What Is an Interquel? Definition, Famous Movie Examples, and How to Write One

Key Takeaways

• An interquel takes place chronologically between two previously released stories in a franchise (Functioning as a sequel to the first and a prequel to the second).
• A midquel is a closely related sibling term that takes place during a gap or time-jump inside a single existing story.
• The greatest narrative challenge of an interquel is creating genuine stakes when the audience already knows both the starting point and the destination.
• Successful interquels succeed by focusing on character transformations, emotional consequences, and world-building gaps rather than just filling in plot timeline trivia.

Introduction

We know how the first movie ended, and we know exactly where the next chapter begins. But what happened during that lost gap of time in between? That is the sweet spot of the interquel.

While a classic sequel pushes a story forward into uncharted territory and a prequel travels back to reveal origins, an interquel slips directly into the middle of an existing franchise timeline. It takes place after one established story, but before another that has already been released.

Writing an interquel is like landing a plane on a runway built between two skyscrapers. You’re bound by what came before and what must happen after. But when done right, an interquel doesn’t just fill in a blank space on a timeline — it enriches the films on either side, making the entire franchise feel deeper and more complex.

In this guide, we’ll break down what an interquel is, how it compares to a midquel, why filmmakers write them, famous movie examples, and how you can use Celtx’s story development tools to outline interquels that keep audiences hooked.

Let’s jump in…

What Is an Interquel?

An interquel is a story set chronologically between two existing works in a franchise.

The term combines the prefix inter- (meaning “between”) with sequel. By definition, an interquel serves as a sequel to the earlier installment while acting as a prequel to the later one.

An interquel might take place:

• During a multi-year time gap between two major movie releases.
• Immediately following the climax of Movie #1 and leading directly into the opening frame of Movie #2.
• Across an off-screen war, training period, or character separation mentioned briefly in dialogue.

For instance, if Film A came out in 2015 and Film B came out in 2018, a film released in 2026 that tells a story taking place in the narrative gap between Film A and Film B is an interquel.

It’s all about temporal placement. Regardless of release order, its narrative is anchored firmly in the middle.

Interquel vs Midquel vs Sequel vs Prequel

Because franchise terminology can get confusing quickly, let’s clarify how these overlapping story types compare:

The Nuance: Interquel vs Midquel

While many writers use the terms interchangeably, there is a helpful distinction:

• Interquel: Bridges two different released works. (Black Widow takes place after Captain America: Civil War and before Avengers: Infinity War.) 
• Midquel (or Intraquel): Expands on a gap within a single work. (The Lion King 1½ takes place during the events of the original The Lion King.) 

The difference matters once you start writing. An interquel has to connect the ending of one film to the opening of another, while a midquel has to fit around scenes the audience has already watched. Either way, a character bible helps you track where each character stands at every point in the timeline, and the Celtx Beat Sheet lets you map those fixed moments before you start drafting.

Famous Examples of Interquels

When executed well, interquels give fans a fresh perspective on movies they thought they already understood completely.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

Rogue One is the gold standard of modern interquels. It is set chronologically between Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) and Episode IV – A New Hope (1977). It bridges the gap between the fall of the Jedi and the opening scene of A New Hope, transforming a famous line of opening-crawl exposition into a high-stakes heist and war story.

Saw X (2023)

Instead of continuing after the timeline of Saw 3D or Spiral, Saw X steps back to fit neatly between Saw (2004) and Saw II (2005). This allowed the filmmakers to bring back a prime John Kramer (Jigsaw) for a personal, character-driven story without having to resurrect him or rely on convoluted retcons.

Black Widow (2021)

Set immediately after Captain America: Civil War and prior to Avengers: Infinity War, Black Widow explores Natasha Romanoff’s isolated period on the run. The film provides crucial emotional context for her sacrifices later in the MCU timeline.

Bambi II (2006) – The Classic Midquel Example

Disney’s Bambi II is a classic midquel. Rather than taking place after Bambi grows up, the entire story is set within the time jump right after Bambi loses his mother and before he reaches adulthood in the original 1942 film.

Why Do Studios and Writers Choose Interquels?

Interquels are a secret weapon for franchise storytelling. They allow creators to:

1. Revisit Favorite Eras: Bring back iconic characters, aesthetics, or actors at a specific stage in their lives.
2. Capitalize on Off-Screen Gaps: Take a throwaway line of dialogue (like Natasha and Clint’s running reference to Budapest in The Avengers, which Black Widow finally revisited) and turn it into a full feature film.
3. Avoid Undoing Endings: You don’t have to ruin a satisfying series finale if you set your new story in the space between Chapter 2 and Chapter 3.
4. Deepen Emotional Context: Reframe why a character acts the way they do in the later film.

Common Mistakes: Why Interquels Fail (And How to Avoid Them)

Writing between two fixed points presents unique narrative traps:

1. Lack of Genuine Stakes

If the audience knows the hero survives to appear in the next movie, physical danger alone won’t create suspense.

• The Fix: Shift focus from physical survival to emotional cost. What relationships break? What beliefs are shattered? Threaten something the audience doesn’t know the fate of.

2. Continuity Clutter & “Checklist Writing”

Interquels can easily become an exercise in trivia — spending two hours explaining where a character got a coat or why a vehicle has a scratch.

• The Fix: Prioritize a self-contained emotional arc. Use Celtx Beat Sheets to ensure your scene beats serve the central conflict, not just franchise Easter eggs.

3. Boxed-In Character Arcs

Because the character must end up in the exact state they are in at the start of Movie #2, writers often feel restricted.

• The Fix: Allow internal growth that later gets challenged or lost. A character might find peace in the interquel, only for the events of the next film to tear it away.

How to Write a Great Interquel in Celtx

Ready to draft a story set in the middle of a larger saga? Here is how to keep your narrative tight:

FAQ: Writing Interquels & Midquels

Conclusion

An interquel proves that the space between two stories can be just as thrilling as what comes after. By discovering hidden emotional depth in a timeline gap, you can make an entire franchise feel fresh and vital again.

Ready to plot your interquel or midquel? Use Celtx to structure your beats, map character arcs, and write industry-standard scripts that bridge any narrative gap. Start writing for free today!