Everyone knows sequels are never as good as the originals — except that every once in awhile, they actually are. In fact, some sequels turn out to be even better than the films that preceded them. These sequels all surpassed the franchise installments they followed — and some are now considered classics in their own right.

The list:

Spider-Man 2 – 0:17
The Empire Strikes Back – 0:56
Captain America: The Winter Soldier – 1:42
The Dark Knight – 2:21
The Godfather Part II – 3:00
The Road Warrior – 3:48
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes – 4:22
Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan – 5:02
Addams Family Values – 5:48
X-Men 2 – 6:43
Back to the Future 2 – 7:32
Terminator 2: Judgment Day – 8:16
Blade II – 9:05
Evil Dead 2 – 9:36

[Looper]