for zombie movies back in 2016. The genre had become oversaturated by an endless wave of movies, video games, and shows like The Walking Dead. Train to Busan stood out because it was a relentless, emotional ride filled with great characters: it also managed to make its zombies truly terrifying.

The movie ended with something of a gut punch, and while the zombie situation was far from resolved when the credits rolled, it didn't set up a sequel either. Still, Train to Busan earned 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and grossed over $95 million worldwide (via The Numbers). That level of acclaim and box office success soon led to sequel talks, and things initially looked promising when original writer and director Yeon Sang-ho signed on to helm Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula. Unfortunately, this standalone follow-up truly earned its tepid reception.

Peninsula Barely Feels Like A Sequel To Train To Busan

There's a reason it's not called Train to Busan 2

Soon after it debuted in 2020, Peninsula was labeled a major disappointment. The Train to Busan sequel stands at 55% on Rotten Tomatoes, with many expressing surprise the film was made by the same director. The original is grounded by its rich characters, and the film made viewers truly invest in their fight for survival. It also featured expertly crafted setpieces, but while Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula has plenty of action, it all feels so very generic.

Peninsula attempted something similar to the Cloverfield franchise, with each entry taking place in the same world, but following a new story and set of characters.

It's fitting that it opts for the Train to Busan Presents moniker, instead of just calling it Train to Busan 2. The follow-up truly feels like an unrelated zombie script that was repurposed and Peninsula relies on clichéd characters and drama, with the overuse of CGI robbing the action of its impact. Had the movie not had the weight of following one of the best zombie movies ever made, it may have been dismissed as a diverting but inessential action/horror romp; as a Train to Busan sequel with no direct connection to the original, it's a total mess.

The film attempted something similar to the Cloverfield franchise, with each entry taking place in the same world, but following a new story and set of characters. It's a spiritual sequel in that sense, with the four-year gap between the events of the original and Peninsula allowing audiences to see what became of South Korea after the zombie outbreak. It's an interesting setup for sure - but one that made for a very familiar zombie adventure.

The Prequel To Train To Busan Is Much Better Than The Sequel

Seoul Station is perfect for Train to Busan fans

Those who enjoyed Train to Busan may not be aware that it has an acclaimed prequel too. While animated spinoffs can vary wildly in of quality, Seoul Station is an amazing prequel that reveals how the outbreak spread. Instead of being a high-octane, fast-moving zombie movie, the prequel is a bleak character study filled with social commentary, as the lowest rung in society start to feel the effects of the outbreak.

Again, Yeon Sang-ho returned to write and direct, and Seoul Station feels far more a part of Train to Busan than its live-action sequel ever did. The prequel has a lot on its mind about South Korean society and its treatment of the homeless, and the downbeat ending only reinforces its themes. Incredibly, Seoul Station stands at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, though it should be noted that it isn't as action-packed or bombastic a ride as Train to Busan.

Train to Busan director Yeon Sang-ho also directed every episode of Netflix's 2024 horror series Parasyte: The Grey.

Train To Busan Deserved A Beter Sequel Than Peninsula

Perhaps Train to Busan 3 can redeem the sequel

Again, the problem with Peninsula is that it just doesn't feel like a true sequel. It was a mistake trying to recapture the success of the first entry in the first place, which was such a tightly crafted piece of work that a follow-up didn't need to happen. There has been talk of a potential Train to Busan 3 continuing to expand the series, but it feels like the disappointment that the second film caused has nixed those plans. James Wan was also set to produce an American remake dubbed The Last Train to New York.

News on that remake has since gone quiet. Maybe it's for the best that no more Train to Busan movies happen, which will allow the original and Seoul Station to stand as great companion pieces. If a third film does enter production, it must recapture the same mix of claustrophobic intensity with relatable, flawed protagonists as the first film. Maybe bringing back Kim Su-an as an older Soo-an would help make the next film feel closer to the spirit of the first film too.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes, The Numbers, Rotten Tomatoes