Aliens

The first movie ended in a way that could have set up a sequel — but it also worked perfectly as a standalone story. They didn’t need to make this film, but they did — and it was awesome. Not to mention the seven-year gap between the two releases… And the fifty-seven-year gap between each film’s setting. They didn’t just make it as a cash grab — the story actually added depth and lore to the film’s universe. It’s a sequel you can enjoy even if you haven’t seen the first one. I also think James Cameron did a fantastic job writing and directing this. His film diversity is amazing — he’s made action comedies, pure adventures, romantic dramas, and this film as a thriller. And that’s only what he’s written and directed, not counting the ones he’s written but not directed. The visuals and colour grading go together like cookies and milk. We get to see more screen time for the characters we love. The film stays true to the first one but also tries new things — and it works perfectly.