While it’s tempting to leave classic movies untouched, some truly deserve sequels – particularly those that ended with unresolved storylines. Some of these films were initially dismissed or didn’t perform well in theaters, but have since gained a following and feel incomplete. With Arnold Schwarzenegger preparing to reprise his role as Conan, here are four other fantasy movies that would benefit from a follow-up.
It’s important to remember that Memorial Day weekend includes four days because the holiday is always on a Monday, unlike a typical three-day weekend. While The Mandalorian & Grogu had strong numbers, overall results were down compared to recent years. In three of the last four years, a movie opened during this weekend and landed in the top 10 – including big successes like Top Gun: Maverick (2022), The Little Mermaid (2023), and Lilo & Stitch (2025). Last year, the live-action Lilo & Stitch was a particularly big hit with audiences.
Despite the intricacies of Nate’s personality, his disturbing actions weren’t excused or justified. Instead, his complex character allowed viewers to understand the origins of his harmful behavior. The details of his life made him feel incredibly realistic, and that’s what made him so terrifying.
The new horror movie, from Blumhouse Productions and distributed by Focus Features, opened in theaters on May 15th and earned $17.2 million in its first weekend. It then surprised everyone by making $21.5 million in its second weekend – a 26% increase. This is unusual for a widely released film, and especially rare for horror movies, which typically see a drop in viewers after the first week.
Fans were thrilled to learn in October 2024 that John Krasinski would reprise his role as Jack Ryan in a new movie, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War, released directly on Amazon Prime Video. Directed by Andrew Bernstein, who also worked on the show’s second season, and co-written by Krasinski, the film premiered on May 20, 2026. While critics had mixed reactions, fans, along with the cast and crew who enjoyed making it, loved the action-packed adventure. The success of Ghost War may have also hinted at future installments in the Jack Ryan franchise.
Before becoming famous for The Walking Dead, Andrew Lincoln starred in the first season of the British action series Strike Back, which first aired in the UK in May 2010. It later came to the US as Strike Back: Origins in October 2013. Although he only appeared in six episodes, his performance in the show remains memorable.
For me, the best summer movies aren’t always about sunny escapes. They capture that feeling of being untethered – when daily life falls away and anything seems possible, even a little risky. I’m talking about first loves, staying up all night, sweltering heat, chaotic family vacations, and that bittersweet feeling you get when you know things are about to change. It’s a specific mood, and certain films just nail it.
Many Marvel Cinematic Universe villains, like Malekith, Aldrich Killian, Dar-Benn, Ronan the Accuser, and Kro, haven’t made a lasting impression or felt particularly threatening. But one villain stands out as truly terrifying, and what makes them unique is that for a long time, they were actually a hero. Not just any hero, but Wanda Maximoff – the most powerful character in the entire MCU. This makes her one of the most compelling characters in the history of superhero storytelling.
The Pope introduced the quote by explaining that J.R.R. Tolkien offered a powerful observation about our duty as people—our responsibility to ourselves, to each other, to future generations, to our communities, and to the Earth. It’s a heartwarming idea, perfectly captured in the famous words of the wizard known for enjoying his pipe:
To highlight this shift, the next season of Reacher will be a complete change of pace, focusing on a political conspiracy. Author Lee Child has frequently discussed his inspiration for Reacher, explaining that he wanted to create a hero unlike the jaded detectives common in 1990s thrillers.