I strongly disagree on TG: Maverick, BR 2049 and TMNT 2.

Aliens is complicated, I originally hated it because it's an action movie while Alien is horror. But in long term I have to admit Aliens is more rewatchable.

And Return of the King, which is easily the GOAT (of the franchise). That’s one of, if not the only series that actually got better with each sequel, it’s usually the other way around.

Also preferred Dune: Part II over the first Dune in 2021, but both were amazing.

Since it has not been mentioned yet Hot Shots! Part Deux is better than the first one in every way it's still one of the best parody movies ever made.

I second this. The fact that Charlie Sheen actually got jacked for the sequel surprised.

Hmm, it is rare

The Godfather > The Godfather pt II (Both great)
Terminator > Terminator 2 (Both good)
Alien > Aliens (Mixed feelings on Aliens)
Toy Story > Toy Story 2 (Easily)
A New Hope > Empire Strikes Back (Close)
Blade Runner > Blade Runner 2049 (Very close)
Home Alone >>>> Home Alone 2 (I hate the sequel)
The Fellowship of the Ring = The Two Towers (Practically tied)

BUT:
Spider-Man < Spider-Man 2 (Slight improvement)
Batman Begins < The Dark Knight (Neither is great, but the latter is good)
Tog Gun < Top Gun Maverick (Dislike the original )
Batman < Batman Returns
Dr. No < From Russia with Love
X-Men < X2 (easily)
Mad Max < The Road Warrior
Frankenstein < Bride of Frankenstein
Dr. Mabuse < The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (Both awesome)

Evil Dead <<<<< Evil Dead 2

The gap is not as big as the first example I mentioned but 22 Jump Street is better than 21 Jump Street and Lethal Weapon 2 is better than the first one.

The whole plot thread with Schmidt and the Captain's daughter makes bust out in laughter til' this day.

I might like Superman 2 (1980) even better than the first of the Christopher Reeve movies, but they are both great; still the best two Superman films made to this day.