The Crow (2024) did not get the reception that Lionsgate had hoped for. After spending nearly two decades in production limbo, the remake was torched by fans and critics alike. It's currently playing in theaters, and Rotten Tomatoes has the film sitting at a lowly 20% critics score. Not ideal.
The Crow is, historically, a franchise that has struggled to live up to the promise of the original film. The 1994 Crow was a moody masterstroke bolstered by director Alex Proyas and star Brandon Lee. It was always going to be hard to recapture the magic, as evidenced by the long history of bad sequels.
The best Crow sequel is actually the TV show
If you were one of the many who were disappointed by the new Crow film, we do have a potential fix. It's not a film, nor is it a simple order to rewatch the 1994 original. Instead, it's a recommendation to check out the forgotten 1998-99 TV series The Crow: Stairway to Heaven.
Stairway to Heaven did not get the fanfare that the Crow's theatrical sequels got, but it's the only release that tried to continue the storyline of the first film. The sequels simply took the premise of resurrection and revenge and assigned it to less interesting characters. The TV series, though, kept the focus on the original Crow, Eric Draven.
Mark Dacascos plays the role originated by Brandon Lee. The actor not only possesses the presence necessary to play such an intimidating character, but the physicality to believably take out those who are preying on the weak. It's the best recasting of the role to date, and that includes Bill Skarsgaard (who tries hard, but never gets a chance to really blossom in the new film).
Stairway to Heaven actually deepens the Draven story
The Crow: Stairway to Heaven follows Eric Draven as he returns to Earth and is forced to reckon with the consequences of his action. While he was originally driven by vengeance, he realizes that he must forge a path of redemption if he is to be reunited with his soulmate.
The show only ran for 22 episodes, but it provides a natural progression for Draven after the events of the first film. It's got an X-Files vibe to it, and a surprisingly deep roster of guest stars that include Anthony Michael Hall, Corey Feldman, and future Oscar nominee John Hawkes.
It's the best Crow sequel there is. The tricky part is tracking it down. Stairway to Heaven is not available on any streaming platforms. That being said, there are select episodes on YouTube or various other sites. A quick Google search should turn up some promising results. We promise it's worth seeking out.