Some of the most iconic prequel movies out there have been overlooked for far too long. Whether this is because of a disappointing performance at the box office or because they didn’t connect with audiences as well as the original, prequels have often struggled in theaters and in terms of critical reception. It’s easier for spinoffs or the best legacy movie sequels to carve out their places within the franchise, but prequels often have a more difficult time standing out. However, this also means that many prequels have been reevaluated and hailed as great works of art on their own.
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The best prequel movies of all time often feel less like origin stories and more like natural continuations of the adventures of the previous films. Prequels will often strike a different tone and even break out into another genre to distinguish themselves from the movies they’re based on. This ensures the original work doesn’t overshadow the story. Occasionally, even when a prequel performs well in all avenues, it’s quickly forgotten about when compared to more successful iterations of the franchise.
10 Young Sherlock Holmes (1985)
Directed by Barry Levinson
Young Sherlock Holmes (1985) PG-13AdventureFantasyMystery
Young Sherlock Holmes, directed by Barry Levinson, follows the adventures of a young Sherlock Holmes and John Watson as they meet for the first time at a boarding school, bonding over a shared interest in solving mysteries. Their skills are tested when they investigate a series of mysterious deaths connected to an ancient cult, sharpening their developing detective abilities.
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*Availability in US Director Barry Levinson Release Date December 4, 1985 Writers Arthur Conan Doyle , Chris Columbus Cast Nicholas Rowe , Alan Cox , Sophie Ward , Anthony Higgins , Susan Fleetwood , Freddie Jones , Nigel Stock , Roger Ashton-Griffiths Runtime 109 Minutes
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Young Sherlock Holmes is one of many screen adaptations of the iconic works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but it’s rarely discussed alongside the most famous works. This is a shame, as Young Sherlock Holmes has the spirit of a classic 1980s adventure movie and gives a glimpse into the early relationship between Holmes and Watson. Additionally, Young Sherlock Holmes includes some landmark visual effects and uses of CGI that were revolutionary for the mid-’80s.
While it’s not perfect, there’s plenty to recommend
Young Sherlock Holmes
, and it serves as a great first exposure to Conan Doyle’s work.
The history of Sherlock’s backstory and early years is captivating enough that Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes prequel show has been confirmed. Though the series should stand apart from other iterations of the story, it would be smart to look back at Young Sherlock Holmes and see how the film appealed to younger audiences, immersing them in the classic tales. While it’s not perfect, there’s plenty to recommend Young Sherlock Holmes, and it serves as a great first exposure to Conan Doyle’s work.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Young Sherlock Holmes (1985) |
68% |
63% |
9 Puss In Boots (2011)
Directed by Chris Miller
Puss in Boots PGAdventureAnimationComedy
Puss in Boots (2011) is an animated adventure film from DreamWorks Animation, featuring Antonio Banderas as the voice of the swashbuckling feline hero. The story explores Puss’s pre-Shrek adventures, as he teams up with old friends Humpty Dumpty and Kitty Softpaws, voiced by Zach Galifianakis and Salma Hayek, in a quest to steal the magic beans from Jack and Jill. Directed by Chris Miller, the film blends humor, action, and heart.
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*Availability in US Director Chris Miller Release Date October 28, 2011 Writers Tom Wheeler Cast Antonio Banderas , Salma Hayek Pinault , Zach Galifinakis , Billy Bob Thornton , Amy Sedaris , Constance Marie Runtime 90 minutes
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is the far more popular of the Puss in Boots spinoff movies, but the 2011 prequel paved the way for the smash hit children’s film. The story is set before Puss gets entangled with Shrek and the kingdom of Far Far Away. Despite being a success in theaters and with critics, it has faded from memory in the years since and hasn’t maintained the same legacy as the original Shrek movies. However, the charm and demeanor of Puss is an endearing element of the film that holds up well today.
