What is the best horror movie sequel of all time?

Horror sequels are notorious for diminishing returns, but a select few have matched or exceeded their originals. From Aliens to Evil Dead II, which horror sequel stands as the greatest?

1

Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives

The 1986 self-aware sequel that gave Jason his supernatural resurrection and set the template.

1000pts

2

The Exorcist III

William Peter Blatty's 1990 return to his novel's sequel, featuring one of cinema's greatest jump scares.

702pts

3

Day of the Dead

George Romero's 1985 finale to his original trilogy — the bleakest entry in the Dead saga.

606pts

4

Aliens

James Cameron's 1986 sci-fi horror sequel that traded Ridley Scott's claustrophobic dread for relentless action.

555pts

5

Psycho II

The 1983 surprisingly effective psychological sequel bringing Norman Bates back after 22 years.

353pts

6

Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2

Tobe Hooper's 1986 gonzo dark-comedy sequel that took Leatherface in a deliberately excessive direction.

353pts

7

A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors

The 1987 fan-favorite sequel that gave Freddy's victims agency and introduced his darkest kills.

353pts

8

Hellbound: Hellraiser II

The 1988 sequel that expanded the Cenobite mythology into a full hellish labyrinth.

325pts

9

Evil Dead II

Sam Raimi's 1987 horror-comedy sequel that remade and exceeded the original with anarchic energy.

227pts

10

Halloween II

The 1981 direct continuation that took Michael Myers into the hospital for more atmospheric terror.

227pts

11

Bride of Frankenstein

The 1935 Universal sequel and the gold standard of classic monster movie follow-ups.

227pts

12

Scream 2

Wes Craven's 1997 meta-sequel that deconstructed horror sequels while still being a great one.

227pts

13

Dawn of the Dead

George Romero's 1978 satirical zombie sequel set in a shopping mall, sharper and bigger than Night.

65pts