Some sequels explore secondary characters from the previous films. Other sequels send their protagonists off on another impossible quest. Usually, follow-up movies are released only a few years from their predecessor when the main storyline is still fresh in the viewers' minds. However, there have been sequels that have been released 10 or more years later.
For instance, Avatar was released in 2009, its sequel is planned to premiere on December 16, 2022, 13 years later. Hocus Pocus (1993) plans to premiere its sequel, Hocus Pocus 2, in 2022, 29 years later. These are not the only movies that had long gaps between sequels.
'Finding Nemo' & 'Finding Dory' (13 Years)
One of the most recognized animated films from Disney was Finding Nemo (2003). The clownfish named Nemo (voiced by Alexander Gould) was raised by his cautious father Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks). When Nemo agreed to a dare from his classmates, he accidentally got caught by a snorkeler. Marlin departed a rescue mission to save his son. Along the way, he befriended the Blue Hippo Tang fish named Dory (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres).
While swimming along conversing with other fishes, Dory spotted Marlin laying on the ocean floor. When Marlin explained that he lost his son after a white boat captured him, Dory recalled that she saw the boat and can help him find his son. Finding Dory (2016) explored the forgetful fish Dory who wanted to find her parents.
'The Incredibles' & 'The Incredibles 2' (14 years)
The Incredibles (2004) was centered on the Parr family, a family of superheroes. In Metroville, the government imposed a sanction that restricted any superhero activities. While they had disguised themselves as normal citizens, Bob Parr (voiced by Craig T. Nelson) was itching to be a superhero once more.
The Incredibles was not based on a comic, so fans had to wait 14 years to find out if the Incredibles defeated the new antagonist that appeared at the end of the first movie. The Incredibles 2, released in 2018, placed the focus on Helen, who was recruited to support a PR campaign of making the public appreciate heroes again, while Bob was a stay-at-home dad.
'Jurassic Park' and 'Jurassic World' (14 years)
What would happen when a reptile that was extinct approximately 65 million years ago can be revived? In Jurassic Park (1993), paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), and John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) learned the consequences of raising dinosaurs. The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) and Jurassic Park III (2001) followed the events of Jurassic Park, tracking different parts of the islands where the dinosaurs were still alive.
In Jurassic World (2015), released 14 years later, a new park was launched. Jurassic World was built with stronger reinforcement cages and thoroughly trained their dinosaur keepers to ensure that they wouldn't repeat the same mistakes that happened to the crew in Jurassic Park. Jurassic World starred Chris Pratt as Owen and Bryce Dallas Howard as Claire, but Jurassic World Dominion (2022) planned to include the cast from Jurassic Park.
'Bad Boys II' & 'Bad Boys III' (17 years)
When crucial evidence vanished from police custody, Detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) were hot on the trail to recover the evidence and catch the suspects in Bad Boys (1995). In Bad Boys II (2003), Mike and Marcus were promoted to the Miami Police Department Tactical Narcotics Team. They chased the drug traffickers responsible for sneaking in ecstasy from Cuba into Miami.
After 17 years, Smith and Burnett reprised their roles as Mike and Marcus in Bad Boys for Life (2020). The older and wiser police officers experienced significant life changes. Concerned with the legacy they would leave behind, they decided that it was time to move on from their dangerous lifestyle. However, they reconsidered after they decided they would track down Marcus' shooter.
'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade' & 'The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' (19 years)
John William's "The Raider's March," the heroic theme song signaled fans that at this point in the movie, Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) had the upper hand. Director Steven Spielberg directed three Indiana Jones movies in the 1980s: Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989).
Fans didn't hear about the archeologist's quests until 19 years later in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008). Indiana joined Mutt Williams (Shia LaBeouf) in search of the Crystal Skull originally found in Peru. Luckily, this wasn't the last Indiana Jones movie because, after 15 years, the next Indiana Jones movie is set to release in theaters in 2023.
'Rambo III' and 'Rambo' (20 years)
John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone), the Vietnam veteran, traveled to Washington looking for his friend in Rambo: First Blood (1982). He then was sent to Vietnam to find American Prisoners of War (POWs) in Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985). In Rambo III (1988), John was now living in Thailand and was asked for assistance in Afghanistan against the Soviet occupation.
20 years later, Rambo (2008) was released and 11 years later Rambo: Last Blood (2019) was released. In Rambo, John wanted to separate himself from his previous lifestyle. Yet when a missionary and his group asked to be escorted to war-torn Burma, John agreed to help him. Once they reached Burma, John sought to find the hostages held by Major Tint (Maung Maung Khin).
'Coming to America' & 'Coming 2 America' (33 years)
Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy) had everything at his fingertips. He was set to marry a woman before he abdicated the throne in Coming to America (1988). He wanted to take matters into his own hands and decided that he will find a wife that will love regardless of his economic status. With his friend, Semmi (Arsenio Hall), they ventured off to New York and disguised themselves as typical New Yorkers.
About 33 years later in Coming 2 America (2021), Akeem was a husband to Lisa (Shari Headley), a proud father of three daughters, and the King of Zamunda. His daughters were not allowed to be the next heir to the throne, so King Akeem and Semmi returned to New York in search of Akeem's son.
'Top Gun' & 'Top Gun: Maverick' (36 years)
In 1986, Tom Cruise as Lieutenant Pete "Maverick" Mitchell and Nick "Goose" Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards) were sent to the Miramar Naval Air Station for more fighter pilot training in the movie Top Gun (1986). The unpredictable pilot, Maverick, competed against other fighter pilots in a series of tests. The fighter pilot that proved to be the most successful in their class had their name listed on the Top Gun plaque with promises of being the next instructor at the school.
Returning 36 years later, Cruise reprised his role as Maverick and Val Kilmer reprised his role as Tom "Iceman" Kazansky in Top Gun: Maverick (2022). This time, Maverick was no longer a student at Top Gun, but as an instructor set to teach the new group of fighter pilots. To teach the new pilots, he put them through rigorous tests to teach them the dangers of flying in controlled airspace.
'Bambi' & 'Bambi II' (64 years)
Setting a world record for the longest gap between sequels, a total of 64 years, was Bambi and Bambi II (Bambi and the Great Prince of the Forest). In the Bambi (1942), the white-tailed deer named Bambi (voiced by Hardie Albright) was recently born. Curious about the world around him, he examined the surrounding forest. He befriended a shy skunk named Flower and a gray rabbit named Thumper.
Bambi II (2006) is not considered a separate movie. Bambi II blended the events from the 1942 movie but expanded more on Bambi's (voiced by Alexander Gould) journey as a young fawn. After Bambi lost his mother, the Great Prince (voiced by Patrick Stewart) raised him. The Great Prince taught Bambi to be a confident yet graceful future prince.