The First Horror Legacy Sequel Was Much Earlier Than You Realize

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Legacy sequels are a staple of the modern horror genre, with films like Scream (2022) lighting up the box office and reinvigorating their respective franchises, but the first horror legacy sequel arrived far longer ago than many realize with Psycho II. Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho was released all the way back in 1960 and is now considered not only one of Hitchcock's greatest films but one of the best horror films ever made. At the time, however, the film was met with a great deal of controversy for its sharp departure from Hitchcock's previous film, North By Northwest, and taboo-breaking subject matter, such as crossdressing and an onscreen flushing toilet.

Psycho II picks up 22 years after the events of the original film. Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), whose character in Psycho was based on a true story, is released from psychiatric care after murdering Marion Crane, despite the protests of her still-living sister Lila (Vera Miles). Norman, who believes that he has overcome his alternate personality «Mother» and has accepted her death, moves back into his iconic house and takes over management of the Bates Motel again. He is able to effectively re-assimilate back into society until he starts receiving mysterious messages from «Mother» and dead bodies begin to pile up.

Related: Psycho: How The Shower Scene Was Filmed

Legacy sequels offer the opportunity for audiences to revisit iconic characters long after the events of the original film and see how much they have changed in the years since. Iconic cast members and characters returning to their respective franchises is a massive selling point for all legacy sequels. This form of fan service can be seen in the recent Halloween Kills, which brought many returning