The Best Prequels Ever Released
Prequels can be tricky. Done wrong, they feel like cash-grabs, but done right, they deepen beloved stories and let us see familiar characters from brand-new angles. Let’s take a look at some of the best prequels ever made.
The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly (1966)
Though released last in Sergio Leone’s “Man with No Name” trilogy, the movie works as a prequel, showing Clint Eastwood’s iconic gunslinger before his later adventures. Leone combines sprawling desert landscapes with meticulous tension and unforgettable characters, anchored by Eli Wallach’s mischievous Tuco. Ennio Morricone’s legendary score elevates it to cinematic myth. Fans love it not just for style but for cementing the spaghetti western as high art, while subtly setting up the outlaw universe that Fistful of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More would follow.
United Artists, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
The Godfather: Part II (1974)
Francis Ford Coppola didn’t just make a sequel; he made half a prequel. Robert De Niro plays young Vito Corleone, tracing his rise from a poor Sicilian immigrant to a powerful don. Juxtaposed with Al Pacino’s Michael descending deeper into corruption, the dual structure creates an operatic exploration of legacy. Viewers admire how the prequel segments flesh out Vito’s motivations and values while offering haunting contrasts to Michael’s cold empire-building. It’s ambitious, tragic, and often argued to be even greater than the original Godfather.
Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom (1984)
Set a year before Raiders of the Lost Ark, Spielberg’s second Indy film dials up the danger. Harrison Ford battles cultists, booby traps, and supernatural terrors in India. Tonally darker, it explores the archaeologist’s more reckless, cynical side before his moral compass fully forms. While divisive upon release, many now appreciate its pulpy adventure, practical effects, and memorable set-pieces like the mine cart chase.
Paramount Pictures, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (1992)
David Lynch’s haunting prequel to Twin Peaks dives into Laura Palmer’s tragic final days. Sheryl Lee’s performance is devastating, bringing humanity to a character previously known only as a mystery. Though audiences expecting answers were initially baffled, it’s since been re-evaluated as a raw, surreal examination of trauma and small-town darkness. Lynch mixes dreamlike horror with unbearable intimacy, making it essential for fans who want to understand the emotional heart of the series—and why Laura’s death haunted an entire town.
New Line Cinema, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992)
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge Of The Sith (2005)
George Lucas closes the prequel trilogy with the fall of Anakin Skywalker into Darth Vader. It’s the ultimate space opera, balancing romance, betrayal, and Jedi politics with breathtaking lightsaber duels. Despite criticisms of earlier prequels, Revenge of the Sith won over many fans with its darker tone, visual spectacle, and importance to the lore of the series.
Lucasfilm, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
X-Men: First Class (2011)
Matthew Vaughn revitalized the franchise by taking it back to the 1960s. James McAvoy’s Charles Xavier and Michael Fassbender’s Erik Lehnsherr showcase the fragile friendship that will later collapse into bitter rivalry. With a Cold War backdrop, stylish retro design, and strong supporting cast (Jennifer Lawrence, Kevin Bacon), it blends superhero action with espionage drama. Fans love how it gave the series fresh energy, delivering emotional stakes alongside mutant spectacle.
20th Century Fox, X-Men: First Class (2011)
Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes (2011)
Serving as a fresh franchise reboot, Rupert Wyatt’s Rise follows Andy Serkis’ Caesar, a chimp whose enhanced intelligence makes him a revolutionary leader. The mix of groundbreaking motion-capture and heartfelt storytelling sets it apart from typical blockbusters. Unlike earlier Apes films, it grounds the apocalypse in science, ethics, and compassion. Audiences responded to the emotional core, particularly Caesar’s bond with humans before betrayal sparks rebellion. It set the tone for one of modern cinema’s most respected trilogies.
20th Century Fox, Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
Monsters University (2013)
This Pixar prequel reveals how Mike and Sully, our favorite monster duo, went from enemies to inseparable friends. While lighter than Monsters, Inc., it’s a heartfelt campus comedy that blends frat-house antics with the quirky monster world. Beyond laughs, it gives surprising depth to Mike’s underdog story and Sully’s cocky beginnings, making their partnership all the more satisfying. Though aimed at kids, the themes of self-discovery and resilience hit home for adults too.
