Prequels have a mixed reputation, and plenty feel like cash grabs. But some are genuinely great, and a few even rival the films that inspired them. Here are eight prequels worth watching, as picked by Entertainment Weekly, with a quick note on why each one works.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
George Miller tells the origin story of Imperator Furiosa, the warrior Charlize Theron made iconic in Mad Max: Fury Road, with Anya Taylor-Joy as the younger Furiosa. It has some of the biggest, most fantastical set pieces in the whole series.
The Godfather Part II (1974)
It’s both a sequel and a prequel. Michael Corleone’s (Al Pacino) story continues while flashbacks show a young Vito, played by Robert De Niro, arriving in New York, including unforgettable scenes of Ellis Island and Little Italy. De Niro won an Oscar for the role.
Henry V (1944 and 1989)
Shakespeare wrote the Henry VI plays first, which makes Henry V, with its famous St. Crispin’s Day speech, a prequel. Laurence Olivier and Kenneth Branagh each made classic film versions.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
It’s easy to miss, but Harrison Ford’s second outing as Indiana Jones takes place before Raiders of the Lost Ark. It’s a wild, over-the-top adventure from start to finish.
Prey (2022)
This Predator prequel skips the fan service and moves the story to early 18th-century North America. Amber Midthunder plays a young Comanche woman who uses her wits and knowledge of the land to survive the alien hunter.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Felicity Jones stars in the story of how the Rebels got the Death Star plans, which could easily have been filler. Instead, it worked so well that it got its own acclaimed prequel series, Andor.
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (1992)
David Lynch’s prequel to the 1990 series, starring Sheryl Lee, was a turning point toward the surreal, mood-driven style of his later work.
X-Men: First Class (2011)
The franchise turned back the clock to show how the mutant factions came together, with a star-packed cast including James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jennifer Lawrence.
Our take
If you only watch one, make it The Godfather Part II. For a weekend double feature, pair Prey with Furiosa: two prequels that tell fresh stories instead of just filling in the blanks.
