Best Horror Sequels!

They usually say that sequels are never as good as the original. But there are certainly some of them that have lived up to their predecessor. These are some of them.

Paranormal Activity 2 (2010)- Even more sleepless nights are guaranteed with this sequel to the smash hit. More cameras, more suspense, more scares. It's the best sequel in ages.

Halloween II (1981)- Of course, it's not the first. But Rick Rosenthal's sequel to John Carpenter's 1978 classic gets the job done. Picking up right where the first film left off, Michael Myers is shot and continues to roam Haddonfield. While Dr. Loomis goes on looking for The Shape, Laurie Strode is taken to the nearby hospital for treatment. The bad news is that Michael has followed her there, and kills off anyone who gets in the way. "Halloween II" is still pretty scary and entertaining to this day, thanks to some nicely executed kills, once again good performances by Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasence, well-done chase scenes, and an awesome boob shot. Leave your logic at the door, and enjoy.

Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)- After the success of the first "F13," a sequel was inevitable. And "Friday the 13th Part 2" fits the criteria for a good follow-up. After the events of the first, a new camp is set up not too far away from Camp Crystal Lake. You know what that means. A new batch of nubile counselors to pick off. But Mama Voorhees isn't the killer here. Nope. It's her son, Jason! Before the hockey mask, our friendly neighborhood mama's boy sported a potato sack over his head as he killed the teens, which is an effective and creepy visage. Like a good slasher sequel should do, "F13P2" ups the ante: more gore, more sex, and more suspense. It has aged well.

Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994)- Once Freddy had completely lost his touch, Wes Craven brought him back to terrifying life in this movie within a movie that says a lot about the horror audience. With everyone playing themselves(Heather Langenkamp gives a DYNAMITE! performance), Freddy is examined as more than just a fictional slasher movie villain. Robert Englund delivers the best performance since Part 3. There's nothing funny about Freddy in this one.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: The Dream Warriors (1987)- Including such famous stars as Patricia Arquette, Laurence Fischburne, and Priscilla Pointer, "A Nightmare on Elm Street 3" manages to stay scary while also being really funny, thanks to the always stellar performance of Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger. You get good dreams with this one.

Psycho II (1983)- Say that there's a sequel to "Psycho" and people think you're absolutely nuts to watch it. But, no! "Psycho II" is great! Norman Bates returns to his run-down motel and his house on the hill after 22 years of mental confinement. He has tried very much to forget Mother, but with Lila Loomis taunting Norman constantly, and a new friend named Mary staying at the Bates Motel, Mother's coming back and she isn't very happy with her son. Slightly gorier than the original, Part 2is great fun, with a flawless performance by Anthony Perkins and a surprisingly non-cliched story. "Psycho II" is a wonderful sequel. Don't worry, Norman. Mother's proud.

Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984)- Not exactly the final chapter, but this 4th installment in the "Friday the 13th" franchise has just as much gore, nudity, and atmosphere as Part 2. As always, each movie symbolizes AIDS in the 1980's. You have sex, than forget about your parents. This is Jason's form of punishment.

Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988)- Before Pinhead and his Cenobite buddies failed at the rest of the sequels and disappeared into oblivion, the first sequel to Clive Barker's sensual, disgusting, and entertaining masterpiece does extraordinarily well, with a story equally as intelligent as the original, more violence, and truly nightmarish imagery. "Hellbound" nails it. Pun intended.

The Bride of Frankenstein (1931)- I'll tell you the truth. I was more of a "Dracula" person than a "Frankenstein" person. Don't get me wrong. "Frankenstein" is a good film. But I just didn't love it as much as "Dracula." Then, "The Bride of Frankenstein" came along, and it is, in every way, better than the original. It's heartbreaking, scary, and very entertaining. Not the best sequel, for me, but certainly one of the best.

Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)- After 10 years, and the laughably bad and non-related "Halloween III," this was a welcome return, thanks to Donald Pleasence, our two appealing female leads(Danielle Harris and Ellie Cornell), a genuine eerieness, and a wonderful embracing of the Halloween holiday.

Scream 2 (1997)- "What's your favorite scary movie?" Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson teamed up again for this sequel that is equally as good as the first. It's smarter, gorier, funnier, and more entertaining. Here's hoping that "Scream 4" will do just as well as "Scream 3."