17 Prequels that failed to impress the fans

Prequels are promises to answer lingering questions, find hidden backstories, and make something more of the loved worlds. Not all of them fulfil that magic fans crave, though. Some were desultory due to weak narratives, underdeveloped characters, or unnecessary expansions that felt like cash grabs rather than meaningful additions. From botched origins to missed opportunities, here are 17 prequels that left fans unimpressed and, in some cases, miffed. And on to the stories that tried to capture lightning twice but didn't quite succeed in the end.

1. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

Despite the massive hype, The Phantom Menace did turn out to just leave fans with their heads scratched. The iconic inclusions of Darth Maul and the Jedi Council came at the expense of so much political and trade talk, which deflated much of the fun. Jar Jar Binks became one of the most recognizable worst villains in movie history. Although the film was a visual marvel in its day, the overreliance on CGI alienated the fans who yearned for the gritty charm of the original trilogy.

2. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)

J.K. Rowling's magical world stumbled under The Crimes of Grindelwald, and this film feels rather like a meandering history lesson than an adventure about magic. The narrative was too busy keeping up with various subplots, leaving even the staunchest Harry Potter fan bewildered. Johnny Depp, playing the infamous Grindelwald is polarizing, could not save this film from getting criticism. Dimming its reception has been poor pacing and underdeveloped characters, marking it as a disappointing chapter for the Fantastic Beasts saga.

3. The Hobbit Trilogy (2012-2014)

Unlike the epic love Lord of the Rings, Peter Jackson's The Hobbit Trilogy extended one book into three overblown movies. Although resplendent to look at, too much reliance on CGI had watered down its emotional value. Spectators also complained that the added love triangle, coupled with filler material, had detracted from Bilbo's lovable adventure. Even stalwarts like Martin Freeman and Ian McKellen couldn't make this trilogy conjure the same magic as their film on the predecessor. Critics argue that its indulgent runtime and lack of narrative focus weakened its legacy.

4. Dracula Untold (2014)

Dracula Untold sought to reinvent the age-old vampire story with a darker, more sympathetic take on this iconic character. It had a new origin story for Dracula; however, nothing more was living up to expectations. The film seemed to lack the coordination between action and mythological storytelling, while the emotional depth of the characters was absent. The movie had great visuals and featured Luke Evans in a charming performance but could not engage viewers enough, disappointing many because of the film's lack of cohesiveness.

5. X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019)

Dark Phoenix was anticlimactic as a prequel and conclusion to the X-Men saga. The film tried to really capture Jean Grey's transformation but could not approximate the intensity with action. Fans saw the lackluster script, the uneven pacing of the movie, and the hollow clutching of key moments left rushed. Even with Sophie Turner's commendable effort as Jean, the movie couldn't salvage the dwindling reputation of the franchise.

6. Pan (2015)

This origin story of Peter Pan attempted to be a fresh spin on the timelessness of this tale but proved unable to have any impact at all. How anyone thought placing Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" in such a fantasy setting was a good idea is absolutely baffling to viewers. Meanwhile, Hugh Jackman's ostentatious take on Blackbeard provided some entertainment within the uneven plot. The film's tone was inconsistent, and it lacked emotional depth, making it forgettable. Pan sank at the box office despite its ambitious visuals.

7. Cruel Intentions 2 (2000)

Cruel Intentions 2 was an attempt to recapture the seductive, manipulative magic of the first film, but it couldn't quite match up to its parent. A high school prequel, it did not have the sharp wit or chemistry that made Cruel Intentions a cult classic. The plot was forced, and the characters were familiar but two-dimensional, unable to draw anyone in. The movie returned to the same theme of power and manipulation but was poorly executed, disappointing fans with its lack of originality and depth. It could not make a meaningful impact.

8. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)

This sequel-prequel hybrid would attempt to delve into the origin of Silver Surfer, but it went as a huge disappointment. Praise for visual effects on the titular character is the only thing worthwhile because the lousy storyline and uninspired performance disappointed fans. Additionally, the movie also wasted what could have been the potential Galactus, degrading the very villainous entity to a simple cloud. A dull humor coupled with no stake at all in Rise of the Silver Surfer added another missed chance for Marvel's First Family.

