When it comes to blockbuster films, sequels always tend to dominate the competition. From a broad perspective, this idea makes perfect sense. If a big-budget film is successful in theaters, studios will stop at nothing to build a franchise around it. Consequently, the popular source material is expanded into a larger story that only grows with each release. Several highly anticipated 2025 film sequels are sure to reinforce this trend.
The prequel films are a different ballgame because they often require a unique approach. It is generally easier to create new content than to create old stories within a pre-existing context. Considering the most successful works of this genre Star Wars largely controlled the charts. George Lucas crafted a universe with so much potential, and unsurprisingly, there are several new Star Wars films that will be released in the coming years. However, many other films of this nature presented strong numbers and deserve to be highlighted.
10
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)
Worldwide gross: $811,724,385
Given the fact that Harry Potter is one of the biggest film and book franchises of all time, there was no doubt that a prequel would turn heads. There are many misconceptions surrounding how the tradition of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them connects to Harry Potter universe. While a quick Google search might suggest that the 2016 film was based on a novel of the same name, that's not quite the case.
The prequel content is based on a fictional book that Potter acquired in the story world. After the fame of her first novel, JK Rowling became Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in a textbook-style reading, on which the film was based. Despite not being a direct adaptation, the film did a good job of capturing some of the magic presented in the original series. What's next for the Harry Potter franchise is still unclear, but there have been significant discussions.
9
Wonder Woman (2017)
Worldwide gross: $817,691,766
DC doesn't have the greatest track record when it comes to making blockbuster superhero movies, but with Wonder Womanthey knocked it out of the park. Although it has the format of an independent project, the plot is a prequel to Batman V. Superman and the later Justice League films from the universe where the hero is present. The film had strong box office numbers and brought a breath of fresh air to the genre.
Gal Gadot was the ideal actress for the role and embodied the character perfectly. Her chemistry with Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) provides a light-hearted tone that complements the witty narrative. Instead of relying on the traditional superhero formula, the film focuses on the quality of the story at the expense of excessive visual effects. Wonder Woman has an upcoming prequel series of its own, titled Paradise Lost.
8
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Worldwide gross: $848,998,877
THE Star Wars Prequels tend to be a touchy subject for fans of the franchise. Most of the time, people either love them or are completely against the premise. Their reception has been negative for years and they have only become widely popular recently. Despite the poor feedback, there was no doubt that more Star Wars films would result in crazy box office numbers.
In consideration of the prequels, Revenge of the Sith It is often referred to as being the best. It doesn't overshadow its source material, but it certainly stands out from the crowd. After the first two installments, fans were excited to see Anakin (Hayden Christensen) finally transform into Darth Vader. Although the story could have been crafted more carefully, the film remains iconic. Criticisms aside, episode three provides an epic finale to the trilogy that ends in a legendary battle.
7
Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)
Worldwide gross: $937,427,564
After the release of Despicable Me In 2010, no one expected the film to grow so much. What started as a simple, light-hearted animated story has become a huge global sensation, inspiring theme park rides, merchandise and spin-offs. To date, there are six films in the franchise, with Despicable Me 4 being the most recent installment.
The events of the 2015 prequel Minions depict the hilarious origins of the beloved yellow and Minions: The Rise of Gru the plot continues. Set in the 1970s, the story follows a young Gru (Steve Carell) as he tries to enter the supervillain lifestyle. When things go wrong for him, he is forced to flee with his little companions. There were several directions the creators could have gone in, but overall, it's a feel-good film that captures the essence of the original very well.
6
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
Worldwide gross: $940,323,039
It is a difficult task to follow the masterful Lord of the Rings ​​​​​​film adaptations. However, JRR Tolkien The Hobbit It's so incredible that it would be a missed opportunity not to try it. Although there had been talk of possible prequel plans for years, the story finally hit the screen in 2012 with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. With Peter Jackson at the helm of the ship, the project was definitely in good hands.
