KZN’s ultimate list: 100 sequels that beat the originals

Updated July 30, 2025, 1:15 a.m. | By East Coast Breakfast

When was the sequel better than the original? Let’s get into it…

The New York Times recently revealed its official list of the 100 greatest films of the 21st century. It was carefully curated from the votes of more than 500 directors, actors, screenwriters and critics from around the world.

It is filled with modern classics that have helped shape cinema as we know it. As we scanned through the list, something stood out immediately.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by History Photographed (@historyphotographed)

ALSO READ: R200 notes and no change: Why do ATMs keep giving us big bucks that we can’t use?

Not a single sequel made the list.

That’s right. No 'The Dark Knight'. No 'Shrek 2'. Not even 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'!

It got us thinking… Are sequels being unfairly overlooked?

Sure, some sequels feel unnecessary or fall flat, however, others have gone on to become masterpieces in their own right.

These films didn’t just carry on the story; they elevated it.

We were curious to hear what you thought, so we asked you on our Facebook page:

“When was the sequel better than the original?”

Your responses came in thick and fast. From superhero showstoppers to emotional animated follow-ups, you reminded us just how many great sequels exist.

With your help, we’ve put together KwaZulu-Natal’s ultimate list of sequels that beat the originals.