The 10 Worst Sequels of the Last 10 Years

Among Hollywood films, no other type garners both intense adoration and criticism as much as sequels do. Critics claim they’re tired of seeing repetitive narratives and characters, lamenting the absence of fresh ideas in cinematography. They yearn for the times when studios invested more energy into developing unique intellectual properties rather than endlessly revisiting the same old ones.

It’s often claimed that sequels aren’t successful. However, when you examine the annual box office charts, it turns out that sequels typically rank at or near the highest positions. For instance, in the year 2024, the top four movies were all sequels – Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, Moana 2, and Despicable Me 4. Remarkably, five out of the top ten movies in 2023 were sequels as well. This trend consistently repeats itself year after year.

Interestingly enough, sequels often fall short despite their initial success. Some of the most lucrative franchises have produced numerous sequels that lack artistic merit. Over the past ten years, we’ve seen a multitude of such examples, leading ScreenCrush to create a list of the worst sequels from this period (plus additional honorable mentions). It’s these types of sequels that make people dislike them, yet they continue to purchase tickets for most of them.

The 10 Worst Sequels of the Last 10 Years (2015-2024)

10. Inferno (2016)

The Robert Langdon films weren’t outstanding, but “Inferno” was by far the weakest. Its plot is questionable: A radical scientist plans to save the world by reducing its population in half through a biological weapon. He kills himself, setting the virus release in three days, yet he also creates complex puzzles and riddles that could potentially stop the release of the virus. It’s illogical; why not just set off the virus and be done with it? Creating a trail of clues might prevent its release but also risks its continuation.

This is typical for a sequel filled with confusing aspects, such as nobody in a renowned art museum noticing a valuable piece has been stolen until the thief returns to request the security footage, which clearly shows him taking it! The staff at this museum should have been dismissed, along with the filmmakers.

9. Expend4bles (2023)

Right from the start, “The Expendables” series has been more of an enticing marketing concept than a truly successful franchise. To be honest, the notion of veteran action stars uniting for one final, epic fight was an excellent marketing ploy. However, in reality, “Expendables 4” falls short of its own promise; by this point in the series, only Sylvester Stallone and Dolph Lundgren are among the original action heroes, and their roles are relatively minimal.

In terms of action sequences, there’s one exciting showdown between Jason Statham and Iko Uwais that barely lasts, making this film less of a thrilling action movie than anticipated. The effects are mostly CGI, and they not only appear poor but also create an atmosphere completely at odds with the gritty, realistic violence associated with 1980s action movies. In fact, the title of these films has never felt more fitting.

8. Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension (2015)

In the realm of the paranormal, I can’t help but draw a comparison with the initial “Paranormal Activity” film. This movie revolved around an intense search for any hint of the supernatural, with a couple recording themselves while they slept, hoping to capture something eerie. Although their videos showed strange occurrences, it wasn’t until it was too late that truly otherworldly images appeared.

Contrastingly, within the first 20 minutes of “The Ghost Dimension”, our protagonists have gathered enough footage of specters, demons, and ghostly dimensions to fundamentally transform life on Earth. Yet, instead of using this evidence to make a difference, they continue filming as their lives spiral downwards… quite literally into the depths of the underworld!

If you’re a fan of “Paranormal Activity” who felt misled by this disappointing sequel, I’m sure you can empathize.

7. Independence Day: Resurgence (2016)

The initial “Independence Day” may not have been a cinematic masterpiece, but it did boast some impressive performances and spectacular special effects for its time. It also showed the impact of destruction, with characters’ last moments being vividly portrayed as they were engulfed by flames or buried under debris. Contrasting this, “Resurgence” shows the devastation of society on a massive scale, mostly off-screen, making it feel impersonal. The destruction of half the world is so extensive that it fails to evoke any emotion. This lack of emotional connection isn’t helped by the absence of Will Smith in “Resurgence,” and the actors who took his place were lacking in charisma. To add insult to injury, the ending of “Resurgence” hinted at another sequel, which I hope this franchise never experiences again.

6. Fast X (2023)

Originally, the Fast & Furious series was a popular franchise that appreciated viewers who followed along closely. Now it seems to frustrate them instead. Caring about the characters only leads to questioning their actions in Fast X, as some of them behave completely differently compared to previous movies. (For instance, does Jakob Toretto have amnesia? Does John Cena? What transpired between F9 and Fast X that turned him from a brooding, ruthless killer to a cheerful, joking mentor figure?!) Pondering the plot will only leave you baffled as you struggle to piece together this uninteresting but puzzling revenge story with its sluggish tempo. However, the title Fast X could be seen as its own critical review, albeit a rather poor one.

