19 Sequels that were not really up to the mark

How many times have fans rushed to the theatre, excited for a sequel that does justice to its first part, but ended up walking out wishing they’d stayed home? The purpose of a sequel in cinema is to extend the legacy of a franchise, helping its story and characters connect with audiences across generations. However, several of them failed to live up to the hype of their predecessor, whether because of lackluster performances, flimsy storylines, or an obvious attempt to live off the original’s fame. Here are 20 movie sequels that could not match the expectations and deliver the same charm as the original film.

1) Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2

Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (2000), a sequel to the original—The Blair Witch Project (1999), broke away from the franchise's signature found-footage style, choosing a more conventional narrative approach. The characters, plot, and cinematography seemed to highly disappoint the audience, as they did not find it as horrifying as its predecessor. The haunting eeriness is gone, instead, this one is just a wild, unpredictable ride.

2) Jaws: The Revenge

Critics and audiences were not particularly fans of this sequel after the success of the first two Jaws films. They complained that the movie lacked a logical storyline, and certain parts felt unnecessarily prolonged. The acting was subpar, falling short of what fans had expected from such a star-studded cast, and received 2% on Rotten Tomatoes. Jaws: The Revenge (1987) ultimately failed to live up to the high expectations set by its predecessors.

3) Speed 2: Cruise Control

Although Sandra Bullocks tried her best to rescue this sinking ship, the absence of Keanu Reeves was one of the major drawbacks of this sequel. It didn't sit well with the fans. Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997) struggled to recapture the pulse-pounding suspense of the original. The plot felt dull, underwhelming, and overly far-fetched. It lacked continuity and the strong action sequences that everyone had hoped for. The sequel received an underwhelming 4% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 4/10 on IMDb.

4) The Next Karate Kid

Even with two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank in the cast, this movie felt like a misstep in the otherwise beloved Karate Kid saga and received a 4.6/10 on IMDb and 7% on Rotten Tomatoes. The plot revolves around a young woman struggling to cope with anger, loss, and the trials of high school, but it fails to evoke the same emotional depth that made the original movies such a hit among fans. In the end, The Next Karate Kid (1994) failed to connect with the audience, paling in comparison to the OGs.

5) Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde

Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003) couldn't amuse the audience with the same intensity as the previous film. The plot was overloaded with slapstick comedy and did not have much substance to deliver. Fans were excited to see Reese Witherspoon playing Elle again but the script did not do justice to her performance. The story largely overlooked the character's personal and emotional growth, making it a little too predictable. The sequel was featured on Entertainment Weekly's list of "The Top 25 Worst Sequels Ever Made" back in 2006.

6) Highlander II: The Quickening

While the original Highlander became a sensation among fans with its epic tale of immortals locked in a battle across time, its sequel, Highlander 2: The Quickening (1991), was a major letdown. The script was illogical and absurd, filled with ridiculous plot twists. It seemed like a cluttered and overblown continuation that failed to capture the magic of the original film and received a shocking 0% on Rotten Tomatoes. Additionally, the sequel only grossed approximately $13 million against a budget of $19 million.

7) Mulan II

Missing the same action-packed punch and empowering storyline as the first part, Mulan II (2004) didn't meet the high hopes of the audience. There was an evident drop in the overall animation quality. Even the background score and romantic subplot weren't nearly as entertaining as the original. While it is occasionally enjoyable, thanks to the humor of the supporting characters, ultimately, it couldn't deliver the same heartfelt impact.

8) Home Sweet Home Alone

The Home Alone franchise is a nostalgic treasure for fans, especially those who grew up watching the original Home Alone (1990). If you're looking to relive that childhood warmth, Home Sweet Home Alone (2021) might not be what you’re after. The film comes across as trying too hard to be funny with recycled plot lines and similar traps as seen in the original. Overall, the film didn't do justice to its predecessor and received a 3.6/10 on IMDb.

9) Men in Black: International

Most fans of the iconic Men in Black series felt that the last sequel, Men in Black: International (2019), was rather basic. Featuring new stars like Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson, the movie aimed to bring more excitement, but it didn't turn out to be as legendary as anticipated. The dialogue didn't quite hit, and the plot seemed quite predictable. According to Tom Rothman, Sony's studio boss, in an interview with Business Insider said, "If we made any mistake, I think it probably was that there was not a strong enough idea in the story."

