Top 10 Movie Sequels of 2019 So Far
“Annabelle Comes Home” (2019)
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2014’s “Annabelle” might’ve been a low point for The Conjuring Universe, but “Annabelle: Creation” significantly upped the ante and the thrills. The creepy doll’s latest big screen outing falls somewhere in the middle. “Annabelle Comes Home” is by no means a game changer for the horror genre or even this particular franchise, but it is a solid popcorn flick with just enough jump-out-of-your-seat moments. Although demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren are present, the focus is mainly shifted to their young daughter Judy, played by Mckenna Grace. Along with her co-stars, Madison Iseman and Katie Sarife, Grace carries a strong ensemble that supplies the film with a beating heart. Then of course there’s Annabelle herself, who’s always good for a few scares.
“Happy Death Day 2U” (2019)
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“Happy Death Day” was a bit like “Groundhog Day” meets “Friday the 13th,” putting a clever spin on the slasher genre. In “Happy Death Day 2U,” the filmmakers inject a little of “Back to the Future Part II” into the formula, making for a follow-up that’s both similar AND fresh in all the right ways. Jessica Rothe solidifies her scream queen status as Tree Gelbman, who finds herself trapped in another time loop. Rather than just repeating the first movie beat for beat, though, this follow-up takes Tree to some unexpectedly hilarious and even emotional places. The story also finally addresses the origins behind the time loop, giving this second chapter a purpose in the grand scheme of things.
“Glass” (2019)
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A sequel to “Split,” which in itself was a secret sequel to “Unbreakable,” “Glass” is the final entry in a trilogy we never expected to see. Equal parts sequel and crossover, this superhero thriller unites David Dunn, Kevin Crumb, and Elijah Price as they face their greatest challenge yet: a psychiatric evaluation. The critical reception towards “Glass” was mostly negative and honestly, we’re not sure why. Granted, the film isn’t without pacing issues, but the interactions between these colorful characters and the inventive worldbuilding make for an engaging ride. M. Night Shyamalan is known for shocking endings, but this film delivers several twists for the price of one, leaving us on a final note that actually shows great potential for a fourth installment.
“The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part” (2019)
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While not quite as awesome as its 2014 predecessor, this follow-up to “The Lego Movie” maintains the same surreal humor and surprising emotional weight that made the original so special. The film satirizes everything from “Mad Max: Fury Road” to “Hot Tub Time Machine.” More than anything else, “The Lego Movie 2” is an ingenious sendup of actor Chris Pratt’s career. Pratt turns in a dual voiceover performance as everyman Emmet and Rex Dangervest, a “galaxy-defender, archaeologist, cowboy and raptor trainer.” Basically, it’s as if Andy Dwyer met an amalgamation of Pratt’s action roles, creating a hilarious dynamic. In the midst of all the absurdity is a touching message about family, growing up, and the building blocks of imagination that bridge us all together.
“How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” (2019)
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It’s been nearly a decade since we first met Hiccup, Toothless, and the other residents of Berk. Where most animated characters abide by a strict status quo, the audience can feel the passage of time in “The Hidden World.” Hiccup is no longer a geeky teenager, but a confident leader who’s willing to risk everything for the good of his people and their dragons. The film also provides some welcome development for Toothless, whose passions are ignited by a Light Fury dragon. The stunning animation is matched by the film’s rich atmosphere, amounting to what might be the most beautiful film DreamWorks has ever produced. The true beauty, however, lies within the bond between our main characters as they take their fitting final flight.
“Godzilla: King of the Monsters” (2019)
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The humans remain the least interesting part of the MonsterVerse, and the story is once again nothing spectacular. But that’s not what we’re here for! We’re here to see the most badass kaiju in Toho’s library brought to life through state of the art special effects. While it’s debatable if “King of the Monsters” is better than 2014’s “Godzilla,” it’s most certainly bigger, taking the bombastic action to another level of excitement. Godzilla naturally takes center stage, but he needs to literally fight for his crown with the arrival of King Ghidorah. The filmmakers don’t stop there, introducing Mothra, Rodan, and several others in what’s possibly the most gargantuan monster mash ever put to film. Your move, “Godzilla vs. Kong.”
“Toy Story 4” (2019)
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We’ll admit that part of us went into “Toy Story 4” thinking, “Is another sequel really necessary?” “Toy Story 3” had such a strong sense of finality, making a feature-length continuation seem redundant. If “Toy Story 4” teaches us anything, though, it’s that nobody’s story is ever truly over. There are always new adventures to be had, new friends to make, and new lessons to learn. In order to take that next step forward, however, you may need to reconnect with someone from the past. Such is the case for Woody, as Bo Beep re-enters his world and helps put things into perspective. Although Pixar has brought another chapter to a close, the bittersweet ending is just as much a new beginning for our characters.
“John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” (2019)
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Between his hilarious voiceover work as Duke Caboom, and his return as John Wick, Keanu Reeves is a worthy contender for Performer of the Year. “John Wick: Chapter 3” doesn’t just raise the stakes for the titular assassin, but also raises the bar for the action genre. Rather than settling for mindless escapism, this sequel is staged and choreographed with the same artistry and passion you’d find at a ballet… a ballet with guns, knives, and killer dogs! In an era where so many blockbusters are over-reliant on CGI, this franchise continues to make a compelling case for good old-fashioned practical effects and stunt work. This gives every over-the-top set piece a hint of realism, making us feel the pain in the best ways.
"Spider-Man: Far From Home” (2019)
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With the Infinity Saga officially wrapped up, the MCU is sure to bring major changes going forward. Likewise, Peter Parker must juggle several life changes in “Spider-Man: Far From Home,” learning the hard way that crime-fighting never takes a vacation. In “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” Peter was an eager young hero who wanted to swing his way to the big leagues. Now that his time to step up has come, however, Peter begins to reconsider if he can handle the power or the responsibility. Since Peter is wrestling with growing pains, it’s only appropriate that “Far From Home” feels larger in scale and more adult in its themes. Just as Tom Holland is maturing as an actor, this version of Spidey is growing up quite nicely.
“Avengers: Endgame” (2019)
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As much as we love the original “Avengers,” it was essentially a trial run compared to this grand finale. In addition to being a follow-up to “Avengers: Infinity War,” “Endgame” serves as the culmination of everything the MCU has worked towards. Marvel didn’t disappoint its legion of fans, bringing several ongoing storylines to a deserved conclusion. With a runtime of roughly 3 hours and a cast big enough to fill a sports arena, “Endgame” should be too ambitious for its own good. Since Marvel dedicated over a decade to these characters, though, nothing about “Endgame” comes off as overstuffed or unearned. This isn’t just 2019’s best sequel so far, but one that audiences are going to look back on as a pivotal landmark in cinema.
