The Long Wait: Hollywood’s Biggest Gaps Between Original Films and Sequels

Twenty years after The Devil Wears Prada first hit cinemas, audiences returned to the world of Miranda Priestly, fashion emergencies and impossible deadlines with The Devil Wears Prada 2.

That two-decade gap has sparked nostalgia among movie fans, but it is far from the only Hollywood sequel to arrive many years later. In recent years, studios have increasingly revived beloved films from the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, banking on audiences wanting familiar stories with a modern twist.

Some have become massive critical and commercial successes. Others have struggled to recapture the magic of the originals.

Here are some of the biggest sequel gaps in modern cinema history with Mary Poppins Returns – also starring The Devil Wears Prada‘s Emily Blunt – being released a staggering 54 years after Mary Poppins.

One of the clearest success stories is Top Gun: Maverick. Released 36 years after the original Top Gun, the sequel managed something rare: many critics and viewers believed it surpassed the first film.

The original Top Gun became a pop culture phenomenon thanks to its soundtrack, fighter jet sequences and the star power of Tom Cruise. But its critical reception in 1986 was mixed. By comparison, Top Gun: Maverick received a 96 per cent critics score and 99 per cent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, becoming one of the best-reviewed blockbuster sequels of the modern era.

Many critics and viewers believed Top Gun: Maverick surpassed the first film.

Meanwhile, Blade Runner 2049 faced the difficult task of following one of science fiction’s most influential cult classics. Released 35 years after Blade Runner, the sequel earned widespread praise for its visuals, atmosphere and thoughtful storytelling. While the original became iconic over time, the sequel proved that a decades-later continuation could still feel artistic rather than purely nostalgic.

The same cannot be said for every revival. Independence Day: Resurgence arrived 20 years after the original disaster blockbuster but struggled critically, with many reviewers feeling it lacked the fun and charm that made the 1996 film memorable.

Then there are films that leaned heavily into warmth and familiarity. Mary Poppins Returns arrived an astonishing 54 years after Mary Poppins. While comparisons to the original were inevitable, audiences generally embraced the sequel’s optimism and musical style.

Now attention has turned to The Devil Wears Prada 2. The sequel reunites Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci almost 20 years after the original film became a defining workplace comedy-drama of the 2000s.

The original film was both commercially successful and critically respected, eventually becoming a cultural touchpoint for discussions around ambition, work culture and fashion media.

Early reactions to the sequel suggest audiences are enjoying the return to Runway magazine, although reviews appear more divided than for the first film. Rotten Tomatoes audience scores reported online have remained strong, while critics have praised the cast performances but debated whether the sequel matches the wit of the original.

Part of the appeal may simply be timing. Many of these sequels reconnect audiences with films tied to a particular season of life, whether that is the music of the 1980s, the cinema experiences of the 1990s or the workplace culture of the early 2000s.

Many of these sequels reconnect audiences with films tied to a particular season of life – the music of the 80s, the cinema experiences of the 90s or the workplace culture of the early 00s.

For viewers who grew up with these movies, the long-awaited return can feel a bit like catching up with old friends, just older, wiser and navigating a very different world.

This article was researched and prepared by Hope 103.2 staff writers, with assistance from AI in its presentation. Final review and fact-checking was undertaken by our Digital Team prior to publication.

Feature image: Canva Pro