Making a horror sequel is no simple feat. Fans have super high expectations, wanting to see characters return but also not opposed to a few fresh, new characters being part of the main storyline. The movie should be just as scary as the first one, and it also helps if there are some quotes or moments that reference the original.
Both Scream and Final Destination are incredibly popular horror franchises with some of the most exciting and original ideas in the genre. When Scream 2 was released in 1997 and Final Destination 2 came out in 2003, people were happy to dive back into these terrifying fictional worlds. But which horror sequel is actually better?
When comparing popular horror movie franchisesScream and Final Destination, the sequels stand out as being some of the best in the genre. Fans can look at character, location, and the main story. Because Final Destination 2 feels like more of the same and Scream 2 adds some new characters, a college setting, and two new Ghostface killers, it seems possible to argue that Scream 2 is the better horror sequel.
While there are many special teen horror movies, there are a few about college, but it does seem like Scream 2 does a more interesting job of showing a main character at college than some others. Neve Campbell's character Sidney Prescott is a final girl who starts attending Windsor College and who hopes that she can leave the past behind her. When the murders start again, the people in Sidney's new life are just as freaked out as she is: her love interest Derek Feldman (Jerry O'Connell) and best friend Hallie McDaniel (Elise Neal). Scream 2 also sees Sarah Michelle Geller playing CiCi Cooper, a member of a sorority on campus who is tragically killed while home one night. The movie also shows students in class having spirited debates, which is an important part of the experience.
It's also a huge deal that Sidney is still in danger and that there are new Ghostfaces: Mickey Altieri (Timothy Olyphant) and Billy Loomis's mother (Laurie Metcalf). The fact that such talented actors are the killers in this movie is also fun for pop culture fans. The Scream sequel makes the first one seem even scarier. While Scream is a meta horror film and it's full of hilarious quotes and quirky, campy scenes, it's also really unnerving to imagine how long Sidney will have to run from Ghostface.
In contrast, Final Destination 2 might be the weakest entry in the horror franchise. While Final Destination 3 is a fun movie, the sequel doesn't feel that different, more interesting, or more exciting than the original film. Kimberly Corman (A.J. Cook) sees her friends die and talks to Clear Rivers (Ali Larter), a character from the first movie, who lets her know that Death is chasing people who are supposed to die at a certain point and who are able to survive for the time being. It's a good idea to have Ali Larter's character return for this sequel, as the thread who links both movies together, but since fans can't see the same main character in every single entry in the franchise, it feels like Clear is another person who will eventually be killed by Death.
While it's definitely scary that this curse is continuing, and nothing is worse than realizing that Death itself is out there waiting, it's fair to say that Scream 2 is more fun than Final Destination 2. The opening of Final Destination 2 is freaky as several cars are involved in a horrifying car accident that is gory and gruesome. There are many death scenes in the Final Destination franchise and this one does stand out a lot for being gross, dark, and disturbing. But while Alex Browning's (Devon Sawa) premonition of his plane crashing on the way to Paris is cool and interesting, the idea of Death following people around becomes a bit less special by the second movie. And while it's an awesome opening scene that no one is likely to ever forget, that's the only part of the movie that feels thrilling. The rest is pretty dull.
Scream 2 maintains the spirit of the original: funny quotes, great characters who range from being silly to being smart and self-aware, and the chance to see Sidney again, this time even with even more determination than ever before to beat Ghostface. With so many great Final Destination movies to choose from, fans can definitely skip the second one and stick to the others, whereas Scream 2 is an important entry in the franchise as it gives audiences the chance to stay with Sidney for a longer period of time.