While the films don't hold a candle to their shared franchise, they deserve much more credit. THE Hobbit ​​​​​trilogy was finally completed after the release of The Battle of the Five Armies. In an epic confrontation, the film brings together the events of the first two episodes into a huge war in Middle Earth. The fact that the trilogy's grand finale made less money may be indicative of the poor reception, but the profits were still huge.
5
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
Worldwide gross: $959,358,436
The second installment of the franchise, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug It is without a doubt the best work in the series. While the ratings are heavily opinionated, most generally agree that the first two films reign supreme over the third. An unexpected journey it perfectly set up the structure for the second film. It's no surprise that the blockbuster sequel made huge waves in theaters, grossing nearly a billion dollars.
Smaug and the limitless wealth behind the sealed doors of Erebor are easily some of the coolest features of Middle Earth, and that's what this prequel is all about. Although the pace is slower, the settings are incredible and the story of Thorin and Company moves forward in an entertaining style. Benedict Cumberbatch, who has several upcoming films, also does an excellent job playing the formidable dragon Smaug.
4
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
Worldwide gross: US$1,014,938,545
Peter Jackson The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey kicked off Lord of the Ring prequel franchise with a valiant effort. Before a teaser was even announced, it was already clear that any attempt at a film adaptation would receive backlash. After all, how can anyone keep up with a trilogy that received a total of 17 Oscars? Despite the high stakes, Jackson accepted the challenge and delivered. An unexpected journey It's far from perfect, but it's an objectively strong attempt to bring the story to life.
The studio made the right choice in deciding to keep the previous cast members in their original roles. Martin Freeman was a smart choice for Bilbo Baggins, and his witty portrayal elevates the quality of the plot. The film was a huge box office success, grossing over a billion dollars worldwide, the highest in the franchise. More Middle Earth content will come in the future with The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.
3
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
Worldwide gross: US$1,046,515,409
After George Lucas created one of the most creative, iconic, and fascinating fictional universes, there was no doubt that a backstory would be in the works. Lucas originally wanted the epic saga to be portrayed across a generation, and the prequels allowed him to do that. Love them or hate them, the first three episodes of Star Wars ​​​​​​are an important part of the franchise and contain many memorable moments.
Most of the reaction against Episode I – The Phantom Menace stems from issues related to plot and pacing. Oftentimes, the political aspect of the narrative makes it feel like the story gets tediously stuck in its tracks. In addition to these issues, the film established important character development and world-building qualities for future titles. Upon its release, the film was a huge success in theaters and currently ranks 4th in the Star Wars movie box office ratings.
2
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Worldwide gross: US$1,055,083,596
When it comes to the vast Star Wars universe, the original films created enough potential pipelines to keep the franchise busy for the next hundred years. Rogue One it was the first attempt to present an independent film and the results were much better than expected. Although THE Force Awakens was a solid reboot effort filled with familiar faces, Rogue One took things in a new direction with style.
The prequel takes place in the weeks leading up to A New Hope, following the story of Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) and other resistance fighters as they attempt to steal the Death Star plans. From start to finish, the plot balances action and emotion to create an emotional and sincere story. The story does a particularly good job of walking the line between nostalgic and new content. The events and characters are new, but have roots in the franchise's history. Some claim that Rogue One It's the best of the Disney era Star Wars film, which is an understandable choice.
1
Minions (2015)
Worldwide gross: US$1,157,271,759
Minions represent an interesting example in the context of prequels. Instead of initially focusing on the life of Gru himself, the creators decided to introduce the origins of his lovable henchmen. When it comes to blockbuster movies, it never hurts to have some kind of spectacle, and Minions was the perfect choice. This light-hearted story tells the story of how these little yellow servants came to be.
Truth be told, Minions It wasn't as good as yours Despicable Me original material, but it's still a fun, light-hearted comedy that plays with its absurdity. It currently holds the title of the highest-grossing prequel ever created and has inspired more episodes of the franchise. There are many types of Minions in Despicable Me films, and this film clarifies how comic creatures work. Although it could have been better in some areas, Minions was a beneficial addition to the series.