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Top 5 Horror Sequels We're Still Waiting To See

The questions want answered and the stories we want ended in Horror.

By Luke DuffyPublished 3 years ago 6 min read
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[Credit: The Odyssey Online]

When looking at the history of cinema it seems that any horror film, even a bad one, is able to spawn sequels. In terms of quality, some films have been strengthened by sequels. Look at the Phantasm series for example. Others, however, have been embarrassed by sequels, the original Halloween being an unfortunate example.

Then there are those films that leave us wanting more, dreaming of a sequel that may never happen. So here's a list of the top five horror sequels that many, including myself, are dying to see.

Warning - the following contain spoilers for the franchises listed.

5. 'The Descent Part 3'

[Credit: Lionsgate]

While the first film has been called by many as one of the greatest original horror films of the 2000s, The Descent Part 2 did not receive as much praise. The characters weren't as relatable and the plot was pathetically similar to the original's. However, the sequel is not without merit. It showed more of the Crawlers' habitat, the way they lived, and presented more questions about their world, questions that can be answered with a third film.

The big question the second film posed was at the very end where Rios, the police deputy and only survivor, is knocked out unconscious by Ed, an old local, and dragged over to a cave entrance. The film's final image is of a crawler leaping out at the screen.

Part 2 implies that the world above is not oblivious to the existence of the crawlers, a possibility that the original never explored. Part 2 leaves us with questions like who is Ed? How does he know about the crawlers? Does the community know? Why did Ed make sure no one got out? Part 2 didn't do well at the box office or with the critics; hence a third film is unlikely. However, just because it can't get made doesn't mean it shouldn't get made as the potential is clearly there.

4. 'Wishmaster 5'

Andrew Divoff as cinema's most vicious genie [Credit: Lionsgate]

It would be great to see Andrew Divoff as the Djinn again, especially considering that the actor himself has expressed interest in making a fifth film.

The first Wishmaster (and the second to an extent) are fun, engaging, well written, well made and full of great gore effects. The third and fourth films however feature cheap effects, unbearably dull characters and, worst of all, no Andrew Divoff. If a fifth installment was made with the writing, effects and fun of the first two (and Divoff!) it could redeem the franchise and end it on a high note.

3. 'Re-Animator 4'

Herbert West in Bride of Re-Animator [Credit: 50th Street Films]

A fourth Re-Animator film has been discussed numerous times in the media but has never come to fruition. The most well-known unmade Re-Animator fourquel is House of Re-Animator, a project the late Stuart Gordon tried to get off the ground throughout the 2000s. The film would've reunited Jeffrey Combs as Herbert West and Bruce Abbott as Dan Cain as they'd be called into the White House to re-animate the president after dying of a heart attack. One contributing factor to the film not being made was its vicious satire of the George Bush administration.

While there is no reliable source to confirm this, producer Brian Yuzna was apparently working on a fourth film of his own at one point. His fourquel would've been called Island of Re-Animator, which would obviously take inspiration from H.G. Wells' The Island of Dr Moreau.

Even though the Re-Animator films have been relatively stand alone, there is a clear story arc running through the series. All three films chronicle Herbert's obsessive effort to perfect his reagent and defeat death. Regardless of the unlikelihood of a fourth Re-Animator, it would be great to see Dan and Herbert on screen again as Gordon's project promised. A fourth film could show where their unstable relationship goes and, maybe, draw the series to some sort of conclusion.

2. '28 Months Later'

[Credit: Fox]

Like The Descent, the 28 series consists of two films, the first being a classic and the second not as much. Also like The Descent series however, 28's last installment finishes on a cliffhanger.

28 Weeks Later ends with a crowd of the infected sprinting towards the Eiffel Tower, suggesting that the rage virus is still active and spreading. 28 Weeks Later may have lacked the focus on character that 28 Days was praised for, but unlike 28 Days it had a bigger budget and was able to truly depict a zombie apocalypse on a large scale.

Screenwriter Alex Garland's recent comments about the possibility of a third 28 being made are not encouraging but just like with a third Descent film, there's no reason why a 28 Months Later shouldn't get made. If the third film escalated the scale and tension just as 28 Weeks did, the results could be incredible.

1. 'Candyman 4'

Tony Todd as the Legend Himself [Credit: Lionsgate]

Candyman is a series with a lot of unfulfilled potential. The first two films created a character and a backstory that could've spawned an anthology of sequels, similar to the Hellraiser and Paranormal Activity franchises. The two films clearly display an urban legend that has traveled throughout the United States and haunted many lives. The premise is the foundation of numerous stories.

Unfortunately, the last we ever heard of the hook-wielding boogeyman was back in 1999 with the mediocre Candyman: Day of the Dead, a cheap straight-to-video sequel that was nothing but a rehash of ideas and plots from the first two.

A fourth film was apparently being prepared in the early 2000s. Some sources quoted the Candyman himself Tony Todd saying that the film would be set in an all-girls college in New England with a professor who is a descendant of the Candyman. That project never came to fruition. Apparently, the big obstacle preventing another film being made is rights. Each film is owned by a different studio hence no one really owns the Candyman name. So whenever a Candyman project is proposed, numerous companies fight for the credit.

It's 2018 now and so far there's been no sign of an upcoming Candyman. However, a few years ago director Bernard Rose did express interest in making a "proper sequel" to the original. At this point, the best way to revive the series is probably with a "soft reboot" in the words of RedLetterMedia. A fourth film, that reintroduces the character to new audiences but at the same time tells a new story, with Rose directing and Todd starring, could be what the franchise needs to return and be recognized for the mature and disturbing series that it is.

Do you think these sequels should be made? What other horror films or franchises do you think could do with more sequels?

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About the Creator

Luke Duffy

This is where I write serious stuff, for regular, less formal content visit my blog ( https://duffhood.wordpress.com).

I've also got twitter (@LukeDuffy19) and a YouTube channel (just search Duffhood).

See you around!

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