Prequels tend to either ruin or enhance movie franchises, and there is rarely any in-between, but some of the best prequel movies can end up becoming better than their predecessors. As prequels tend to follow iconic characters who are often mysterious, it’s easy to stretch the lore paper-thin or force a story that makes no sense. This has been the case for decades, as franchise such as Stars Wars has mined the entire universe for spin-offs, including critically scathed prequels such as Solo: A Star Wars Story. However, some studios tastefully develop prequels that add to the series’ quality, and even Star Wars has had some decent prequels too.
The best prequels brilliantly build the movie world further and even cast a critical eye on problems with the original series, and they can sometimes even reinvigorate a stale franchise. When it comes to some of the prequels, audiences don’t even know that they are prequels, as it’s only revealed in throwaway lines. Either way, between a continuation of a surreal cult hit TV series, a live-action prequel to an animated series, and an action blockbuster that totally reinvented the series, the best prequel movies are surprising in the greatest and most refreshing way possible.
15 The Thing (2011)
It’d be easy to believe that 2011’s The Thing is a straight-up remake of the 1982 classic, and in many ways it is. In fact, the movie is so similar to the original that it’s a borderline shot-for-shot remake, and that’s why it was so negatively received upon release. However, there’s no denying that the shocking twist ending was jaw-dropping and totally harrowing, and that’s partly thanks to how the marketing (and the title) hid the fact that The Thing is a prequel to the original movie. The 2011 film ends with a helicopter chasing the thing, which has taken the form of a dog, which is how the original movie begins.
14 The King’s Man (2021)
The best prequel movies almost entirely deviate from the formula that was established in the original movie, and that’s exactly what The King’s Man does. The 2021 movie is a prequel to Kingsman: The Secret Service, which is a knock-off of the James Bond franchise in the best way possible. The 2014 release is full of gadgets and modern espionage, and the 2021 prequel uncovers how the secret service began. The King’s Man still has the typical franchise humor and is typically over the top, but between the period setting and interpolating real-life events, it is more creative and just as entertaining as its predecessor.
13 Bumblebee (2018)
It’s no secret that interest had waned in the Transformers franchise, whether it was the worryingly decreasing box office grosses or the negative receptions from both audiences and critics. The series was in dire need of a lifeline, but that’s exactly what Bumblebee was. While the 2018 movie still contained the franchise’s signature CGI-filled action sequences, it was much more stripped back, much easier to follow, and more importantly, it had an engaging story led by Hailee Steinfeld’s Charlie. Making a prequel was the perfect way to inject some much-needed fanfare into the Transformers series, and Bumblebee quickly became one of the best movie prequels.
12 Cruella (2021)
Though Disney is clearly fully invested in developing live-action remakes, and a 101 Dalmations live-action remake will surely be developed eventually (the 1996 Glenn Close-starring movie has disappeared into obscurity), Disney opted for a villain origin story instead. The reception of the movie was mixed when it came to the narrative, as it’s nigh-impossible to humanize a woman who takes pleasure in skinning puppies. However, Cruella is endlessly rewatchable thanks to Emma Stone’s performance of the character alone, as she totally disappears into the role. In years’ time, Stone’s performance will undoubtedly be seen as the definitive version of Cruella.
11 Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (1992)
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me is unique given that it’s a movie continuation of the TV series Twin Peaks. Twin Peaks is a mystery thriller that follows a detective trying to solve the murder of Laura Palmer. The movie is set during the days before Laura’s death, but in true David Lynch fashion, it isn’t that straightforward. Even to die-hard fans of the series, the movie doesn’t totally make sense, as a lot was cut (so much that the deleted scenes were released as the movie, The Missing Pieces). However, the surreal continuation of the show is a spectacle that strangely doesn’t need to be understood to be enjoyed.
10 Monsters University (2013)
Pixar almost released a traditional sequel to Monsters Inc, which would have been called Monsters Inc: Lost in Scaradise. However, the beloved animated studio instead looked backward, and the result was a less heartfelt be still very enjoyable animated comedy. Monsters University is essentially Pixar’s version of a college comedy like Old School or Van Wilder, as it follows Mike and Sully trying to balance university work and having a social life. The original movie might still be the superior of the two films, but Monsters University, ironically, has way more laughs, and it’s one of the best prequel movies.