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Like the Shrek films, Puss in Boots playfully combines and rewrites many of the most famous fairy tale characters like Jack and Jill and Humpty Dumpty, but includes some fun new characters like Puss’ love interest, Kitty Softpaws. One of the best parts of Puss in Boots is the strong vocal performances from the all-star cast, which includes Antonio Banderas reprising his role as Puss and Salma Hayek as Kitty. For an origin story about a secondary character who was introduced in a sequel, Puss in Boots does a great job of captivating the audience.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Puss in Boots (2011) |
86% |
68% |
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8 Oz The Great And Powerful (2013)
Directed by Sam Raimi
Oz the Great and Powerful PGAdventureFantasy
Oz the Great and Powerful, directed by Sam Raimi, is a prequel to the classic Wizard of Oz. James Franco stars as Oscar Diggs, a small-time circus magician who finds himself in the magical land of Oz. There, he encounters three witches, played by Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, and Michelle Williams, who doubt he is the great wizard they’ve been expecting.
Director Sam Raimi Release Date March 8, 2013 Studio(s) Walt Disney Pictures , Roth Films Writers Mitchell Kapner , David Lindsay-Abaire Cast James Franco , Mila Kunis , Rachel Weisz , Michelle Williams , Zach Braff , Bill Cobbs , Joey King , Tony Cox Runtime 130 Minutes Expand
Oz the Great and Powerful chronicles a very different prequel story than the stage musical Wicked, focusing on the arrival of the Wizard of Oz before Dorothy arrives. Adding to the canon of such a beloved story is always controversial, and while audiences and critical reception were underwhelming at the time of its release, it’s fun to look back on the movie. The film boasts an all-star cast featuring James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, and Michelle Williams.
Related Wicked’s Timeline & When It Takes Place Compared To The Wizard Of Oz Explained
Wicked isn’t exactly a conventional prequel, which makes it difficult for fans to place the story within the original Wizard of Oz timeline.
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The director, Sam Raimi, had previously worked on the Evil Dead franchise and the early-2000s Spider-Man films, and Raimi brought his distinctive style and whimsy to the project. Oz the Great and Powerful was a darker, more adventurous take on Oz. It focuses on the fact that even if some of the magic in the world is an illusion, there’s still plenty in the character’s hearts. Its merit comes from being an underrated fantasy prequel that pushes itself to be different from the original material.
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Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Oz the Great and Powerful (2013) |
57% |
56% |
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7 X-Men: First Class (2011)
Directed by Matthew Vaughn
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7.3/10 X-Men: First Class PG-13 Sci-FiActionAdventure
X-Men: First Class charts the epic beginning of the X-Men saga in the 1960s. Before mutants had revealed themselves to the world, and before Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers. Before they were archenemies, they were close friends, working together with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to prevent nuclear Armageddon. In the process, a rift between them opened, beginning the eternal war between Magneto’s Brotherhood and Professor X’s X-Men.
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*Availability in US Director Matthew Vaughn Release Date June 3, 2011 Studio(s) 20th Century Writers Bryan Singer , Matthew Vaughn , Zack Stentz , Jane Goldman , Ashley Miller Cast Jennifer Lawrence , Caleb Landry Jones , Michael Fassbender , Nicholas Hoult , Oliver Platt , Rose Byrne , Michael Ironside , Jason Flemyng , January Jones , Kevin Bacon , Glenn Morshower , James McAvoy , Lucas Till , Edi Gathegi , Zoe Kravitz Runtime 131 minutes Franchise(s) X-Men Expand
Before X-Men: First Class premiered, it was difficult to imagine anyone other than Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen as Professor X and Magneto. However, Matthew Vaughn’s take on the early relationship between the two proved to be a great addition to the franchise. Set during the early 1960s, X-Men: First Class sees Charles and Erik meet and develop a close friendship, which is exciting and tragic, as the audience knows it will end in betrayal and animosity.