10) Thor: Love And Thunder

Fans did not seem very happy with this sequel as it failed to fill the shoes of its blockbuster prequel, Thor: Ragnarok (2017), or even the earlier Thor movies, for that matter. With an overuse of humor, a chaotic plot, a lack of emotional depth, and Christian Bale’s surprisingly limited on-screen presence, Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) fell far short of what the fans had expected. However, the film was a box-office hit and grossed $760 million globally.

11) Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017) lacked the same level of thrill, adventure, and magic as its previous installments. Johnny Depp's character as Captain Jack Sparrow is known for its eccentricity and unpredictable nature, but somehow in this sequel, it seemed like the charm was wearing off. For those who hoped for a bold new adventure from this franchise, it doesn’t offer anything groundbreaking.

12) Zoolander 2

Zoolander 2 (2016) falls flat on the substance and might dishearten you if you're a die-hard fan of the original Zoolander (2001). The humor felt forced, with bizarre cameos and off-the-wall jokes that didn’t connect. The fragmented, over-complicated plot lacked cohesion, leaving fans questioning how a sequel could go so wrong. The magic and natural humor were missing. It gave the audience a hard time trying to connect with the characters and received only a 4.7/10 on IMDb and a 22% on Rotten Tomatoes.

13) Cars 2

The original Cars (2006) was an entertaining and delightful watch, while the sequel was more of a bumpy ride. Cars 2 (2011) failed to keep the spark alive. The emotional quotient that made us all connect to McQueen in the first film, is missing in the second. Instead of delving into his relationships or character development, this movie focuses more on speed-driven spy work. The charm feels stripped away from what made us love the animated cars in the first place. However, it is still worth a watch but it may not be as good as the first.

14) Terminator Salvation

Even with Christian Bale playing John Connor in this Terminator movie, it lagged in comparison. The absence of a well-structured script and an epic plot was evident in every scene. Fans have always had high hopes for this franchise, but Terminator Salvation (2009) didn’t quite make the cut. The action sequences were on point, but overall, the story and characters had no depth as such. However, the film succeeded at the box office and made $371 million globally.

15) Superman IV: The Quest for Peace

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987) received shockingly negative reviews. With its unclear plot and poor sequences, it seems like a tacky, low-cost blunder. Additionally, the poor special effects added to the movie's failure. It received an underwhelming 3.7/10 on IMDb and a 10% on Rotten Tomatoes. It lacked the essential superhero elements that the other Superman movies had. If you were hoping for a grand Superman saga, this may not be the one.

16) Batman & Robin

Batman & Robin (1997) felt like an uninvited detour in Gotham's legacy. Packed with cliched dialogues, awkward humor, and a desperate attempt at a 'cool' plot, this new take on the Batman story faced widespread criticism from audiences. Fans were far from impressed with the outcome, as the characters lacked depth or development. Most importantly, the gravitas that defines the Batman franchise was glaringly missing in this sequel. It received a shocking 12% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 3.8/10 on IMDb.

17) Exorcist II: The Heretic

The Exorcist (1973) became a cult classic among fans with its bone-chilling horror and unsettling narrative. However, Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977) fell short of the high standards set by its previous predecessor. It relied more on a psychological approach rather than the terrifying paranormal elements of the original film, ultimately failing to create a logical plot, and is considered one of the movies ever made.

18) Jurassic Park III

One of the biggest complaints about this sequel was how it almost ignored the character arcs and stories set up in earlier movies of the Jurassic Park series. The iconic Dr. Alan Grant, played by Sam Neill, felt somewhat off track in this movie, and fans expressed clear disappointment regarding the lack of a more adventurous plot. While it's fun to watch, Jurassic Park III (2001) didn't attract the audience in the same way the originals did.

19) Hangover Part III

The Hangover (2009) had fans rolling on the floor with laughter with some of its iconic scenes and dialogues. However, the franchise could not retain the same craze in this sequel. It seemed like a worn-out repeat of what we'd seen before, with a bizarre plot just for the sake of it. Ultimately, The Hangover Part III (2019) focused more on wrapping things up than delivering the laughs we had eagerly anticipated.