The trouble with sequels comes with connecting the movies so they work off of one another. In a lot of cases releasing the film several years after the first puts the moviegoer at odds with the current release. If the movie is a standalone effort which this one is however, most all viewers will still have an exciting trip none the less. With the movie sequel Greenland 2: Migration, now in theaters, the excitement rises to a high level and does a pretty good job of entertaining without a previous viewing of Greenland released in 2020. That said you may want to watch the first one on HBO or other platforms before you purchase your ticket.
First just a little stole down memory lane to Greenland 1 where structural engineer John Garrity (Gerard Butler) finds his family, Allison (Morena Baccarin) and Nathan (Roger Dale Floyd), caught up in an irreversible catastrophe about to happen. It involves the arrival of a monstrous comet about to crash into Earth. The giant asteroid named Clarke begins its decent throwing smaller fragments of comet that’s causing havoc throughout the world. In the U.S.A. a lottery inviting specially trained VIP’s is sent out inviting Garrity to join others in the safety of a special bunker in Greenland. Since John is one of the best known engineers that could later rebuild the country, he and his immediate family have been chosen to join with the thousands of “special” guests at the bunker. In that film, John and his family have a nearly impossible trek to get to the safety of the Bunker from Mid Florida to the massive island at the top of the Globe. I really liked this first episode so either watching it again or for the first time it should be exciting to sci-fi lovers.
Part two opens with the Garrity’s having spent 5 years in their bunker sanctuary and with the all-clear announced it’s time to leave. John chooses to take his wife and son to Europe where they will begin a new life at Clark’s crater. To get there however, will take a lot of strength, skill and determination. Taking his chances of creating a successful new chapter Director Ric Roman Waugh teams up with writers Mitchell LaFortune (“Last Breath” and “Kandahar”) and Chris Sparling (“Buried” and “Greenland 1”) to make the 90 million dollar film. Actually Greenland: Migration makes magic with the hefty sum and provides some amazing special effects, remarkable sets and nicely pictured ruined cities. But, I hope it can slide past its predictability and the unrealistic Clarke’s “real estate”, making it a winner.
Greenland: Migration has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for some strong violence, bloody images, and action. The film does a good job for action buffs ages 13+ and as sequels go, this one actually is more fun to watch than number 1. Check out the trailer at the bottom of this review if you desire a taste.
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Gerard Butler, Morena Baccarin, Roman Griffin Davis, Tommie Earl Jenkins
Directed by: Ric Roman Waugh
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some strong violence, bloody images, and action
Running Time: 1 hr. 38 min.
Opening Date: January 9, 2026
Distributed by: Lionsgate and STXfilms
Released in: Theaters
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