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The casting in X-Men: First Class is one of the most inspired parts of the film, as not only do the actors look and behave like their older counterparts, but they also manage to distinguish themselves and are just as compelling. James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender have become just as synonymous with their roles, and X-Men: First Class helped spark an entirely new set of films for the franchise. Though later installments like Days of Future Past and Apocalypse are more explosive, the story at the heart of First Class is the best.
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Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
X-Men: First Class (2011) |
86% |
87% |
6 Red Dragon (2002)
Directed by Brett Ratner
Red Dragon RDramaHorrorCrimeThriller
Red Dragon is the third film starring Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Hannibal “The Cannibal” Lecter but acts as a prequel to the award-winning Silence of the Lambs and 2001’s Hannibal. The film is an adaptation of Thomas Harris’ 1981 novel Red Dragon and centers on Will Graham (Edward Norton) as he hunts the unhinged serial killer Francis Dolarhyde (Ralph Fiennes).
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*Availability in US Director Brett Ratner Release Date October 4, 2002 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Writers Ted Tally Cast Harvey Keitel , Mary-Louise Parker , Anthony Heald , Emily Watson , Anthony Hopkins , Philip Seymour Hoffman , Edward Norton , Ralph Fiennes Runtime 124 minutes Expand
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Red Dragon‘s story might be familiar to those who have watched the Hannibal TV series, as every Hannibal Lecter movie and TV show is in conversation with each other. Though The Silence of the Lambs will likely always be the most famous and critically lauded film in the franchise, Red Dragon shouldn’t fly under the radar. The movie features Anthony Hopkins returning as the terrifying Lecter and sees Edward Norton take on the role of FBI agent Will Graham.
Norton and Hopkins have just as strong a chemistry as Hopkins and Jodie Foster in the earlier film.
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Norton and Hopkins have just as strong a chemistry as Hopkins and Jodie Foster in the earlier film. Red Dragon was better received than the 2001 film Hannibal, which was considered a disappointment after the success of The Silence of the Lambs. Framing the story as a prequel allowed Red Dragon to escape the legacy of The Silence of the Lambs and helped the movie stand on its own. Part of this is because Lecter isn’t an enormous part of the story, as Graham is primarily solving a different mystery throughout the story.
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Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Red Dragon (2002) |
69% |
74% |
5 Prometheus (2012)
Directed by Ridley Scott
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29 8.2/10 Prometheus R Sci-FiHorrorActionAdventureDramaMystery
2012’s Prometheus is the fifth installment in the Alien franchise and was directed by Ridley Scott. Starring Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Idris Elba, and Guy Pearce, the film acts as a direct prequel to 1979’s Alien.
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*Availability in US Director Ridley Scott Release Date June 8, 2012 Studio(s) 20th Century Writers Jon Spaihts , Damon Lindelof Cast Charlize Theron , Noomi Rapace , Idris Elba , Guy Pearce , Michael Fassbender Runtime 124 Minutes Franchise(s) Alien Expand
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Despite being an Alien movie, the fully formed Xenomorph, as audiences have come to know it, doesn’t appear until the final moments of Prometheus. Prometheus was the first Alien movie that the director Ridley Scott had returned to helm since the first film in 1979. Much of the canon and lore surrounding how the Xenomorphs came to be and the history of humanity in the Alien universe is established by Prometheus, which is more of a sci-fi drama rather than a horror movie.
Related Every Alien Prequel, Ranked Worst To Best
Alien is a difficult franchise, and with its complex universe creating room for film disasters, some of its prequel movies are better than others.
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This shift in tone made Prometheus stand apart from the previous movies, in addition to the fact that the story doesn’t unfold within the confines of a spaceship. However, the grand sweeping scale of the film is impressive on its own and is elevated by how ambitious the story is. While Prometheus doesn’t have much in common with the other installments besides its shared universe, this can be viewed as a positive attribute. Prometheus can be watched as a standalone project and still be easily understood.
