In the age of blockbusters, sequels, and shared universes, we often forget that some movies, however popular they might be, get left behind without a sequel or a continuation. Although not every movie needs a sequel, and some stories are meant to be told in one film, a handful of movies are ripe for a sequel but have been left unexplored. Of that group, these five films still have the potential for more stories to be told. These are arguably the five films most deserving of a sequel.
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‘E.T. the Extra Terrestrial’
The past decade has seen the return of some of the most beloved films of the 70s, 80s, and 90s with an array of sequels, remakes, or prequels. Some returned swinging with strong outings worth the wait, like ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, while others overstayed their welcome with multiple films like ‘Jurassic World‘. However, one that may be interesting to explore is Steven Spielberg’s beloved family classic, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. While Universal did produce a short film reunion in 2019 that briefly brought Elliott and E.T. back together, it only teased what a continuation could look like rather than offering a true sequel.
‘E.T.’ does not need to have multiple sequels lined up (and it probably shouldn’t), but if ‘Top Gun’ can have a sequel more emotional and better told than its predecessor, so can ‘E.T.’. It would be interesting to see Elliott and his siblings, all grown up with kids of their own, interact with an E.T. who returns to Earth for some other reason and potentially has kids of his own. Many who grew up adoring this film would surely love to bring their kids to the theater and share the same experience and memories they had.
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‘Step Brothers’
If there’s one Adam McKay film that grew a massive following in the years since its release, it is ‘Stepbrothers,’ and it’s easy to see why. The movie that put Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly on the map as a comedic powerhouse, ‘Stepbrothers’, is the rare comedy that has you laughing non-stop instead of occasionally chuckling at overdone jokes. Both leads bring their A-game and do not hold back the raunchiness in their comedic timing.
While this film was not well-received critically and did not perform well financially, ‘Stepbrothers’ has grown somewhat of a cult following since its theatrical release in 2008. The humor still holds up years later, and both lead actors seemed to have the time of their lives playing these characters. I still believe Will Ferrell’s character crying is still one of the funniest scenes he’s done to date. There is still an opportunity to tell another story with this duo. Comedy sequels don’t always hit the mark and often lose the touch of the original, but if anyone can rekindle the comedic charm they had with audiences, it’s Ferrell and Reilly.
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‘The Incredible Hulk’
The second film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, ‘The Incredible Hulk’, was the last standalone film to feature the title comic book character. While the rights situation with Universal Studios may have been a factor, and Edward Norton has long since been replaced by Mark Ruffalo, it’s time for Marvel to greenlight a new Hulk film. The Hulk has appeared in several Avengers movies, and the Disney+ series ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’ added another female Avenger to the world. However, the Hulk has yet to have his own sequel.
The Hulk has been one of Marvel’s most recognizable characters since his inception, and it’s about time he received another outing on the big screen, one that hopefully ditches the insulting Professor Hulk gimmick introduced in ‘Avengers: Endgame’ that fans have collectively groaned at; this could explore the Jekyll and Hyde dynamic between Bruce Banner and his alter ego. For once, Marvel has the opportunity to put some thought into telling a story with a message about human nature and what brings out our impulses. However they go about it, a standalone Hulk project is long overdue.
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‘A Bug’s Life’
Pixar’s second film after ‘Toy Story’, ‘A Bug’s Life ’, follows the life of an ant named Flick as he tries to improve the life of his colony; along the way, he ends up making things worse as they try to gather enough food for a gang of grasshoppers in exchange for their safety. To fix this problem, Flick goes on a journey to find a team of bugs that can defend his colony from the grasshoppers, only to find that they are just a bunch of circus clowns.
‘A Bug’s Life’ may not be as much of a cash cow for Disney as other properties are (which is evidenced by the fact that ‘A Bug’s Land’ was replaced by Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure), but the movie touched on topics and themes that still register with audiences today. This replacement highlights how Disney often prioritizes its most profitable franchises, sometimes at the expense of films that, while less commercially dominant, carry deep cultural resonance. The political aspect of a community being oppressed by another and urging the collective to think beyond conventional wisdom to solve their problems ultimately makes this movie much more intelligent than it is often given credit for. While a sequel to ‘A Bug’s Life’ did not yield as many merchandise sales as the ‘Cars’ franchise, there is certainly a nostalgia factor that could bring a sizable number of people back to theaters for a sequel.
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‘Man of Steel’
‘Man of Steel’ is one of the most divisive movies of the 21st century. When asking someone about their opinion of this movie after its release, they either really love it or really dislike it. Some embraced taking Superman in a darker direction, while others felt it wasn’t true to the character or the classic 1978 film. However, it seems like public opinion has changed in recent years. While ‘Man of Steel’ has its issues, it is still a great movie; it’s a fresh, realistic take on a character that should not work in the modern era. Like The Hulk, Superman is one of the most, if not the most, recognized superheroes on the planet.
Of all the DC properties that Warner Bros. has lined up in their release schedule, a standalone Superman film is notably absent. While Henry Cavill previously played the role and remains a fan favorite, he is no longer attached to future projects. Warner Bros. and DC Studios, under James Gunn and Peter Safran, have developed a fresh take on Superman, with David Corenswet cast in the iconic role. The film, titled ‘Superman’, premiered on July 7, 2025, at the TCL Chinese Theater and was released in the U.S. on July 11, 2025. While fans may miss Cavill’s portrayal, this reboot represents a new direction for the character and an opportunity to explore fresh stories on the big screen.
By Nader Chamas
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV, media, art, fashion, sport, etc. Please keep this going full speed.”
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Nader Chamas is an aspiring television writer who seeks to fuse thought provoking progressive ideals into the films, shows, and stories that he loves. Having graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Screenwriting, Nader seeks to use his writing to advance causes that do not get enough attention or input across mainstream media. Like most, Nader has his own share of his favorite franchises and stories across pop culture. However, he seeks to contribute timely and relevant topics into these stories as well as in his own original material. This is why Nader’s analysis of popular films and tv shows matches The Hollywood Insider’s practice of discussing entertainment from a socially cognizant and critical perspective.
Nader Chamas is an aspiring television writer who seeks to fuse thought provoking progressive ideals into the films, shows, and stories that he loves. Having graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Screenwriting, Nader seeks to use his writing to advance causes that do not get enough attention or input across mainstream media. Like most, Nader has his own share of his favorite franchises and stories across pop culture. However, he seeks to contribute timely and relevant topics into these stories as well as in his own original material. This is why Nader’s analysis of popular films and tv shows matches The Hollywood Insider’s practice of discussing entertainment from a socially cognizant and critical perspective.
