DOUBLE SEQUELS AND MORE
A movie following another movie in the same franchise is usually referred to as a sequel. But occasionally, a movie may be a sequel to more than one previous movie. This occurs when franchises are brought together.
Definition:
Sequel (a sequel to one movie)
Double-sequel (a sequel to two movies)
Triple-sequel (a sequel to three movies)
Quadruple-sequel (a sequel to four movies)
Quintuple-sequel (a sequel to five movies)
not to be confused with
three-quel (third movie of a franchise)
four-quel (fourth movie of a franchise)
five-quel (fifth movie of a franchise)
In the 1930s and 40s, the public was in love with monster movies; stories of mad scientists about to unleash some unknown horror on an unsuspecting public, tales of what lurks in the woods at night during a full moon, or who's longing to suck your blood in the middle of the night. Universal Studios produced a series of these movies featuring Frankenstein's monster, Dracula, and the Wolfman.
Frankenstein films: FRANKENSTEIN (1931), BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1935), SON OF FRANKENSTEIN (1939), THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN (1942).
Dracula films: DRACULA (1931), DRACULA'S DAUGHTER (1936), SON OF DRACULA (1943).
Wolfman film: THE WOLFMAN (1941).
Universal began to combine their franchises with Frankenstein Meets The Wolfman, which is believed to be Hollywood's first double-sequel.
FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLFMAN (March 5, 1943)
--- sequel to THE WOLF MAN (1941)
--- sequel to THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN (1942)
They both appeared next in HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1944).
HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (December 1, 1944)
--- sequel to FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLFMAN (1943)
--- sequel to SON OF DRACULA (1943)
Frankenstein, the Wolfman, and Dracula, appeared next in HOUSE OF DRACULA (1945).
Fast forward to today; the public's passion has changed. Superhero movies are becoming more and more popular. And for Phase 2, Marvel Studios is preparing to release three double-sequels:
IRON MAN 3 (May 3, 2013)
--- sequel to IRON MAN 2 (2010)
--- sequel to MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS (2012)
THOR: The Dark World (November 8, 2013)
--- sequel to THOR (2011)
--- sequel to MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS (2012)
CAPTAIN AMERICA: The Winter Soldier (April 4, 2014)
--- sequel to CAPTAIN AMERICA: The First Avenger (2011)
--- sequel to MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS (2012)
But the discussion of multi-sequels doesn't end there. Although Hollywood has never produced a triple-sequel, there is one quadruple-sequel — Marvel's The Avengers (2012).
MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS (May 4, 2012)
--- sequel to THE INCREDIBLE HULK (2008)
--- sequel to IRON MAN 2 (2010)
--- sequel to THOR (2011)
--- sequel to CAPTAIN AMERICA: The First Avenger (2011)
Further, if Guardians of the Galaxy leads into the Avengers, as many expect, then Marvel's the Avengers 2 (2015) will be the first quintuple-sequel!
MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS 2 (May 1, 2015)
--- sequel to MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS (2012)
--- sequel to IRON MAN 3 (2013)
--- sequel to THOR: The Dark World (2013)
--- sequel to CAPTAIN AMERICA: The Winter Soldier (2014)
--- sequel to GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (2014)