Two's company and three's a crowd! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the best film franchises that only consist of two movies.
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00:00 "It's too bad she won't live, but then again who does?"
00:05 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the best film franchises
00:11 that only consist of two movies.
00:13 We're including films that are direct continuations of first entries, so standalone sequels don't
00:20 count.
00:21 Note, the status of these duologies are likely to change in the future, and in fact, we had
00:26 to replace several entries during production, because Hollywood just can't stop announcing
00:31 sequels.
00:32 "They're afraid of me.
00:33 What do we do with that?"
00:37 Number 10.
00:38 It and It Chapter 2.
00:41 Set over 27 years, the adaptations of Stephen King's horror novel are a two-part scarefest.
00:48 Chapter 1 details the lives of the Losers Club at the bottom of the barrel in the town
00:52 of Derry.
00:53 "Are you okay?
00:54 That looks like it hurts."
00:55 "No, I'm good.
00:56 I just fell."
00:57 "Yeah, right into Henry Bowers."
00:58 "Shut it.
00:59 R-R-Ritchie."
01:00 "Why?
01:01 It's the truth."
01:02 The kids are terrorized by the mysterious It, who manifests as Pennywise the Clown.
01:07 Chapter 2 follows the characters as adults trying to destroy the villain for good.
01:12 Its creepy atmosphere comes from the protagonist's deepest fears, which serve as the basis for
01:17 the horrors that unfold.
01:19 "What he's talking about, and it's all true.
01:24 It's the only way.
01:28 If we want this ritual to work, we have to remember."
01:30 Stellar performances by both young and adult cast members sell its premise, while Bill
01:35 Skarsgård's star-making turn steals the show.
01:38 "You haven't saved any of them.
01:45 Close your eyes, Beth."
01:49 The films are also complemented by Stephen King's similarly chilling The Shining, including
01:53 its 2009 sequel, Doctor Sleep.
01:56 9.
01:57 The Hustler and The Color of Money Following pool hustler Fast Eddie, these two
02:02 films depict the character in his younger and older days.
02:06 The Hustler is about Eddie's obsession with beating legendary player Minnesota Fats, which
02:11 comes close to destroying his life.
02:13 "You can't see it, can you, Charlie?
02:15 I mean, you've never been able to see it.
02:16 I came after him.
02:17 And I'm gonna get him.
02:18 I'm going with him all the way."
02:23 In the sequel, Eddie becomes a mentor to the similarly gifted Vincent Lauria.
02:28 We watch as Eddie grapples with success, arrogance, and the inability to deal with failure.
02:33 "And we twisted it, didn't we, Bert?
02:36 Of course, maybe that doesn't stick in your throat, 'cause you spit it out just the way
02:40 you spit out everything else."
02:41 Paul Newman shines in both films, winning the Oscar for Best Actor for The Color of
02:46 Money.
02:47 The story blurs the lines between winning and losing, as Eddie struggles with his choices.
02:53 It's a fascinating character arc spread out between two quality films.
02:56 "What makes you so sure?"
02:59 "Hey, I'm back."
03:06 Not to mention all the pool sequences that are a treat to watch.
03:09 Number 8.
03:11 Mary Poppins and Mary Poppins Returns.
03:23 You won't need a spoonful of sugar to help make these films palatable.
03:27 They're absolute delights for all ages, and even more enjoyable when you watch them as
03:31 a pair.
03:32 The original film is adored for its endlessly charming performances by Julie Andrews and
03:38 Dick Van Dyke, influential animation style, and timeless musical numbers.
03:49 Its successor had big shoes to fill in terms of continuing the Mary Poppins legacy, but
03:54 manages to capture the same magical and heartwarming feeling as the first.
04:11 Plus we get an iconic tap dancing cameo from Van Dyke in the follow up film, and he's
04:16 still got moves.
04:18 Number 7.
04:19 Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima.
04:23 These two films, both directed by Clint Eastwood, work in tandem with each other as they parallel
04:28 stories of the Battle of Iwo Jima from both the Japanese and American perspectives.
04:34 In Flags of Our Fathers, Eastwood masterfully examines the more complicated truth behind
04:39 the famous photograph raising the flag on Iwo Jima, and the lives and stories of the
04:44 soldiers pictured.
04:45 "You want this flag?"
04:46 "Yes sir."
04:47 "We just put the damn thing up."
04:50 "Yes sir."
04:51 "Is there some kind of flag shortage?"
04:54 Letters from Iwo Jima shows us the bleak reality that the Japanese soldiers were facing in
04:59 the battle, despite their best strategic efforts.
05:02 Together, this duology succeeds in delivering its anti-war messaging in an empathetic and
05:08 artful way.
05:18 Number 6.
05:19 Hellboy and Hellboy 2 The Golden Army.
05:23 Based on the comics of the same name, Guillermo del Toro's Hellboy entries are a masterclass
05:28 in dark superhero cinema.
05:30 The main character battles his destiny of ushering in the apocalypse, choosing to use
05:34 his powers for good.
05:36 "You will never fulfill your destiny.
05:39 You will never understand the power inside you."
05:42 "I'll just have to find a way to live with that."
05:45 While the overarching plot is gripping, the expressive visuals and the backdrop of a bleak
05:50 supernatural setting are truly captivating.
05:53 Smart dialogue and larger-than-life characters go hand in hand, making for a well-rounded
05:57 cast that connects with viewers.
06:00 "You!
06:01 You took that plane without an authorization, young man."
06:03 "Hey, Madding.
