15 of the best movie prequels ever

Red Dragon (2002)

After the success of The Silence of the Lambs, its producers were naturally keen to milk Anthony Hopkins' portrayal of cannibal doctor Hannibal Lecter for all it was worth. Following a so-so sequel, 2001's Hannibal, all that was left was the book that introduced him; Red Dragon, previously filmed as 1986's Manhunter.

Director Brett Ratner dialled up Hopkins' role for the remake and stuffed the film with a bevy of big names, including Ed Norton, Ralph Finnes and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Despite that, Red Dragon doesn't equal the original Silence of the Lambs – but Hopkins is clearly relishing the opportunity to get his teeth into Lecter one more time.