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Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Prometheus (2012) |
73% |
68% |
4 Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
Directed by George Miller
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16 7.9/10 Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga RAdventure Sci-FiAction
A prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road, Furiosa is an action-adventure film that tells the origin story of the headstrong and fearless Furiosa. Set shortly after the beginning of the “end of the world,” Furiosa is kidnapped and brought before a powerful warlord, now forced to work for him. To find her way back home, Furiosa will adapt to the new harsh and arid world as she grows into the Furiosa she becomes known to be.
Director George Miller Release Date May 24, 2024 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers George Miller , Nick Lathouris Cast Anya Taylor-Joy , Chris Hemsworth , Tom Burke , Alyla Browne , Nathan Jones , Angus Sampson , Daniel Webber , Lachy Hulme Runtime 148 Minutes Franchise(s) Mad Max Expand
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The box-office failure of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is one of the most disappointing flops of 2024, as the film was well-crafted and could’ve been a hit. As time progresses, it seems likely that Furiosa will come to be better remembered as one of the best prequels of the past few years and a worthy successor to Mad Max: Fury Road. Unfortunately, Furiosa‘s underperformance wasn’t a total surprise, as female-led action movies still struggle in theaters despite amazing performances, like Anya Taylor-Joy’s in Furiosa.
There doesn’t need to be a critical reevaluation of
Furiosa
, as the response from those who saw the film was positive.
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Despite being praised by fans and critics alike, Furiosa never found a foothold in theaters and went unseen by many audiences, including those who had enjoyed Mad Max: Fury Road. There doesn’t need to be a critical reevaluation of Furiosa, as the response from those who saw the film was positive. There are many reasons why Furiosa underperformed at the box office, but none of them have to do with the quality of the project, which will hopefully be hailed in the coming years.
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Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024) |
90% |
89% |
3 The King’s Man (2021)
Directed by Matthew Vaughn
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3.5/10 The King’s Man rActionComedyThrillerCrime
The third installment of the Kingman movie franchise, The King’s Man is a prequel set in 1914. It follows Orlando Oxford (Ralph Fiennes), a British aristocrat who forms a spy network in order to hunt a shadowy organization attempting to spark World War I. It details the origins of the Kingsman agency of spies, with Gemma Arterton, Djimon Hounsou, Rhys Ifans, Harris Dickinson, and Matthew Goode starring alongside Fiennes.
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*Availability in US Director Matthew Vaughn Release Date December 22, 2021 Studio(s) Marv , 20th Century Studios , Cloudy Productions Cast Gemma Arterton , Ralph Fiennes , Harris Dickinson , Aaron Taylor-Johnson , Stanley Tucci , Rhys Ifans , Matthew Goode , Tom Hollander , Djimon Hounsou , Charles Dance Runtime 131 Minutes Distributor(s) 20th Century Studios Franchise(s) Kingsman Expand
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Matthew Vaughn’s prequel to his comedy-thriller spy film series Kingsman failed to connect with audiences the way the first two films had. The original 2014 movie, Kingsman: The Secret Service, was an exciting start to the series, and the draw of stars like Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, and Samuel L. Jackson all worked in the film’s favor. While The King’s Man had Ralph Fiennes anchoring the project, this didn’t save the movie from being criticized for an unfocused script.
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One of the biggest complaints surrounding The King’s Man was that it attempted to blend too many genres, but the heart of the movie is just as fun as its predecessors. The King’s Man still delivers plenty of action sequences and intricate conspiracies that live up to the stakes and tension of the original. Additionally, it’s engaging to see the beginnings of a mysterious organization that feels as if it’s been around since the beginning of time.
