I think there’s a weird element to when any given release is the best its source will ever produce. This is loosely used because a director, a rock band, an actor, etc can have hot streaks then cold streaks and come back.
ONE – sequels that were better than the first
[] “Hellraiser II” (my favorite of the series thus far)
[] “Iron Man 2” – but “Iron Man 3” was also quite awesome
[] “The Empire Strikes Back”…’nuff said
[] “Astro-Creep: 2000” White Zombie’s 2nd major release
[] “Master of Puppets” Metallica’s 3rd album
[] “Dirt” Alice in Chains’ 2nd album
[] “Paul’s Boutique” – 2nd album by the Beastie Boys
[] “House” – season two
[] “Ocean’s Thirteen”
[] “Predator 2”
[] “Bangin the Box V4” – Bad Boy Bill’s 4th studio release
[] “In Utero” – Nirvana’s 3rd album
TWO: 1st is my favorite
[] “A New Stereophonic Spectacular” by Hooverphonic
[] “Dummy” by Portishead
Then you’ve got groups like Primus who just keep rocking’ like Dokken…and actors like Gary Oldman…and directors like Zack Snyder and Christopher Nolan…
There’s more but you get the idea, right?
Apocrypha, Shadow and Cold Light 