The Greatest Comedy Sequels

After doing one of my all-time favorite lists in October (Ranking the Halloween Franchise), I decided to take November's Movie List of the Month in a much lighter direction. With big-named comedy sequels arriving to theatres this month, namely Dumb and Dumber To and Horrible Bosses 2, I thought it would be fun to re-examine The Greatest Comedy Sequels ever made. With so many comparable titles to choose from, it became extremely difficult to construct my list. Let's first acknowledge the films that didn't quite make the cut.

Honorable Mention: Hot Shots! Part Deux, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Naked Gun 2 and Half, and Addams Family Values.

#10. Ghostbusters II

While Ghostbusters II could never live up to the greatness of its predecessor, the gang does a valiant job of generating laughter once their given the freedom to investigate supernatural activity again and they discover a river of ectoplasm running underneath New York City. A third installment has been confirmed, yet we'll be given a new all-female group on ghost hunters ,,, and yeah, I think it's a horrible idea too. 

#9. Rush Hour 2

Rush Hour 2 is one of those rare sequels that actually stacks up pretty well against its first installment. This time around, Detective Carter (Chris Tucker) is seeking some down time while vacationing in Hong Kong with Lee (Jackie Chan), yet Lee ends up ruining all the fun by getting tied up in another action-packed ordeal. Tucker's antics ended up getting old real quick and the franchise called it quits after number three. 

#8. Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls

Perhaps no comedy is greater than the origins film Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. Therefore, its hilarious follow up usually gets lost in its shadow. Ace (Jim Carrey) comes out of a harmonious retirement to investigate the disappearance of the only type of animal he hates, a rare white bat that's the symbol of an African tribe. And as we all know, whenever Ace gets involves all hell breaks loose.

#7. Beverly Hills Cop II

Although you'd probably least expect it, Beverly Hills Cops II is one of the rare films on this list that was actually nominated for an Oscar. I'll give you a second to try and figure it out ... you give up yet? It was nominated for its catchy theme song of course! And in arguably the trilogy's best effort, Axel (Eddie Murphy) returns to Beverly Hills to help Rosewood and Taggart investigate the shooting of their friend, Chief Bogamil. Latest news reports that Brett Ratner is lined up to direct a fourth installment slated for a 2016 release.

#6. Wayne's World 2

"If you book them, they will come". Move over Field of Dreams cause Wayne's World 2 landed pretty high on my list. Sure, the first one set the bar, but Christopher Walken co-stars as a sleazy record producer set on stealing Cassandra from Wayne (Mike Myers) all while he and Garth (Dana Carvey) plan to organize a huge rock festival. There are plenty of laughs throughout and it just oozes "the 90s", my kind of movie!

#5. Bad Boys II

Buddy cop movies are all over this list of successful comedy sequels, but none do it better than Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in Bad Boys II. Having just recently caught parts of the film over my friend's place, Bad Boys II pits its action-inducing and destruction-seeking duo against a dangerous drug kingpin smuggling ecstacy into Miami. On top of full fledged comedy and explosions, who doesn't love hearing Will Smith unleash some R-rated jokes?

#4. Toy Story 3

For all the raunchy jokes I enjoy, I also find comfort in a nice family comedy like Toy Story 3. Its release was a long time coming, but certainly worth the wait. After Andy has grown up and prepares for college, his mom asks him to get rid of some old toys. Then, she mistakenly donates Woody and the gang to a day care center where an evil Purple Bear reigns supreme. Toy Story 3 is an all around funny and endearing film that captured the hearts of many.

#3. American Pie 2

Now that we got the wholesome inclusion to the list out of the way, it's back to the vulgar humor we go with American Pie 2. This riotous sequel delivers hordes of sexual jokes that stand the test of time a over a decade later. The group of friends reunite after their first year of college and decide to hold the biggest summer blowout party ever at their beach house, and clearly nothing goes as planned. American Pie 2 offers the best kind of raunchy situational humor that never gets old.

#2. Christmas Vacation

There aren't many families like the Griswolds, and there isn't a Lampoon's movie as good as Christmas Vacation. Wanting nothing more than to hold a wonderful Christmas holiday for his family, filled with good times and a Christmas lights display for the ages, Clark (Chevy Chase) can't seem to get anything right. And after his boss screws him over on his holiday bonus, the comedy that follows steps it up a notch. This is one that's worth reliving every Christmas season.

#1. Back to the Future Part II

While its Oscar-winning predecessor will always stand tallest, the almost equally impressive sequel, Back to the Future Part II, does a remarkable job of continuing on with Marty McFly's (Michael J. Fox) story. Once Marty returns from his first adventure, he and Doc travel to the future where their actions unfortunately alter the present (it's really not that confusing, I swear). With hoverboards, the Sports Almanac and enough Biff Tannen to put you into a laughing coma, what's not to love about Back to the Future Part II? Making it the greatest comedy sequel of all-time.