9 Prometheus (2012)
A lot of answers about not only the origins of the Xenomorph but about higher beings and who created life were expected from Prometheus. Unfortunately, Prometheus couldn’t quite deliver on those fronts, but it did cleverly build the world of the Alien franchise and went in a surprising direction that nobody expected. While the Xenomorph tease at the very end of the movie felt like a studio demand that director Ridley Scott reluctantly tacked on, everything that preceded that is intelligent, profound, and thought-provoking. Prometheus isn’t a horror movie like Alien, nor is it an action movie like Aliens, but it is a layered and smart sci-fi flick.
8 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
Though The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies isn’t as praised, and while The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is only remembered for the titular dragon, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is an unexpectedly pleasant prequel. Unlike other prequels in billion-dollar franchises, the 2012 movie isn’t great simply just because of all the fan service and references to The Lord of the Rings. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey stands on its own, as the first movie introduces all the Hobbits in such a fun and almost wholesome way. Between the positive spirit and being a borderline musical, the prequel has a welcome genre switch-up.
7 Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom (1984)
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Though the fact is largely unknown amongst general audiences, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is actually a prequel to Raiders of the Lost Ark. Given that director Steven Spielberg wanted a Nazi-free sequel, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is surprisingly the darkest of all the films, and that’s why it’s one of the best prequel movies. Upon release, its dark tone and Willie, Indy’s new love interest, were criticized to no end. However, the film has been retrospectively reevaluated, and between the iconic bridge scene and the mining cart chase, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom’s charm is still irresistible.
6 Pearl (2022)
Pearl was released in extremely quick succession following its predecessor, X, both of which were released in 2022. The micro-budget horror film serves as an origin story for the titular character and franchise villain, Pearl. The character desperately wants to become a movie star in Hollywood, which leads to her committing several atrocious and heinous acts. The prequel is more tonally in line with the likes of The Wizard of Oz than The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, which was a huge inspiration behind X, but that just makes the movie way creepier.
5 Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Most of the Star Wars movies made by Disney have been polarizing. Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker is loved by some for the whole gang going on an adventure together, but hated by others for being too full of fan service. Star Wars: The Last Jedi is loved by some for subverting expectations, but hated by others for trying to be too left-field. However, Rogue One, the fantastic standalone story outside of the main saga, briefly united audiences. The whole final hour is a dizzying war in space and when Darth Vader unleashes hell on the rebels, it’s the most horrific moment in Star Wars.
4 Fast Five (2011)
Though the franchise is pivoting back to becoming the series that critics love to hate, as Fast X is rated “rotten,” Fast Five was the movie that revitalized the series by turning it into an explosive high-octane action adventure. Before Fast Five, the Fast and Furious movies were street racing-oriented and struggled to be anything more, but director Justin Lin changed that. Fast Five is a prequel simply because Lin wanted to bring back Han, who died in The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift. Though it causes tons of potholes in the grand scheme of the series timeline, the choice was for the better.
3 X-Men: First Class (2011)
Though Wolverine only appears briefly, he is a big reason why X-Men: First Class is so beloved. The two words he has in the movie make up for one of the funniest cameos in any film ever, but every scene built around it is phenomenal too. The introduction of the younger Professor Xavier and Magneto built on the relationship in unimaginable ways, and it is ultimately, strangely enough, one of the greatest break-up movies of all time. Few prequels are able to tell an origin story of the villain and what motivates them to do bad things as perfectly as X-Men: First Class.
2 The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly (1966)
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Just like with Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, it isn’t totally obvious that The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly is actually a prequel, as the period isn’t all that important to the series’ timeline. The movie precedes the other two movies in The Dollars Trilogy, A Fistful of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More, as The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly is set during the Civil War, whereas the other two are set afterward. All of the movies are great, but the 1996 release isn’t only one of the best prequel movies, but it’s the ultimate Western film.
1 The Godfather Part II (1974)
The Godfather Part II isn’t a complete prequel, as half of the movie sees Michael as the head of the family after taking the throne at the end of the first film. However, the other half of the movie focuses on the origins of Vito Corleone, as it depicts why he moved to America in 1901 and how he built his mafia empire. It’s absolutely fascinating, and though Michael’s story is brilliant, the prequel is what makes The Godfather Part II not only equal to but maybe even better than the original. The Godfather Part II is both one of the best prequel movies ever and the best sequels ever.