25 classic films that made an epic comeback
There have been some great sequels
We all love a good film! So, when one of our favourites from a few decades ago gets a remake (or sequel that's just as good), it's definitely worth a trip to the cinema. In recent years, we've seen some of the biggest movies of all time make a comeback to the big screen, and it's fair to say they haven't left us disappointed!
This year alone, we've had sequels for Freaky Friday, Karate Kid, Happy Gilmore, Mission Impossible and more. So, take a look at some classic titles that have made an epic comeback - whether it re-entered our lives as a sequel with the original cast, or a remake with a whole new cast in the same world we know and love...
Take a look through some fantastic classic films that made an epic comeback:
Top Gun (1986)
Top Gun was originally released back in 1986 with a cast including Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards, and Tom Skerritt.
The film became iconic over the years, along with its soundtrack which includes Berlin's 'Take My Breath Away', the film even got an IMAX 3D re-release in 2013.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
After much anticipation, 36 years after Top Gun, Top Gun: Maverick was released, named after Tom Cruise's character. The film has been a box office smash, with Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer reprising their roles from the first film.
Ghostbusters (1984)
The original Ghostbusters film was released in 1984 spawning spin-off computer games, a TV series and comics. The film starred Bill Murray, Sigourney Weaver and Rick Moranis and was nominated for two Oscars in 1985 for Best Original Song and Best Visual Effects.
Ghostbuster: Afterlife (2021 & 2024)
Set in the current day, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts, and Sigourney Weaver reprised their roles from the previous Ghostbusters films.
Despite being the fourth film in the Ghostbusters franchise, the film is set after the events of Ghostbusters II, which was released in 1989. In this film, a single mum (daughter of original Ghostbuster Egon Spengler), moves to a farm in Oklahoma which she's inherited from her estranged father.
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure was the first film in the Bill & Ted franchise, starring Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter and George Carlin. The film saw Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reeves) travel through time to meet historical figures and get them to together for a history presentation.
Bill & Ted Face The Music (2020)
More than 30 years after the original (and 29 years after the first sequel, Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey), Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter reunited for another. The film followed the pair on a mission to unite humanity before space-time was destroyed.
Charlie’s Angels (2000)
The 2000 Charlie's Angels film starring Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and Lucy Liu was a continuation of the 1970s TV show. John Forsythe once again took on the role of the unseen character Charlie, having previously played the part in the TV series.
Charlie’s Angels (2019)
Nineteen years later, Charlie's Angels was brought back to the big screen, this time with Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, and Ella Balinska. The film once again continues on from the story started back in the 70s in the TV show, and in the two previous feature films.
The film's soundtrack included 'Don't Call Me Angel', performed by Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus, and Lana Del Rey.
Dune (1984)
Directed by David Lynch (Mulholland Drive) and based on a novel of the same name, Dune wasn't particularly successful at the box office, but it did develop a cult following, which continues to this day.
Dune (2021 & 2024)
Also called Dune: Part One, the 2021 Dune film is the first part of an adaption of the original 1965 novel, which the 1984 film was also based on. The films stars Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson and Zendaya.
The film follows the story of a gifted young man called Paul Atreides 'born into a great destiny beyond his understanding'. Paul must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to make sure his people have a future.
Total Recall (1990)
Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rachel Ticotin, and Sharon Stone, the 1990 film Total Recall was very successful, winning an Oscar for Best Visual Effects. It also received two other nominations for Best Sound and Best Sound Effects Editing.
Total Recall (2012)
Based on the 1990 film, the 2012 film starred Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale and Jessica Biel. However, this time, rather than being on Mars, the movie was set on a dystopian Earth.
Blade Runner (1982)
The original Blade Runner film, released in 1982 starred Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard and was based on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, written by Philip K. Dick, who also wrote the novel Total Recall was based on.
The film was nominated for a number of awards and took home British Academy Film Awards for Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, and Best Production Design.
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
When Blade Runner returned in 2017 for a sequel, as Blade Runner 2049, Harrison Ford reprised his role as Rick Deckard, and Edward James Olmos also reprised his role of Detective Gaff, alongside Ryan Gosling as K / Joe.
The Matrix (1999)
If you cast your mind back to 1999 then one of the biggest films of the year was The Matrix with its groundbreaking bullet time effects. Starring Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss along with Laurence Fishburne, the film was the start of several successful films in the franchise.
The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
Reprising their roles as Neo and Trinity, Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss returned 20 years after the first film for The Matrix Resurrections.
Star Wars (1977)
Star Wars, released in 1977 and retrospectively called Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, was the first of the epic saga. Despite questions over whether the film would be successful, it went on to be very successful and now, more than 40 years later, the franchise is still going strong.
Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
There have been many sequels and prequels over the years, but the most recent release in the Star Wars universe is Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker. Starring Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, and John Boyega, The Rise of Skywalker was the last in the Skywalker saga films.
Scream (1996)
Starring David Arquette, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and Drew Barrymore, Scream was a teen favourite when it was released in 1996. The film and its actors were nominated for many awards, with Neve Campbell winning a Saturn Award for Best Actress, where Scream also won Best Horror Film and Kevin Williamson won Best Writing.
Scream (2022)
Also called Scream 5, Scream released in 2022 was billed as a relaunch of the film series, however its events follow on from that of Scream 4, released in 2011.
Courteney Cox, David Arquette and Neve Campbell reprised their roles in the movie which introduces Melissa Barrera as Sam Carpenter, who is the daughter of Billy Loomis' played Skeet Ulrich, as in the original film.
Mad Max (1979)
More than four decades ago, Mad Max was released starring Mel Gibson as Max Rockatansky, a police officer who becomes a vigilante, set in a dystopian world. The film won several Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards (AACTA Awards) for Best Editing, Best Original Music Score, Best Sound and Special Award for Stunt Work.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Mad Max: Fury Road was the fourth Mad Max film and became a reboot of the original films, starring Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron and Nicholas Hoult. The film also starred Riley Keough, Elvis Presley's granddaughter.
The film was even more successful than the original, winning six Academy Awards and 10 AACTA Awards.
Trainspotting (1996)
Directed by Danny Boyle and starring Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd, Robert Carlyle, and Kelly Macdonald, Trainspotting was nominated for two BAFTA Film Awards with John Hodge winning Best Adapted Screenplay.
T2 Trainspotting (2017)
Released more than two decades after the original film, T2 Trainspotting starred the original cast alongside Anjela Nedyalkova playing a new character Veronika.
Once again directed by Danny Boyle, the film won three BAFTA Scotland Awards, for Best Feature Film, Best Director (Fiction) and Ewen Bremner won Best Actor in Film, over his co-stars Robert Carlyle and Ewan McGregor.
Hocus Pocus (1993)
Starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as a villainous comedic trio of witches, Hocus Pocus - released in 1993 - has become a cult classic. Directed by Kenny Ortega, the film is now a certified Halloween staple.
Hocus Pocus 2 (2022)
Fans were elated when it was confirmed that the cult classic film Hocus Pocus was returning for a sequel. Aptly titled Hocus Pocus 2, the film was released on 30th September 2022 and saw the treacherous sisters return to Salem, with a hilarious modern twist.
Practical Magic (1998)
Released back in 1998, Practical Magic - starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman - became a cult classic, winning a Blockbuster Entertainment Award.
Practical Magic 2 (pending)
A sequel to the classic film is reportedly in the works - titled Practical Magic 2 - with both Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman thought to be set to return. The sequel is thought to be set 25 years after the events of the first film, following characters Sally and Gillian as they deal with the effects of a long-forgotten family curse. Reports suggest Practical Magic 2 will be with us by 2025.
Beetlejuice (1988)
The quirky, supernatural comedy that is Beetlejuice, starring the likes of Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder and Catherine O'Hara, was released back in 1988. A critical and commercial success, resonating with fans of all ages, the Tim Burton film quickly became a cult classic.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
Tim Burton returned to direct the long-awaited Beetlejuice sequel, which was released in September 2024. The film saw the Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder and Catherine O'Hara, alongside new faces such as Wednesday's Jenna Ortega. With Winona reprising her role as Lydia Deetz, Jenna Ortega joined the cast as her daughter, Astrid.
Gladiator (2000)
Gladiator was released in May 2000, starring Russell Crowe as Maximus, Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus and Connie Nielsen as Lucilla. Both critically and commercially, the film was a monumental success, becoming the the second highest-grossing film of 2000. A memorable cinematic piece, Gladiator was awarded five Academy Awards - including Best Picture and Best Actor for Russell Crowe.
Gladiator 2 (2024)
2024 saw the iconic movie land a long-awaited sequel - with the storyline following that of Lucius Verus, who we last saw as a young child in the original film. Normal People star Paul Mescal took on the role of Lucius, with Connie Nielsen returning to her role of his mother, Lucilla. Other starring cast members include the likes of Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal and Joseph Quinn.
Inside Out (2015)
Starring the voices of Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Richard Kind, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, Mindy Kaling, Kaitlyn Dias, Diane Lane, and Kyle MacLachlan, Inside Out is an animation depicting the emotions inside a little girl called Riley's head.
Inside Out 2 (2024)
Nine years after the release of the first film, Riley is older and the original emotions are joined by some new emotions, as Riley experiences her teenage years. The film sees Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Diane Lane, and Kyle MacLachlan reprise their roles, with the addition of Hits Radio's Sam Thompson as Security Man Sam, in the UK version of the film.
