Movie sequels are available in abundance these days, with concepts from the ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, and even before (and after) being revisited. There’s also a trend towards spin-offs and remakes of classic films.
The 1990s were a fantastic decade for movies in all genres, but especially comedies. Some of them have already had sequels, many soon after in that same decade. Seeing the success of Happy Gilmore 2, however, which premiered 30 years after the original, suggests that it’s worth revisiting some others that are ripe for a follow-up, too.
1
‘Ace Ventura: Pet Detective’ (1994)
While In Living Color proved that Jim Carrey had a knack for comedy, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective was the first film to solidify his leading man status in comedy movies. In the film, one of the essential Jim Carrey movies, he stars as the title character who works animal-related detective cases. It’s totally silly fun.
The movie did become a franchise, starting with a sequel in 1995 called Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, which received negative reviews but was a box office success. Then there was an animated series that aired for the back half of the ‘90s and even a made-for-TV sequel, Ace Ventura Jr.: Pet Detective, that did not feature Carrey at all. It would be hilarious to bring Carrey back for the role that arguably kick-started his movie career, following the character decades later while he still does the same job, or maybe gets roped back in for one last case.
2
‘The Sandlot’ (1993)
One of those movies every Gen-X parent makes their kids watch with them at least once, especially if they play baseball, is The Sandlot. The story is set in 1962 and follows a group of kids and their daily antics outside of school. At the heart of the story is the time their baseball goes over the fence into the mysterious neighbor Mr. Mertle’s (James Earl Jones) backyard. As legend has it, he is as mean as they come and has a monstrous dog. How will they ever get the ball back?
The Sandlot ends with the kids realizing Mr. Mertle is actually a very nice man who has a love for baseball and, in fact, played professionally when he was younger. It also suggests that Benny (Mike Vitar), the leader of the group, goes on to become a pro player himself. Getting the gang back together for a reunion, especially since many of them moved on from acting, would be all sorts of nostalgic.
3
‘Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery’ (1997)
Yes, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery is already a franchise with two sequels under its belt, The Spy Who Shagged Me in 1999 and Goldmember in 2002. But it has been 23 years since the last movie, and fans have been itching for another Mike Myers hit. Donning the dark glasses, loud clothes, and fake teeth to re-create this character in a modern world would be epic.
It would be a tough sell since Powers was frozen in time and hadn’t aged. Nonetheless, it’s a satire, so there could easily be an explanation fashioned to explain the aging of both Powers and Dr. Evil. Bringing back others, too, like Seth Green and three ladies who played various love interests, Elizabeth Hurley, Heather Graham, and even Beyoncé in one movie, perhaps adding a fourth would be loads of fun.
4
‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ (1998)
Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro star in this black comedy adventure movie about Raoul (Depp) and Dr. Gonzo (del Toro), two men who travel to Las Vegas with the initial intention of Duke covering the Mint 4000 motorcycle race for a magazine. But it soon turns into a drug-fueled journey through the city and the Strip. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a hallucinogenic, psychedelic trip the entire way through.
By the end of the film, Duke only has his tape recorder to rely on to remember what happened the entire time he was there, and the events put movies like The Hangover to shame. Imagine this duo on a second trip, swearing they won’t let the same thing happen again (but, of course, it does). That would be epic.
5
‘Hackers’ (1995)
Hackers was arguably way ahead of its time, which makes it ripe for a sequel. The movie is set in the present day, a time when the internet was just picking up steam. A group of high school hackers enjoys hacking into various mainframes and messing with people and businesses while showing off their skills with this new technology. As the group grows, each one proves their worth by accomplishing an impressive hack.
It’s easy to see how a modern-day version could up the ante with these characters, their kids, or a new group of kids at the same school. They could come together to pull off even more elaborate, potentially world-changing hacks.
6
‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ (1992)
The iconic dark comedy drama Glengarry Glen Ross follows four real estate salesmen over a period of two days. When a motivational trainer arrives at the office, his memorable speech leaves them shaking. The pressure is on. They need to make sales or lose all respect (and maybe even their jobs). This results in deceitful tactics and desperate measures taken to make sales.
Glengarry Glen Ross, one of the best David Mamet movies, captured the essence of a competitive sales-based workplace, and it would easily translate to today’s climate. With an all-star cast that includes Al Pacino and Ed Harris, both of whom continue to work to this day, reprising their roles would excite fans. The film could also pay respects to those who have sadly passed since, including Jack Lemmon and Alan Arkin.
7
‘Wayne’s World’ (1992)
When is it not the perfect time for party time? Excellent! Wayne’s World defined a generation of comedy, with Mike Myers and Dana Carvey delighting as two heavy metal rockers, Wayne and Garth. Originating as a sketch on Saturday Night Live, the pair runs a talk show from their basement, where they interview actors and musicians. The movie adds a plot, and it did spawn a sequel, but that was way back in 1993.
Both Myers and Carvey continue to act, Myers most recently guesting to impersonate Elon Musk on SNL. Add Rob Lowe, Tia Carrere, Lara Flynn Boyle, and Brian Doyle-Murray back to the mix, and it would be guaranteed comedy gold.
8
‘True Romance’ (1993)
Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette killed it in True Romance, a Quentin Tarantino romantic crime movie that has since become a cult classic. Clarence Worley (Slater) has a one-night stand with Alabama Whitman (Arquette), whom he later realizes is a call girl. But the two fall in love and decide to have a quickie wedding. When Clarence decides to kill Alabama’s abusive pimp, Drexl (Gary Oldman), and take what he believes are her belongings, they discover it’s actually a massive amount of cocaine. Now, they are being hunted by the drug pushers from whom Drexl stole it.
By the end, Clarence and Alabama manage to escape to Mexico, where they have a son named after Clarence’s obsession, Elvis. What happened next? Did anyone else try to hunt them down? Looking more than 30 years down the line, it would be interesting to explore the idea that someone who survived found them or that their son is now wrapped up in his own true romance.
9
‘Office Space’ (1999)
One of the best, most subversive workplace comedy movies, Office Space is hilariously about Peter (Ron Livingston), who desperately tries to get fired, as he’s sick of the monotony of his day job. But instead of being fired, he keeps getting promoted. Social commentary on office politics and the dreary realities of working a boring desk job, Office Space takes it to new heights, especially with the end.
Milton (Stephen Root) is a quiet and reserved employee whom everyone ignores and mistreats, but he gets the last laugh. Someone steals his stapler, and he spends the entire episode quietly trying to find out who. When no one confesses, he burns the building down and uses the traveler’s checks he found to escape to Mexico. A follow-up with Milton at the center, perhaps somehow reuniting with his old co-workers when they vacation in Mexico or him returning home and seeing them there, would be a hoot.
10
‘Death Becomes Her’ (1992)
Madeline (Meryl Streep) is a narcissistic and aging actor in the ‘70s who steals the husband of her friend and rival, Helen (Goldie Hawn). Years later, Madeline and Ernest (Bruce Willis) are miserable while Helen has written a new book. Desperate to return to her former beauty, Madeline drinks a magic potion that purports to offer not only the fountain of youth but also eternal life. But there’s one condition: she must disappear in 10 years so as not to draw suspicion as to why she still looks so young. The plot gets darker and more twisted from there, but the movie also ends in a way that screams for a sequel.
The pair is aging and decrepit, yet they can’t die. What happens next? Perhaps following the pair in search of a way to end their immortality would be exciting, especially given the star-studded duo at the center of the story.
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