Most sequels fall apart trying to recreate the magic of the original — bigger budgets, louder action, and none of the heart. But every once in a while, a follow-up comes along that shouldn’t work at all and,somehow, ends up being great.

In this episode, we break down four sequels that defied expectations and elevated their entire franchise:

Spider-Man 2 — emotional weight and iconic storytelling

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish — fear, mortality, and a surprisingly honest core

John Wick: Chapter 2 — sharp world-building and myth-making

The Best Man Holiday — a rare sequel that grows up with its audience

These movies shouldn’t have succeeded, but they did, and they show what happens when a sequel evolves instead of imitates.