Bella DeVito
@BDeVitoCourant
It’s that spooky time of year again! People love Halloween for its creative costumes, creepy decorations, and delicious treats, but most of all, the season is cherished as a time to kick back and revisit thrilling and magical movies. But lately, it’s not just the familiar characters and stories resurrecting, but the horror franchises themselves. The past few years have seen the release of fresh sequels of classic Halloween films, such as Hocus Pocus 2, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the Scream saga, and more. Although these sequels draw in new audiences from younger generations, there are questions about whether or not they are a delightful addition to the series or if the originals were better left untouched.
Personally, I love a good sequel when done correctly. However, in comparison to the classic horror film The Exorcist, David Gordon Green’s Exorcist: Believer is a big flop. Many reviewers already were pessimistic about going into theaters, worrying about how a sequel could live up to the glory of the original. For the most part, many critics’ initial worries were correct, with many stating it lacked an engaging and clear plot. Moreover, the movie failed to scare its viewers (What’s a horror movie without any horror?). However, Hocus Pocus 2 had more promising reviews. Although disappointed the film didn’t make the big screen, people generally enjoyed seeing the Sanderson sisters return to Salem. However, nothing can match the 90s nostalgia of the original.
New movies also mean the return of familiar faces and the introduction of new ones. For example, the Scream VI welcomes back regulars Courtney Cox and Neve Campbell to the horrific slasher series. Fans were thrilled to see the return of Hayden Panettiere’s character Kirby Reed after her “death” in Scream 4. Scream VI brings more excitement with the launch of fresh faces like Samara Weaving (from Ready or Not) and Tony Revolori (from Spider-Man). Whether you like these new characters or think they pale in comparison to your favorite stars, Scream’s producers aren’t ready to abandon Ghostface, as Scream 7 comes out in 2026.
No matter what your opinion is on sequels to beloved movies, there’s no denying that they are a big hit at the box office. The 2024 sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice opened with $110 million domestically, whereas the original 1988 Beetlejuice only collected $8 million in its opening and earned only $75 million overall. The original only made about $202 million total in today’s dollars, an amount that is estimated to be surpassed by its newer counterpart. Overall, Beetlejuice has become a must-watch during the Halloween season.
Sequels can be great to build upon the universe of a lovable story and draw in a greater audience from newer generations. However, some argue that if it isn’t broken, then don’t fix it. I love a good sequel, but to each their own.