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Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
The King’s Man (2021) |
41% |
80% |
2 Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (1992)
Directed by David Lynch
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Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me RDramaMysteryHorror
Director David Lynch Release Date June 3, 1992 Writers Robert Engels Cast Ray Wise , Sheryl Lee , Kiefer Sutherland , Phoebe Augustine , David Bowie , Eric DaRe , Miguel Ferrer , Mädchen Amick , Dana Ashbrook , Heather Graham , Chris Isaak , Moira Kelly , Pamela Gidley , Peggy Lipton , David Lynch , James Marshall , Jürgen Prochnow , Harry Dean Stanton , Grace Zabriskie , Lenny Von Dohlen , Kyle MacLachlan , Frances Bay , Catherine E. Coulson , Michael J. Anderson , Frank Silva Character(s) Leland Palmer , Laura Palmer , Special Agent Sam Stanley , Ronette Pulaski , Special Agent Phillip Jeffries , Leo Johnson , Albert Rosenfield , Shelly Johnson , Bobby Briggs , Annie Blackburn , Special Agent Chester Desmond , Donna Hayward , Teresa Banks , Norma Jennings , Chief Gordon Cole , James Hurley , Woodsman , Carl Rodd , Sarah Palmer , Harold Smith , Dale Cooper , Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont) , The Log Lady , Man From Another Place , Bob Runtime 135 minutes YouTube Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9Ey1FQVIO8 Expand
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Like all of David Lynch’s work, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me has surrealist elements that make the story intricate and winding. Fans of the original series, which was canceled in 1991, were shocked by the violence and terror that Fire Walk With Me incorporated, as it chronicled Laura Palmer’s last days before being killed. Using a movie as a prequel to a TV series is challenging to pull off, but Lynch managed to craft one of the greatest features of his career in Fire Walk With Me.
Its darker tone and intensity separate the film from
Twin Peaks
and delve into the sadness and tragedy at the heart of Laura’s death, deeply affecting the audience.
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The long history of Twin Peaks has established an iconic legacy, and Fire Walk With Me has enjoyed a contemporary overhaul in terms of critical and audience opinion. Its darker tone and intensity separate the film from Twin Peaks and delve into the sadness and tragedy at the heart of Laura’s death, deeply affecting the audience. After watching the Twin Peaks show, Fire Walk With Me is a great follow-up to the series before ending the franchise with The Return.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (1992) |
63% |
78% |
1 Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
Directed by George Lucas
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8.7/10 Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace PGAction Sci-FiAdventureFantasy
The beginning of the Skywalker Saga, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace sees young Anakin Skywalker put on his path to discovering his ability to influence the Force. While attempting to thwart the nefarious Trade Federation in their plans for the planet of Naboo, two Jedi discover an exceptionally-gifted slave with the ability to wield the Force. Little do they know, rescuing him is just the beginning of a saga that will span generations of the Skywalker family.
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*Availability in US Director George Lucas Release Date May 19, 1999 Studio(s) Lucasfilm Writers George Lucas Cast Ewan McGregor , Liam Neeson , Natalie Portman , Jake Lloyd , Ahmed Best , Ian McDiarmid , Anthony Daniels , Kenny Baker , Pernilla August , Frank Oz , Ray Park , Samuel L. Jackson Runtime 133 minutes Franchise(s) Star Wars Expand
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Each of the Star Wars prequel movies deserves to be reevaluated, as they were considered the worst installments of the franchise for too long. Many of the best moments in the Star Wars prequel trilogy happen in the first movie, The Phantom Menace. Tackling the earliest moments in Anakin Skywalker’s life, The Phantom Menace reintroduces the audience to the world of Star Wars and makes a case for the importance of building out the world of the universe.
There are few franchises that are picked apart as much as Star Wars, and the pressure of making follow-up movies that would reach the heights of the original series was enormous. Despite the dated visual effects and negative critical reception, The Phantom Menace is a fun sci-fi adventure with a deeper message, paving the way for contemporary sequels. The Phantom Menace was weighed down with expectations and outside ideas about what the film should be, but that doesn’t take away from what it achieved.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) |
52% |
59% |