Pixar Animation Studios, Monsters University (2013)
Alien: Covenant (2017)
Ridley Scott continues the saga from Prometheus, edging closer to the origins of the xenomorph. While Fassbender’s dual performance as David and Walter steals the show, the film also delivers the body horror and claustrophobic dread fans associate with Alien. Audiences were split on its mythology expansion, but its mix of philosophical questions and brutal sci-fi terror earns it recognition. For fans, it’s an ambitious attempt to reconcile the cosmic mystery of Prometheus with the monster thrills of the original series.
20th Century Fox, Alien: Covenant (2017)
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018)
Part prequel, part sequel, this ABBA-fueled extravaganza follows Lily James as young Donna in the 1970s. Viewers see how she met the three men who may be Sophie’s father, while present-day characters reflect on her legacy. The sunny Greek setting, irresistible songs, and heartfelt nostalgia struck a chord with fans. Its emotional beats—especially around motherhood and loss—elevate it beyond fluff. For many, it’s even more polished and moving than the first film.
Universal Pictures, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018)
Prey (2022)
A refreshing reinvention of the Predator series, Prey goes back to 1719, centering on Naru (Amber Midthunder), a Comanche warrior fighting to prove herself. The film balances thrilling survival action with cultural authenticity, showing an underdog using ingenuity against a technologically advanced predator. Fans loved its stripped-down approach, tight pacing, and gorgeous wilderness visuals. It revitalized the franchise by returning to primal, character-driven storytelling, reminding audiences why the original Predator was such a classic.
20th Century Studios, Prey (2022)
Orphan: First Kill (2022)
Thirteen years after Orphan, Isabelle Fuhrman shockingly reprised her role as Esther—despite being an adult playing a child again. Through clever practical effects and camera tricks, director William Brent Bell made it work. The prequel explores Esther’s origins in Estonia before her murderous infiltration of an American family. While not as chillingly fresh as the original, fans appreciated its wild twists and dedication to Esther’s unnerving psychology. It’s a creepy, pulpy expansion of a cult horror hit.
Paramount Players, Orphan: First Kill (2022)
Pearl (2022)
Ti West’s X gave us a slasher set in the ’70s, but Pearl takes us back to 1918 to witness the birth of a villain. Mia Goth shines in a mesmerizing, unhinged performance as Pearl, a farm girl whose dreams curdle into violence. Styled like a Technicolor melodrama, the film contrasts bright visuals with gruesome horror. Critics praised its boldness, and Goth’s now-iconic monologue cemented the movie as a modern horror masterpiece.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes (2023)
Francis Lawrence returns to Panem to explore the rise of young Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth). Paired with singer Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), the film dives into the 10th Hunger Games and Snow’s ruthless ambition. It offers insight into the Games’ early structure and class politics while showing how charm twists into tyranny. Though darker than the original saga, fans appreciate how it enriches the lore and connects meaningfully to Katniss’s rebellion decades later.
Lionsgate, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2023)
Wonka (2023)
Paul King (Paddington) crafts a whimsical prequel to Roald Dahl’s classic, imagining Willy Wonka before he built his chocolate empire. Timothée Chalamet leans into charm, curiosity, and quirky musical numbers. The film’s confectionary visuals and heartfelt backstory give fans a sweeter, kinder Wonka while still nodding to the eccentric genius he’ll become. Critics praised its earnestness and old-fashioned magic, making it a cozy family classic in the making.
Warner Bros. Pictures, Wonka (2023)
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
George Miller expands Fury Road’s mythology by exploring the origins of Imperator Furiosa, now played by Anya Taylor-Joy. Kidnapped from her homeland, she fights her way back across a brutal wasteland. Chris Hemsworth’s warlord adds menace, but it’s Furiosa’s resilience that anchors the story. With Miller’s kinetic action, insane vehicles, and striking visuals, it enriches the Mad Max universe with a tale of survival, loss, and vengeance. Fans and critics alike hailed it as a worthy, ferocious prequel.
