Has there ever been a movie sequel that was as good as (or even better than) the original? Better yet, has there ever been a third episode that was any good at all?

 

Seems to me, the progression goes: 1. Awesome 2. Weak Effort 3. Terrible

 

The only exception I can think of is The Godfather trilogy.

I think Home Alone 2 was better than the 1st. The 3rd one was awful but that's the only one that came to mind.

Maybe Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Dark Knight Rises.

Wrath of Kahn was 1000% better than Star Trek the Movie

Empire Strikes Back was better than Star Wars or at the very least just as good.

Hangover 3

All the Smokey and the Bandits.

Aliens was very good and so was Rocky II

All the Smokey and the Bandits.

No Way, II is horrible and III is unwatchable, The First is a Classic!!!

Empire Strikes Back was better than Star Wars or at the very least just as good.

Was that the one where they were mostly on a planet riding around two-legged llamas. That one I didn't like a all, for some reason.

Indiana Jones Temple of Doom is solid for a sequel

Jumper_Dad is crushing this thread right now. Spot on with all of them...

 

...except Temple of Doom. Great movie on its own; doesn't even compare to Raiders of the Lost Ark.

I like Airplane 2 better than the original, though both were great.

Maybe Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Dark Knight Rises.

 

Agree on The Dark Knight being better than Batman Begins. I think TDKR was at the same level of Batman Begins.

I like Airplane 2 better than the original.

 

Get out.