06:04 Here to help."
06:05 "As always."
06:06 "What's going on?
06:07 What's going on?"
06:08 "I quit."
06:09 "What, are you serious?"
06:10 "Looks that way, doesn't it?"
06:11 "I quit."
06:12 "I quit."
06:13 "What, are you serious?"
06:14 "Looks that way, doesn't it?"
06:15 "What's wrong with you?
06:16 You can't all just quit."
06:17 "Watch us."
06:18 "On second thought, I think I'll keep this."
06:27 Sadly, the series was robbed of future sequels.
06:30 2019's critically lambasted Hellboy served as an ill-fated reboot that pales in comparison
06:35 to del Toro's duology.
06:37 "Ahh, come on.
06:39 Do not sneak up on me like that."
06:42 Number 5.
06:43 Gremlins and Gremlins 2 – The New Batch Depending on how you see it, these films can
06:48 be scary or a total parody.
06:51 The first entry is heavy on gore and big on comedy, making light of horror tropes of the
06:55 time.
06:56 "Patriotic little fella, ain't he?
06:57 Waving a flag and everything.
06:58 Hey, Nick.
06:59 Good to get you."
07:00 "Ah, be careful, Frank.
07:01 You might tear your arm off.
07:02 You want me to put the cuffs on him?"
07:07 Centering around the titular creatures, things go off the rails after the monsters start
07:11 to multiply and wreak havoc.
07:13 Although it sounds scary, the film keeps a consistently light tone that balances the
07:17 otherwise gruesome imagery.
07:18 "There's these little gringos with big T's running around town wrecking."
07:19 "Hey, kids, this is Christmas, not Halloween.
07:20 Listen, gang, Rockin' Ricky's getting fed up with all this Orson Welles crap, so cool
07:21 it, will ya?"
07:22 The follow-up completely embraces its potential for humor, being a gag-filled experience that
07:34 keeps the jokes coming.
07:36 They aren't for everyone, but there's great entertainment value in these quirky films
07:40 that don't take themselves seriously.
07:42 "It's funny, I look at him, you know what I see?"
07:45 "What's that, sir?"
07:46 "Dolls with suction cups staring out car windows.
07:48 A big float in the Macy's Day Parade.
07:51 Has anybody ever talked to you about merchandising?"
07:53 Number 4.
07:54 The Incredibles and Incredibles 2 Back in 2004, Pixar surprised fans with a
07:59 superhero movie that ticks all the right boxes.
08:02 Sure, The Incredibles does have, well, incredible action, but it's the layered characterizations
08:08 that hit the mark.
08:19 Whether it's Mr. Incredible's midlife crisis or Violet's desire to fit in, each member
08:24 of the family is relatable.
08:26 Even the antagonist Syndrome has an understandable villainous arc.
08:39 Director Brad Bird hit another home run with the long-awaited sequel, which deals with
08:44 the super's bid for acceptance.
08:46 With a roster of memorable characters like Frozone and Edna Mode, the movies are endlessly
08:51 quotable.
08:52 Just remember, no capes.
08:54 "No capes!"
08:55 Number 3.
08:56 The Raid and The Raid 2 Fight scenes are always fun, but they're
09:00 even better when servicing the film's story.
09:03 The Raid does just that, as the protagonists battle for their lives.
09:16 The original is about a raid squad who end up way over their heads.
09:19 Trapped inside the enemy's lair, they kill their way out of a criminal complex while
09:24 their numbers dwindle.
09:25 The Raid 2 is closer to the standard thriller, but with fight choreography that evolves to
09:30 crazier levels.
09:42 Creative stunt work and camera effects bolster an already effective directorial style, with
09:46 some awe-inspiring scenes.
09:49 Viewers can see themselves in the heroes' shoes as dangers lurk in every corner.
09:53 It's a frenzy of kick-ass action that's bloody, brutal and brilliant.
10:03 Number 2.
10:04 Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049 A classic in the neo-noir genre, this series
10:11 is the peak of dark, gritty filmmaking.
10:23 The 1982 film introduced an entire world to viewers, and the lore was deepened by the
10:28 2017 sequel.
10:30 The story revolves around replicants dealing with injustice and uncovering conspiracies
10:35 that threaten civilization.
10:46 Harrison Ford's Rick Deckard is at the center of the narrative that twists and turns across
10:51 decades.
10:52 Along with the plot, Blade Runner offers compelling themes that keep fans wondering what they
10:57 represent.
10:58 Everything, from the futuristic set designs, subtle imagery and cyberpunk cinematography,
11:03 takes the breath away.
11:04 This duology's inspired aesthetic and social commentary remain evergreen.
11:34 Number 1.
11:37 Kill Bill Volume 1 and Kill Bill Volume 2 Technically one film split into two parts,
11:51 Kill Bill is an unforgettable thriller.
11:53 The bride is out for blood after being betrayed on her wedding day.
11:57 The long runtime allows her mission to be told in full, as we watch her story play out
12:01 from start to finish.
12:03 Tarantino utilizes a stellar cast to portray their characters with the required attitude
12:08 and energy.
12:13 While the general outline is simple, the film's genre-hopping makes for an unpredictable adventure.
12:18 It's a blend of snappy one-liners, violent martial arts sequences and tongue-in-cheek
12:24 humor.
12:25 True to form, this duology culminates in an awesome finale that does justice to the sprawling
12:29 story of revenge.
12:39 Which two-part series is your favorite?
12:42 Let us know in the comments.
12:56 [music]