Warner Bros. Pictures, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
The First Omen (2024)
This chilling prequel to The Omen franchise tracks a young woman’s discovery of a sinister conspiracy that will bring forth the Antichrist. Directed by Arkasha Stevenson, it balances gothic atmosphere with modern horror intensity. While set decades before Damien terrorizes audiences, it adds layers of dread to the mythos. Fans praised its blend of religious horror, paranoia, and shocking set-pieces, making it a surprisingly strong entry in a long-running horror saga.
20th Century Studios, The First Omen (2024)
Saw X (2023)
Wedged neatly between the first two Saw films, Saw X brings Tobin Bell’s John Kramer back into focus. With terminal illness looming, Jigsaw travels to Mexico for an experimental cure, only to turn the tables on con artists. Fans hailed it as one of the strongest entries in years, thanks to its character focus, brutal traps, and sharp continuity. It’s a return to form, deepening Jigsaw’s twisted moral code while serving up grisly thrills.
Infernal Affairs II (2003)
This prequel to Hong Kong’s acclaimed crime thriller explores the earlier lives of undercover cop Yan and triad mole Ming. Directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak, it dives into the shifting allegiances of police and gang leaders. Though not as sleek as the original, it enriches the characters’ motives and moral struggles, showing the long shadows of loyalty and betrayal. For fans of layered crime dramas, it’s a fascinating expansion of a modern classic.
Media Asia Films, Infernal Affairs II (2003)
Prometheus (2012)
Ridley Scott boldly returned to Alien territory with a philosophical bent. A team of explorers searches for humanity’s origins on a distant world, only to uncover horrors tied to the Engineers. The film’s visual grandeur, eerie atmosphere, and Fassbender’s android David stood out. While divisive, it’s admired for ambitious themes about creation, faith, and hubris. As a prequel, it reframed the xenomorph as part of a larger, terrifying mythos.
20th Century Fox, Prometheus (2012)
The First Purge (2018)
Gerard McMurray’s prequel explains how the Purge began as a “social experiment” on Staten Island, revealing the government’s manipulative role. By showing its origins, the film grounds the horror in political commentary, making its satire sharper. Audiences appreciated the backstory and how it connected to real social anxieties. Though not as stylish as later entries, it gave needed context to the franchise’s terrifying dystopia.
Universal Pictures, The First Purge (2018)
Cruella (2021)
Emma Stone transforms Cruella de Vil from a flat villain into a punk-rock anti-hero. Directed by Craig Gillespie, the film is set in ’70s London and drenched in glam style. It cleverly explains Cruella’s obsession with fashion and her chaotic personality. While still morally gray, it makes her oddly sympathetic. Fans adored the costumes, soundtrack, and Stone’s fiery performance, giving the Disney prequel surprising bite.
Walt Disney Pictures, Cruella (2021)
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
Peter Jackson revisits Middle-earth with Bilbo Baggins’ first adventure. While some criticized its length, it introduces a younger Bilbo (Martin Freeman), Thorin’s company of dwarves, and, of course, Gollum and the One Ring. The lighter tone and sweeping visuals bring fresh charm compared to the heavier LOTR. Fans appreciated seeing more of Tolkien’s world fleshed out, even if it occasionally felt bloated.
Warner Bros. Pictures, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Gareth Edwards crafts a gritty, standalone Star Wars story about the doomed rebels who steal the Death Star plans. Felicity Jones leads an ensemble cast of underdog heroes, bringing grounded humanity to the galaxy far, far away. With darker themes, war-film aesthetics, and that unforgettable Darth Vader hallway scene, it’s become a fan favorite. By showing ordinary people’s sacrifices, it enriches the stakes of A New Hope.
Lucasfilm, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Before the Avengers assembled, Joe Johnston’s film gave Steve Rogers his WWII origin story. Chris Evans plays the scrawny kid turned super-soldier whose moral compass is as important as his shield. The retro setting and earnest tone make it stand out in the MCU. Fans appreciated its heart, old-school adventure feel, and how it laid the groundwork for the Avengers. It’s both a superhero prequel and a love letter to classic war films.
Marvel Studios, Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
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