Films where the prequel was better than the original?

Not all great films but a few spring to mind.

Annabelle the original isn't great, the prequel Annabelle: Creation is much better imo.

Pearl (prequel to X)

Bumblebee (I am guessing that counts as it is a prequel to transformers?)

Had a similar conversation to this in a pub once and without missing a breath one of the group answered "Temple of Doom" which to be perfectly honest I had not even twigged was a prequel. But it was better than Raiders of the Lost Ark in my own opinion.

Since the Willy Wonka reboot with Depp was so bloody awful - I guess the recent "Wonka" as a prequel is miles better on nearly every level. But I am of an age that I would never rank it as better than the one I grew up with :)

One of my favourite Star wars films. Closes loopholes in the story beautifully.

The 60s setting definitely benefits it.

Not sure would I agree that either 2 examples above are better than the first movie. As I've so often mentioned, for me the De Niro flashback episodes in GII keep interfering with the momentum of the main narrative. Also, I've found T2 to be special-effects driven with the rudiments of a plot tacked on, whereas T1 was a very solid package with the effects supporting the story, the way it should always be in movies.

Sorry yes, I had the first line of the OP in my head when responding…that is, I completely misread it😆

I think the 2 examples put forward by the OP are perfect examples. T2 is a big step up from Terminator in many respects.

The first time I saw Godfather, I thought it dragged a bit. But the same can't be said for Godfather II. I thought it was a remarkable. Many years later, I went back and watched the first one, and it was definitely better than I thought the first time. But not as good as the sequel. The less said about the third one, the better.

They're stylistically two different films, much like Cameron's Aliens vs Scott's original; pretty much different genres so it's difficult to directly compare.

Having said that I do prefer T2 to T1. For the longest time I preferred Aliens to Alien but I find it hard to pick between them these days.

I saw ToD in Savoy 1 back in the day, absolutely loved it and thought it was my favourite for a while...But it definitely is the weakest of first 3 without doubt.

X Men: First Class gives the original a run for its money.

I love Revenge of the Sith but no, you may not.