the sequel.

Based on the manga of the same name by Masamune Shirow, and the anime from 1995 by Mamoru Oshii, 'Ghost in the Shell: The Soul of the Machine' is quite a visual spectacle. Scarlett Johansson perfectly recreates Motoko Kusanagi, even though her casting for an Asian character has been controversial. Still, the original story leads to a sequel and much more. We can simply follow the road taken by the animated film and its second part: 'Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence.'

Considered one of the best science fiction films in history, Commander William Cage's eternal battle against aliens is also one of those that deserves a second part. Actress Emily Blunt herself, Rita in 'Edge of Tomorrow', said that it will be complicated, because "it is a very expensive film, I don't know how we are going to do it and it is difficult to align everyone's agendas."

Based on the science fiction comic, 'Valérian and Laureline', written by Pierre Christin and illustrated by Jean-Claude Mézières, it tells the story of space agents in charge of maintaining order in all human territories. We have here one story of the many that could be extracted from the original comic. Will there be more?

A film of the cyberpunk action genre based on the manga GUNNM, by Yukito Kishiro, also has room for a second part, with the idea of ​​expanding this original film or continuing with the history of the Japanese series. Robert Rodríguez himself, director of the film, confirmed that Alita 2 is not yet a reality but that he is willing to fight for it.

It seems rash to ask for a sequel to 'Forrest Gump' when the film was well closed with the death of Jenny and Forrest ending up as the father of her child. But it turns out that after the success of the film, Winston Groom, the author of the novel it adapted, wrote another book: 'Gump and Co.' This story is about the life of the protagonist in the 80s. Wouldn't it be great to see it in movie theaters?

A film well remembered by all for the presence of Natalie Portman as a girl next to the assassin León, played by Jean Reno. Could we see a sequel in which little Mathilda becomes a contract killer as an adult, with all the knowledge she acquired as León's apprentice?

Although it was not a great success at the box office, this story by David Cronenberg about the Russian mafia in London dazzled many, and we were left wanting more. In fact, the director himself assured us in 2009 that he was working on a second part, but so far, it has never seen the light. Will he take up that great idea again?

The idea of ​​bringing together Al Pacino and Robert de Niro was a great idea - and the result was even better. From that union came 'Heat', an action movie about a spectacular heist directed by Michael Mann. Based on this film, new stories could be created around its characters. In fact, in June 2019, Mann announced a second part in the form of a novel that would be a prequel and a sequel to the film at the same time. So why not also on the big screen?

'American History X' is a harsh critique of the hate society and a cry for respect, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Dani's sad ending is the result of that hatred. A sequel to this movie could follow Derek's fight to end racism or perhaps present-day hate groups with stories that have that same background.

David Fincher's film told us the story of a secret fighting club whose users vented their frustrations and anger. It was based on a novel by Chuck Palahniuk and, apparently, it is a story with a closed ending. Yet, Palahniuk published a second part of the novel, in comic format, in 2016. It's a continuation of the original story that we wouldn't mind if it hit cinemas too...

The plot of 'Her', futuristic and realistic in equal parts won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. It also took us into a curious story in which a lonely man, Theodore, falls in love with his operating system, Samantha. It would not hurt to know more about what the future holds for both after separating and what else the future will bring us in terms of technology as Spike Jonze imagined it.

An interesting psychological horror film that also won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, 'Get Out' shows a family of rich white people who subjugate African-Americans and turn them into their servants. The film was well-received and would definitely merit a sequel or prequel.

After 'Monsters Inc' would come 'Monsters University', but that is not a sequel - it's a prequel. For this reason, we continue to hope that one day we will get new adventures from Sully and Mike. And by the way, what happens when he opens the door and sees Boo?

Increasingly aware of climate change, 'Wall-E' was a declaration of intent for an important issue. It would not hurt to continue delving into the history of the robot and raise awareness about the damage that people do to the planet.

'Inside Out' is a perfectly made movie for a sequel, because it tells us about the emotions of a girl who goes from child to teen. The film is truly a wonderful, beautiful reflection of how we control our emotions and we need more. A second part can certainly be launched and will have the perfect setting for an explosion of emotions: adolescence to adulthood.

We were dazzled by Merida's struggle to break the rules and have decision-making power in the face of a society contrary to her wishes. A story with a message, awareness and fun that left us wanting more. It would not be bad to have new adventures of Merida, the strongest and most independent of the Disney princesses.

Pixar fans liked this movie so much that they wouldn't mind a sequel with more of a Remy, Linguini, and Colette story at 'La Ratatouille' restaurant. The world of cooking is in fashion, and if it comes hand in hand with good stories like this, even better...

'Up' could have a sequel in which new adventures are developed with Russell as the lead. He was an expert explorer and we need new characters to remind us of everything he lived through with Carl.

'A Bugs Life' is the only early Pixar film that hasn't had a sequel. Why not enjoy these friendly blue ants again? The circus bugs left with the promise of coming back, so it's never too late to see them again for a new adventure with Flik.

Based on a novel by Ted Hughes, this animated movie tells us the story of a boy who finds and befriends a giant robot. The machine turns out to be an alien weapon that lost its memory when it arrived on Earth. A sequel could explain what would happen if the giant remembered everything again.

This animated film tells the story of Makoto, a girl with the ability to go back in time. She will use it to run away from her problems, save her friends, and even fall in love with a traveler from the future. The love story is left wanting - pending a sequel where everything is finally explained to us...