Twister (1996)
Way back in 1996, Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, Jami Gertz and Cary Elwes, starred in Twister. The film centred around a group storm chasers as they try to deploy a tornado research device.
Twisters (2024)
Nearly 30 years after the original film was released, a standalone sequel, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell and Anthony Ramos was released. The film sees Kate Carter (Daisy) as a meteorologist and former storm chaser. Five years after her friends, including her boyfriend, were killed by a tornado, she reunites with another friend who works as a storm chaser in Oklahoma.
Jurassic Park (1993)
Released in 1993, Jurassic Park was groundbreaking at its time for the CGI used to create the dinosaurs, something we don't think twice about these days. The film featured Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum and Richard Attenborough.
Jurassic World Rebirth (2025)
There have been a number of sequels to the original Jurassic Park film, but the most recent is the 2025 Jurassic World Rebirth film, starring Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Luna Blaise, David Iacono, Audrina Miranda, Philippine Velge, Bechir Sylvain and Ed Skrein.
The film is set five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion (2022) when the planet's ecology has proven largely inhospitable to dinosaurs.
Mission Impossible (1996)
Following on from the 1966 TV show and its subsequent TV revival, the first film of the franchise was released in 1996, starring Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt.
The dance remix of the original theme tune was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance.
Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning (2025)
Following the original Mission Impossible film back in 1996, there have been seven sequels, the last being Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning, released in May 2025. This is the final movie from the Mission Impossible franchise and sees Tom Cruise, along with Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg and Vanessa Kirby reprise their roles in the blockbuster film.
The Karate Kid (1984)
The Karate Kid follows teenager Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), who moves to California and is bullied by students from the Cobra Kai dojo. With help from Mr Miyagi (Pat Morita), a humble but wise karate master, Daniel learns self-defence and discipline and triumphs in a karate tournament, earning respect.
Karate Kid Legends (2025)
Following several sequels in 1986, 1989 and 1994, the first film was then remade in 2010 starring Jackie Chan. 15 years later in 2025, Karate Kid Legends was released starring Jackie Chan, along with Ralph Macchio reprising his role as Daniel LaRusso and introducing Ben Wang.
Happy Gilmore
Way back in 1996, Adam Sandler starred as the title role in the iconic film Happy Gilmore. The film saw Adam's character, a failed ice hockey player, realise he is actually a pretty good shot in golf. Competing in paid tournaments, he raises money to save his grandmother's house from closure.
Happy Gilmore 2
Nearly 30 years after the original film, the second Happy Gilmore movie was released on Netflix, starring Adam Sandler in his iconic role of Happy Gilmore. The film featured several cameos including the likes of Eminem, Post Malone, Bad Bunny, Margaret Qualley and Travis Kelce.
Freaky Friday (2003)
Itself a remake, back in 2003 Freaky Friday starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan was released. The film followed the story of the previous 1976 and 1995 films, and saw mum and daughter swap bodies following the magic of Chinese fortune cookies.
Freakier Friday (2025)
More than 20 years after the 2003 film starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, the pair reunited to reprise their roles as Tess Coleman (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Anna Coleman (Lindsay Lohan as Tess' daughter) in Freakier Friday.
28 Days Later (2002)
In 2002, Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later, starring Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris and Christopher Eccleston, was hugely popular. The film followed a bicycle courier (Cillian) who awakes up from a coma to find that a virus has escaped and broken down society.
28 Years Later (2025)
Following the original film back in 2002, the first sequel 28 Weeks Later, was made just five years later in 2007. Starring Robert Carlyle, Rose Byrne and Jeremy Renner, the film was set just over six months after the events of the first film and followed the United States-led NATO forces as they establish a safe zone in London.
A massive 23 years after the original film was released, another sequel was released called 28 Years Later. The film, starring Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Jack O'Connell, follows a new story in the world of the original film. A group of survivors from the original virus live on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily-defended causeway.
Following 28 Years Later, another sequel called 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is set for release in January 2026, after it was shot back-to-back with the 2025 sequel.
Fantastic Four (2005)
The Fantastic Four film was released back in 2005 and followed the origin story of the team made up of Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic (Ioan Gruffudd), Sue Storm / Invisible Woman (Jessica Alba), Johnny Storm / Human Torch (Chris Evans) and Ben Grimm / The Thing (Michael Chiklis).
The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
Over the years there have been several sequels and reboots to the original 2005 film. In 2025, The Fantastic Four: First Steps was released starring Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm / Invisible Woman), Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm / The Thing) and Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm / Human Torch).
The film served as the 37th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It was also the second reboot of the Fantastic Four film series.
In the next few years we can look forward to sequels and remakes of Avatar, Bend It Like Beckham, Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Devil Wears Prada.
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