By definition, a movie sequel is the continuation of the story from its predecessor. A successful movie usually leaves people wanting more, so a sequel is greenlit, giving fans what they want.

That doesn’t mean moviegoers will be happy with the sequel, though. As we’ll discuss here, there have been some incredibly disappointing sequels over the years, as agreed upon by movie critics and experts.

Speed 2: Cruise Control

Rotten Tomatoes: 4%, compared to 95% for Speed.

Speed is an intelligent action thriller with an interesting premise and a great cast, led by Keanu Reeves, and Dennis Hopper.

Only Bullock returns for the sequel, which also drops its “R” rating for “PG-13,” therefore limiting the action on screen.

Iron Man 2

Rotten Tomatoes: 72%, compared to 94% for Iron Man.

It’s not that Iron Man 2 is a bad movie; it’s just that it’s, well, not Iron Man.

Mickey Rourke’s Whiplash is also one of the most forgettable villains in MCU history.

Ghosbusters II

Rotten Tomatoes: 54%, compared to 95% for Ghostbusters.

The problem with, well, every Ghostbusters movie since the original is that they fail to capture what made it great.

Ghostbusters II isn’t as intelligent or clever as its original, and suffers for it.

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The Matrix Reloaded

Rotten Tomatoes: 74%, compared to 95% for The Matrix.

The Matrix Reloaded is more Matrix action, which is certainly a good thing.

There were some cracks starting to appear in the wall, though, as it borders on being a little too preachy. Plus, that cliffhanger ending, even though we knew about Matrix Revolutions, still doesn’t sit right.

The Matrix Revolutions

Rotten Tomatoes: 33%, compared to 74% for The Matrix Reloaded.

And here is where the dam breaks.

The Matrix Revolutions is clunky, frustrating, and loses focus on what makes the franchise great. Yeah, it was nice to see Zion, but we spent way too much time there.

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For

Rotten Tomatoes: 42%, compared to 76% for Sin City.

On the one hand, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For is more Sin City.

However, it’s lacking the depth the original had. Cool visuals and violent action don’t mean anything if they lack depth.

Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde

Rotten Tomatoes: 35%, compared to 72% for Sin City.

The original Legally Blonde is a surprisingly intelligent and enjoyable comedy that defied my expectations, along with many critics.

Its success warranted a sequel, but Legally Blonde 2 tries way too hard to capture lightning in a bottle twice. The jokes are a little too forced.

Cars 2

Rotten Tomatoes: 40%, compared to 74% for Cars.

Even though Cars was the first Pixar film not to see widespread critical acclaim, it was still deemed a good movie and made hundreds of millions of dollars.

One of the issues was that the storytelling fell short compared to Toy Story or Monsters, Inc. It’s something that wasn’t addressed in Cars 2 and is arguably worse off this time.

Zoolander 2

Rotten Tomatoes: 22%, compared to 64% for Zoolander.

Look, I get it. Everyone wanted a sequel to Zoolander, but they wanted it in the early 2000s, not in 2016.

Our preferences have changed, while Zoolander 2 felt stuck in the past with its tone.

Dumb and Dumber To

Rotten Tomatoes: 30%, compared to 67% for Dumb and Dumber.

This one’s just pure laziness from everyone involved.

Like with Zoolander 2, Dumb and Dumber To‘s humor is stuck in the past.

The Next Karate Kid

Rotten Tomatoes: 20%, compared to 81% for The Karate Kid.

The first Karate Kid with Ralph Macchio is an all-time classic that helped spawn a franchise. It saw two direct sequels, which, for better or worse, felt like the same movie.

With that being said, we’re moving on to the one that introduced us to Hilary Swank. That’s honestly the most impactful part of the movie; it’s even more unnecessary than the original’s direct sequels.

The Lost World: Jurassic Park

Rotten Tomatoes: 56%, compared to 91% for Jurassic Park.

Even if The Lost World was a good movie, it has to compete with one of the best movies of all time.

It never stood a chance, but hey, at least Steven Spielberg came back, and it’s also based on a Michael Crichton novel.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

Rotten Tomatoes: 47%, compared to 72% for Jurassic World.

Jurassic World succeeded in showing us what a fully operational Jurassic Park would look like. It went as well as you’d expect.

It also made a truckload of money, so a sequel was pretty much a given, even if it arguably demonstrated that the sequel should have been a one-off.

Shrek the Third

Rotten Tomatoes: 47%, compared to 89% for Shrek 2.

Shrek 2 is the rare example of being as good as, if not better than, the original.

Shrek the Third did not continue this trend, though. It lacks the heart and charm of its predecessors, relying too much on humor that’s starting to get stale.

Caddyshack II

Rotten Tomatoes: 4%, compared to 73% for Caddyshack.

No Ted Knight. No Bill Murray. No Rodney Dangerfield. No Harold Ramis behind the camera.

This one had no chance.

Grown Ups 2

Rotten Tomatoes: 8%, compared to 10% for Grown Ups.

Yes. You read that right.

They’re both bad movies, but technically, Grown Ups 2 is the one that’s worse! At least the original Grown Ups has some redeeming factors; the sequel has none.

Evan Almighty

Rotten Tomatoes: 25%, compared to 48% for Bruce Almighty.

Jim Carrey’s 2003 comedy Bruce Almighty isn’t his best work, but it’s legitimately funny and takes an interesting premise for a good ride.

Its sequel/spin-off, Evan Almighty, starring Steve Carell, doesn’t give the talented actor enough material to work with, and the movie suffers for it.

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