5. Jurassic World Dominion (2022)

Viewers anticipated two key elements from what was supposed to be the final Jurassic World film: A reunion with characters from the original Jurassic Park and a narrative delving into the chaos of a contemporary world overrun by dinosaurs. Co-writer/director Colin Trevorrow fulfilled the first wish but failed miserably on the second. Rather than developing a story that progressed from the cliffhanger ending in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, he combined two distinct Jurassic casts for an absurd plot revolving around genetically engineered locusts devastating the world’s food resources. By the time all human characters gather at a strategically placed dinosaur sanctuary for a repetitive third-act replay of the classic Jurassic storyline, one might wish for their own demise.

4. Justice League (2017)

3. Hot Tub Time Machine 2 (2015)

In the initial “Hot Tub Time Machine” movie, it might not be comparable to Charles Dickens, but it was inventive enough to intertwine a self-improvement narrative amidst the risqué antics of a band of friends grappling with their shared midlife crises. With the emotional issues of its protagonists resolved in the first film, the sequel primarily served as an opportunity to splash around as much bodily fluids and hot tub water as possible, as three out of four main cast members from the original find themselves unintentionally transported into the future in search of a mysterious assailant who wounded Rob Corddry’s character. (John Cusack, one of the “Hot Tub” stars, did not reprise his role for the sequel, instead being replaced by Adam Scott as his character’s son.) The creators of “Hot Tub Time Machine” were fortunate to get away with such a concept once; such a bolt of creativity seldom strikes twice, even with a time-traveling hot tub.

2. Meg 2: The Trench (2023)

In a different take, let me clarify: The original Meg wasn’t Jaws, nor was it Jaws: The Final Frenzy. I had given it a favorable critique back in 2018. However, this tedious sequel drags on for what feels like an eternity without even a hint of the Meg (short for ‘megalodon’, a giant prehistoric shark) while characters explore an illicit underwater mining operation. The film clocks in over 90 minutes before the shark-attack action starts – by then, I was so bored that I couldn’t appreciate it.

1. Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021)

In “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” Warner Bros. portrayed itself as a heartless conglomerate of intellectual properties controlled by a malevolent algorithm, essentially taking a self-deprecating jab in cinematic terms. The movie, overall, was weak and unfunny, making the original “Space Jam” feel like a masterpiece akin to “2001: A Space Odyssey.” LeBron James is not a poor actor; he’s no worse than Michael Jordan was in the initial film. However, almost everything else about “A New Legacy” was cringe-worthy from start to finish. It appears the creators failed to grasp the charm of Looney Tunes, and Bugs Bunny, in particular, was turned into a whiny character. My recommendation: Instead of watching this, spend some time viewing recent “Looney Tunes Cartoons.” A random short from these series contains at least five times more laughs than this entire two-hour movie. Plus, the animation quality is superior.

“In my humble opinion as a film enthusiast: Some films that deserve a nod include “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald,” “Glass,” “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” both “Jurassic World” and its sequel “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” “Rambo: Last Blood,” “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” “Wonder Woman 1984,” and lastly, “Zoolander 2.” Each of these movies offers unique perspectives within their respective genres.

20 Sequels You Forgot Existed

Bad Santa 2

In simpler terms, the original “Bad Santa” didn’t need a sequel, but one was made anyway called “Bad Santa 2.” The original directors and writers were not involved, which was a concern. After an intriguing start that exposed the insincerity of movie endings, the rest of the film essentially repeated the first one. Billy Bob Thornton reprised his role as the foul-mouthed Santa, this time joined by his mother, played by Kathy Bates. The problem is, “Bad Santa” was already a stretch to begin with – it combined Christmas themes with adult humor, which seemed improbable. Trying to pull off that combination twice would have been nothing short of a miracle during the holidays.

Zoolander 2

In the original Zoolander, a hilarious mix of pop culture spoofing and star-studded appearances continues to entertain. Unfortunately, Zoolander 2 offers more celebrity cameos as a diversion from the lack of satire or genuine humor. Ignore the forced jabs at Zoolander’s overweight son (Cyrus Arnold)! Look! There’s co-writer Justin Theroux portraying the headmaster of an unusual Italian orphanage! When he runs out of famous faces to showcase (which isn’t often), director and star Ben Stiller resorts to quirky fashion and references to the first film. The movie exudes a sense of desperation, much like an expensive cologne Derek would promote with a flash of Blue Steel.