9. The Thing (2011)

Marketed as a prequel to John Carpenter's 1982 classic, The Thing tried to explain to the audience about the events leading up to that original movie. Beneath the pure intentions, however, CGI robbed the practicality that established the predecessor to such heights of iconic status. Originality just wasn't there, and over-reliance on jump scares were thoroughly disappointing for fans of the classic. Though it filled in some backstory, the film was not able to capture the suspense and paranoia that made Carpenter's version a cult classic.

10. Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd (2003)

This was a prequel to the ridiculously popular Dumb and Dumber; it stirred near-universal derision. It lacked Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels; without them, it didn't have its own charm and comedic timing that made the original hit. Critics condemned the juvenile humor and very poorly written jokes, which felt like a cheap imitation of the original. The whole story of Harry and Lloyd's budding friendship was interesting on paper, but couldn't save this movie from being an outright flop.

11. Exorcist: The Beginning (2004)

A prequel to the classic The Exorcist, this film lived up to high expectations but lacked in every respect. The film was about the first experience of Father Merrin with demonic forces; it lacked all that made the first a haunting film. The over-dependence on jump scares and gore robbed the psychological horror fans loved from this film. The production history was also tainted as the film they shot was scrapped and replaced by this dud. Fans and critics alike failed to remember its existence and labeled it unnecessary.

12. Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)

This prequel of The Wizard of Oz had quite a strong cast, including James Franco and Mila Kunis. However, they failed to put across the charm of the movie. The overall tone of this film was so uneven that despite its visual effects, it was somewhat a mixed bag of humor and drama. Character development was pretty shallow, at least for fans, especially how Mila Kunis was presented as the Wicked Witch. The movie failed to impress the die-hard fans of the classic because of its ambitious attempt to expand the lore of Oz.

13. The Scorpion King (2002)

The Scorpion King had potential because it was a spin-off of The Mummy, but it didn't quite meet the expectations of the fans. Dwayne Johnson's charisma as the titular character was a bright spot in the film, but the weak plot, underdeveloped characters, and low-budget effects were disappointing. It lacked the humor and adventure that made The Mummy so great, and instead, it felt like a cash grab. In reality, the action sequences did little to enhance the larger mythology. Fans were somewhat disappointed by its overall execution.

14. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans attempted to take the Underworld franchise to the next level by revealing the roots of the war between the vampires and the lycans. Unfortunately, the film did not please many of the fans. The film was action-oriented and filled with lore, but it was short on suspense and intensity, which made the first two memorable. The reliance on predictable tropes and underdeveloped characters made viewers feel disconnected, and its attempt to build upon the franchise's mythology did not quite ring with the resonance one had hoped for.

15. The Huntsman: Winter’s War (2016)

This sequel/prequel to Snow White and The Huntsman tried to add more lore to the fairy tale but was quite a failure. Charlize Theron and Emily Blunt are great, but it is not exactly memorable. This is because of the messy plot and the failure to develop emotion in the story. Excluding Kristen Stewart's Snow White makes fans wonder where the movie went wrong. Production design is impressive, but it feels like it is just there to be seen rather than to add depth to the franchise.

16. Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006)

This prequel explored Leatherface's past but left the audience with little except gratuitous violence. The gore in this film was non-stop, eclipsing any chance of suspense and even the motive behind the characters. Critics pointed out that the back story added nothing meaningful to the horror legend and made the film a cash grab. While it had some scares, it could not match the raw terror of the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

17. 300: Rise of an Empire (2014)

300: Rise of an Empire attempted to cash in on the success of its prequel but managed to fail in doing so. The visual style was magnificent, and the action sequences were exceptional, but the lack of emotional depth and missing narrative muscle contributed to no stroke of magic like the original 300. The film failed to focus on the naval battles and new characters that were expected. It seemed to be more of a style prequel, as it did not manage to meet the expectations set by the first film.