15 Sequels You Didn’t Know Were Sequels

Often, movies continue storylines from previous films without explicitly labeling themselves as sequels – they don’t use numbers in the title or heavily promote the connection. Studios might do this for legal reasons, to reimagine a story, or to appeal to a wider audience. This leads to a number of films that are actually sequels or part of a larger universe, but many viewers treat them as original stories. Here are fifteen examples, with explanations of how they connect to earlier films.

‘The Road Warrior’ (1981)

This film was released in many areas without mentioning the main character’s name in the title, despite being a direct sequel to ‘Mad Max’. It continues the story of the original film, revisiting the same character and world while building upon the desolate landscape we first saw. The marketing team downplayed the ‘sequel’ aspect to make it easier for new audiences to start watching, and in some places, it was even presented as the very first film, which caused some confusion.

‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)

As a huge fan of the Hannibal Lecter saga, I always explain this film as a continuation of the story that began with ‘Manhunter’. ‘Manhunter’ adapted the first novel, ‘Red Dragon’, but with a different actor playing Lecter. Because of rights issues and some casting changes, this film feels like a reboot for a lot of people, even though it actually continues the story as written in Thomas Harris’ books. If you follow the characters and the timeline between both movies, you’ll quickly see how they connect – it’s all one ongoing narrative!

‘U.S. Marshals’ (1998)

This movie is a continuation of ‘The Fugitive,’ following Deputy Marshal Samuel Gerard and his team as they pursue a new fugitive. It builds on the original story with familiar faces and references the previous case, but centers on the hunt itself, rather than the person being pursued. Essentially, it’s a sequel that focuses on the law enforcement team.

‘Split’ (2016)

This story is secretly connected to the movie ‘Unbreakable’, and that link becomes clear at the very end. A character from ‘Unbreakable’ reappears, confirming that both stories take place in the same realistic world of superhero-like characters. The same ideas and rules about how these special abilities work are carried over. This eventually led to another movie, ‘Glass’, which continued the story and brought the two worlds together.

‘The Color of Money’ (1986)

This film revisits Fast Eddie Felson, the pool player from ‘The Hustler’, decades after his initial rise and fall. It follows Eddie as he mentors a new, young player and adapts to the changing world of professional pool. While the director and actors are different, the movie stays true to Eddie’s original story and character development.

‘The Cat Returns’ (2002)

This new film is a continuation of ‘Whisper of the Heart,’ sharing the same imaginative world. It revisits Baron and Muta, characters originally created as art within the first movie, and expands on their story. What started as a short film idea grew into a full-length feature that dives into the cats’ unique world. Fans will recognize familiar designs, names, and the charming kingdom they inhabit, ensuring a clear connection to the original.

‘Zathura: A Space Adventure’ (2005)

This movie exists in the same world as ‘Jumanji’ since both are based on books by Chris Van Allsburg. Like ‘Jumanji’, the story centers around a game, but instead of a jungle, the action takes place in space. You don’t need to have seen the original ‘Jumanji’ to enjoy this film, but it uses similar ideas about taking turns, facing the results of your actions, and how reality can change. It feels like a follow-up story built on the same concepts as the first film.

‘Troll 2’ (1990)

Despite sharing a title, this story isn’t connected to the original ‘Troll’ and was made by a completely different team. The name was simply chosen to attract attention, but the story itself focuses on goblins, a new town, and a different family. It was marketed as a sequel, but there’s no continuation of the original characters or plot. This explains why viewers hoping to see familiar faces will be disappointed.

‘The Suicide Squad’ (2021)

This story picks up after the events of ‘Suicide Squad,’ but introduces a fresh take with a new team. While some characters and their backstories return, including the person overseeing the team and key members, it’s clear this story takes place in the same universe as before. It feels like a fresh start, but still continues the overall story arc.

‘Ocean’s Eight’ (2018)

This movie takes place in the same universe as the ‘Ocean’s’ films, focusing on Danny Ocean’s sister, Debbie. It includes appearances and references to the original heist team and their adventures. Like its predecessors, the film revolves around careful planning, clever distractions, and teamwork, but introduces a new crew and a new target, making it both familiar and exciting.

‘A Shot in the Dark’ (1964)

As a huge fan of the Pink Panther films, I always enjoyed this second installment. It’s funny because even though it doesn’t have ‘Pink Panther’ in the title, it really builds on what made the first movie work. We get more of Inspector Clouseau’s hilarious mishaps, and it starts to really establish the supporting characters and running gags that would become so iconic throughout the series. What’s great is you don’t need to have seen the first film to enjoy it – it stands perfectly well on its own. Of course, keeping Peter Sellers as Clouseau was brilliant for maintaining a consistent feel.

‘The Bourne Legacy’ (2012)

This story continues after the events of the first three Bourne films, but follows a new operative. It connects to the previous movies by referencing programs like Treadstone and showing the lasting effects of what happened before. Familiar intelligence officials return, tying together the different investigations across all the films, and the new plot explores the consequences of past secret operations being revealed.

‘The Wolverine’ (2013)

Following the events of ‘X-Men: The Last Stand,’ this film shows what happens in Logan’s life afterward. It deals with past tragedies and important relationships, then sends him on a new adventure overseas. A scene after the credits clearly hints at the next team-up movie and confirms this film’s place within the larger story. Essentially, it develops Logan’s personal story between the bigger group adventures.

‘Doctor Sleep’ (2019)

This film is a sequel to ‘The Shining,’ following Danny Torrance as an adult. It revisits familiar places and psychic abilities from the original story, tying up loose ends and exploring the lasting impact of the trauma he experienced as a child. The movie includes visual and musical references to both Stephen King’s novel and the first film adaptation.

‘Prometheus’ (2012)

This film acts as a backstory to the ‘Alien’ series, though it’s also presented as a standalone science fiction story. It delves into how the creatures and technology from the original films came to be. Connections through companies, ship designs, and biological traits clearly establish its place in the ‘Alien’ universe, and the ending directly leads into the events of the first films.

Tell us about any surprising sequels to movies or games that you think are hidden gems! Share your favorites in the comments and let us know what connections between them really stood out to you.

2025-11-04 15:15