Basic Instinct 2

Sharon Stone possesses an uncanny knack for turning mundane lines into something sensual, bordering on extraordinary. However, despite her remarkable skills, the film “Basic Instinct 2” failed to impress from start to finish. In the movie, Stone’s performances (almost overperformances) outshine David Morrissey’s character, who never once appears as her equal. It remains unclear why she is attracted to him, unless it’s because she perceives him as an easy prey and decides to feast on him for amusement, much like a praying mantis. The character Catherine is portrayed as an addiction to risk-taking, but she takes no risks when confronting this weak opponent. It’s no surprise that this sequel is now largely forgotten.

Blair Witch

The success of “The Blair Witch Project” can be attributed to its ability to convince viewers that the events portrayed were genuine, or at least to create an atmosphere where they could suspend their disbelief and accept the footage as real. However, crafting a sequel, let alone a trilogy, from reality is extremely challenging. The second “Blair Witch” film abandoned its signature found-footage approach; for the third installment, the unique twist was that it was covertly filmed and initially marketed under a different title, “The Woods.” It wasn’t until the first preview audiences watched “The Woods” in a theater that everyone discovered it was actually a secret sequel titled “Blair Witch.” Deceiving audiences into watching a movie often leads to positive outcomes!

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance

In my opinion, I found this lesser-known Ghost Rider sequel to surpass the original, yet it failed to reach the wild, intense levels that a Neveldine/Taylor Nicolas Cage superhero flick ought to deliver. The updated, grittier design of Ghost Rider and his bike was spot on in this installment, but unfortunately, he didn’t appear as frequently as I would have liked.

Now, let me tell you something interesting – while Nicolas Cage certainly shines with his bouts of eccentricity in this sequel, his performance in the first movie was even more extraordinary. There, he donned an incomprehensible Elvis accent and showcased a more pronounced set of peculiarities that made the character truly stand out. This could be why the film seems to have slipped into obscurity.

Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe

Daddy Day Camp

It appeared as though nobody associated with “Daddy Day Care” was keen on participating in this deviated follow-up. The original cast members, Eddie Murphy, Jeff Garlin, Steve Zahn, and Regina King, had been replaced by Cuba Gooding Jr., Paul Rae, Josh McLerran, and Tamala Jones. Even the director, Steve Carr, was no longer involved.

Originally, the story revolved around Murphy and Garlin mastering the art of running a daycare. In this sequel, they transition to managing a camp, which given their improved childcare abilities, should have been a success. However, since it’s a follow-up, everything once again spirals out of control, mirroring the fate of the movie itself.

Dumb and Dumber To

It doesn’t mean something is bad just because it’s forgotten. I personally believe that “Dumb and Dumber To” is a well-made film. If you find humor in two thirty-somethings behaving like reckless fools, then the sight of two fifty-somethings acting similarly is downright amusing – and all the more funny because it’s unexpected. However, it seems I’m the only one who feels this way. The movie has a poor 2.3 average rating on Letterboxd, and it appears to have slipped from the memories of most people who watched it.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

The sequel to the 2008 film adaptation of Jules Verne’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” which starred Brendan Fraser and Josh Hutcherson, is quite an unusual case. Instead of returning to the center of the Earth, this time around, it features Dwayne Johnson who replaced Fraser. The low demand for Johnson’s films in the late 2000s is evident from this casting switch. In contrast to the original, this sequel transports us not to the Earth’s core but to the enigmatic island from Verne’s 1875 novel, teeming with a variety of strange and diverse creatures. Due to its distinct title, setting, and leading character, it’s questionable whether many viewers recognized “Journey 2” as a sequel to “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” especially if they were even aware of it at all.

Major League: Back to the Minors

Is the setting of this film the Major Leagues or the Minor Leagues? Can’t we make up our minds here?

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Money Never Sleeps,” featured Shia LaBeouf in a complicated storyline where Gekko re-enters the financial world following his prison term, seeking retribution against those who ruined his profession. Gekko’s famous speech about greed resonated throughout the 80s. However, “Money Never Sleeps” was so unremarkable that it’s barely remembered a decade later.

The Craft: Legacy

The movie “The Craft” turned into one of the ’90s most popular cult films. Unfortunately, its sequel, named “The Craft: Legacy”, was released at the peak of the pandemic and failed to leave a significant mark. However, considering it features Cailee Spaeny, who has since starred in “Priscilla”, “Civil War”, and “Alien: Romulus”, it appears that this film is ripe for its own cult following.

