Did the sequels hold up?
How film series are rated movie by movie, from the original to the latest sequel.
Most popular
The film series with the most ratings on IMDb.
Marvel Cinematic Universe
All downhill after Avengers: Infinity War
2008 7.9±0.02026 7.9
The Infinity Saga
Peaked with Avengers: Infinity War
2008 7.9−0.62019 7.3
Batman in film
Peaked with The Dark Knight
1966 6.5−0.12023 6.4
Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase Three
Peaked with Avengers: Infinity War
2016 7.8−0.52019 7.3
Star Wars
Ran out of steam
1977 8.6−2.32019 6.3
X-Men
All downhill after Logan
2000 7.3+0.22024 7.5
Best over time
Highest average across all movies, at least three of them.
The Lord of the Rings
Rock steady
2001 8.9+0.12003 9.0
The Godfather
Never topped the original
1972 9.2−1.71990 7.5
The Dark Knight trilogy
Peaked with The Dark Knight
2005 8.2+0.22012 8.4
Star Wars original trilogy
Rock steady
1977 8.6−0.31983 8.3
Dollars Trilogy
Saved the best for last
1964 7.9+0.91966 8.8
Peter Jackson's Middle-earth film series
Ran out of steam
2001 8.9−1.52014 7.4
Better than the original
A sequel came along that beat the first movie.
Batman in film
Peaked with The Dark Knight
1966 6.5−0.12023 6.4
The Multiverse Saga
Peaked with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
2023 6.0+0.82025 6.8
Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase Five
Peaked with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
2023 6.0+1.12025 7.1
Wolverine
Getting better with age
2009 6.5+1.02024 7.5
Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase Four
Peaked with Spider-Man: No Way Home
2021 6.6±0.02022 6.6
Star Trek
Getting better with age
1979 6.4+0.62016 7.0
Should have stopped at one
Every sequel fell well short of the original.
Jaws
Never topped the original
1975 8.1−5.01987 3.1
The Exorcist
Never topped the original
1973 8.1−3.32023 4.8
Highlander
Never topped the original
1986 7.0−2.42000 4.6
Escape Plan
Never topped the original
2013 6.7−2.32019 4.4
Halloween
Never topped the original
1978 7.7−2.92009 4.8
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Never topped the original
1974 7.4−2.42017 5.0
Back on form
Lost their way in the middle, then won the audience back.
Dragon Ball
Peaked with Dragon Ball Super: Broly
1986 6.6+0.52022 7.1
American Pie
Never topped the original
1999 7.0−0.32012 6.7
Batman in film
Peaked with The Dark Knight
1966 6.5−0.12023 6.4
James Bond
Peaked with Casino Royale
1962 7.2+0.12021 7.3
Star Trek
Getting better with age
1979 6.4+0.62016 7.0
Frankenstein
Saved the best for last
1931 7.7+0.31974 8.0
One sequel too many
The latest movie landed far below everything before it.
Batman
Never topped the original
1989 7.5−3.71997 3.8
Jaws
Never topped the original
1975 8.1−5.01987 3.1
Home Alone
Never topped the original
1990 7.8−3.21997 4.6
Jeepers Creepers
Never topped the original
2001 6.3−3.72022 2.6
Die Hard
Never topped the original
1988 8.2−3.02013 5.2
Ice Age
Never topped the original
2002 7.5−3.12022 4.4
Diminishing returns
Every movie rated lower than the one before.
Jaws
Never topped the original
1975 8.1−5.01987 3.1
Batman
Never topped the original
1989 7.5−3.71997 3.8
Jeepers Creepers
Never topped the original
2001 6.3−3.72022 2.6
Home Alone
Never topped the original
1990 7.8−3.21997 4.6
Police Academy
Never topped the original
1984 6.7−3.21994 3.5
The Matrix series
Never topped the original
1999 8.7−3.12021 5.6