Pacific Rim Uprising

As for Cailee Spaeny, I must say she graced the screen in the lackluster sequel to Guillermo del Toro’s cherished kaiju vs. robot spectacle, “Pacific Rim.” Regrettably, del Toro played a minimal role in this spin-off, set a decade after the original, focusing on Spaeny and a fresh batch of robotic warriors (including John Boyega from “Star Wars”) as they fight off another kaiju attack. In a universe where del Toro’s “Pacific Rim” thrives and is easily accessible, there seems to be little incentive for me to watch this pale imitation.

Arthur 2: On the Rocks

Initially, it’s hard to deny that the original Arthur, released in the ’80s, was a massive hit, with Dudley Moore portraying a lovable alcoholic who must agree to marry a woman he dislikes to save his family’s fortune. The film showcased Arthur’s gradual maturation (to some extent), as he fell in love, managed his fortune, and took his first steps toward adulthood.

However, the sequel, Arthur 2: On the Rocks, was essentially a rehash of the original story, giving Arthur another chance to learn similar lessons (and drink excessively) while fighting for his fortune once more. The film’s existence seemed solely motivated by money-making purposes and failed to achieve significant success at the box office. (It must be admitted though: Titling the sequel to a movie about a troubled alcoholic On the Rocks is quite witty.)

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny

Nowadays, a new Netflix movie is released each week, which was hardly imaginable just a few years ago. Back then, the idea of a Netflix original film was practically unheard of; one of the earliest examples, in early 2016, was actually a sequel to the popular martial-arts film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, with Michelle Yeoh reprising her role from the original. (Notably, Yuen Woo-ping took over as director from Ang Lee.) Although the first movie turned out to be a massive box-office success and an Oscar winner, its sequel, titled “Crouching Tiger 2”, had minimal impact. Unbeknownst to many, “The Sword of Destiny” is currently available on Netflix, waiting to be discovered.

The Jesus Rolls

From a technical standpoint, this could be considered more of a spin-off than a direct sequel, but either way, it carries on the escapades of the eccentric bowler Jesus Quintana, portrayed by John Turturro, from The Big Lebowski. Remarkably, despite its connection to what might just be the most iconic cult hits of the past half-century, when it was released in 2019, it seemed as though no one even realized the film existed. Now, it’s as if this tree fell in a forest with no one around to hear it – largely unnoticed and forgotten.

300: Rise of an Empire

300 marked a pivotal moment, where the fascination with graphic novels as potential film material met the advancements in digital technology and filmmakers like Zack Snyder, who aimed to transform captivating comic art into even more powerful moving images. However, one can only astonish viewers once; the novelty had worn off by 300: Rise of an Empire, and so did Snyder, as he didn’t direct the sequel (although he did contribute to its screenplay).

His substitute, Noam Murro, produced something akin to a high-intensity video game; even the extended sword fights have the shiny, slightly unsettling aesthetic of overly stylized cut scenes. Given the historical background of 300, you’d know it wasn’t the simplest narrative to carry on in a sequel. Therefore, Rise of an Empire combined aspects of a prequel, a sequel, and a generous amount of slow-motion to create a movie that, empirically speaking, fell short of expectations.

The Pink Panther 2

Here’s another way of putting it:

Rings

Fans of The Ring series struggle to recall The Ring Two (starring Naomi Watts!) and even less so Rings, which was released a decade after The Ring Two. The only link it had to the earlier films was an outdated videotape concept. Rings managed decent box office earnings, but its critical reception was dismal, currently holding an 8% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This poor reception seemed to doom the franchise; there’s still no sign of a fourth film in the series.

G.I. Joe: Retaliation

The film “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” resembles an extravagant, real-life depiction of me playing G.I. Joes in my basement as a six-year-old. However, even my childhood Joe stories were more engaging than this one. The movie offers a Joes under attack storyline here, a Snake Eyes on Ninja Mountain adventure there, and an absurd plot involving an evil president elsewhere. Unfortunately, none of these plots seem to align with each other, giving the impression that each cast member was filmed separately in front of a green screen.

The film received such disinterest that Hasbro and Paramount decided against further sequels and instead produced a prequel. Even that movie failed. Nowadays, it’s likely that few people remember this film, let alone know about its existence – and knowing is indeed half the battle.

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2025-05-29 18:57