Successful movies tend to get unnecessary sequels. It’s just the way things are in Hollywood today.

Not every movie needs a sequel, though, especially when released decades after the original film.

More often than not, these unwelcome sequels are blatant cash grabs that fail to meet the quality of the original movie. According to audiences and online discussions, here are the movie sequels that nobody asked for.

Speed 2: Cruise Control

I’m not sure why you would release a sequel without your lead, but that’s what happened with Speed 2: Cruise Control.

While Sandra Bullock returned for the film, Keanu Reeves didn’t. There was some hope, though, as director Jan de Bont would be returning, but he decided to write the film himself. There’s a reason why this is the only movie he’s ever written: it’s bad. Oh, and for some reason, it was toned down to a PG-13 rating, too.

Matrix Resurrection

The two Matrix sequels are enjoyable but nowhere near as incredible as the original film. They also ended the story, closing off any potential sequel. Or so we thought.

Matrix Resurrection tries hard to be self-aware, but can’t match the quality of the original trilogy. Everything feels phoned in: the writing, acting, and action sequences.

Zoolander 2

The original is widely beloved as one of Ben Stiller’s best comedies. That doesn’t mean we need a sequel, though, and it certainly doesn’t mean we need a sequel 15 years after the original.

By then, it should have been obvious that everyone was ready to move on.

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Independence Day: Resurgence

Waiting twenty years to make a sequel is certainly a decision, but then again, did anyone really want a second Independence Day movie?

Will Smith’s absence is felt throughout the entire film, and as great as Jeff Goldblum is, he can’t carry the weak writing on his own.

Toy Story 4

Look, sometimes your unnecessary sequel is actually pretty good.

I’d argue we didn’t need any of the Toy Story sequels, but the original trilogy did a great job of completing a story arc. Then again, Disney loves money, so not only did we get Toy Story 4, but we’re also getting Toy Story 5.

A Christmas Story Christmas

The irony here is that A Christmas Story Christmas isn’t a terrible movie; it’s harmless holiday fun that’s entertaining enough and a worthy straight-to-streaming release.

Therein lies the issue; its only purpose is to entice viewers with nostalgia to sign up for a streaming service. All that money and effort could have gone to making a new, original holiday classic.

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines

Terminator 2: Judgement Day is the perfect sequel that should have been the end of the franchise.

However, not only did we get a watered-down Terminator movie without James Cameron directing, but somehow, this wasn’t the end of the franchise. They made three more of these movies!

The Hangover Part 3

They say you can’t capture lightning in a bottle twice. After the breakout success of the first Hangover film, you better believe they’d try to prove everyone wrong.

Remarkably, The Hangover Part 2 succeeded in delivering another fun comedy. However, they should have stopped while they were ahead. The third Hangover movie shows that you can’t capture lightning in a bottle a third time.

Taken 2

Speaking, not being able to capture lightning in a bottle twice, Taken 2 is another perfect example of that.

Yet due to the surprise success of the Liam Neeson action thriller, this thing needed to become a franchise, apparently. Unsurprisingly, the only good one is the first.

Jurassic Park 3

Some may scoff at the Jurassic World movies, but they were at least trying to do something new with the franchise.

Jurassic Park 3, however, is a blatant cash-in on the popularity of the original two films and novels. The first movie in the series not based on a Michael Crichton novel, Jurassic Park 3 is a ho-hum movie that belonged in the straight-to-DVD bin.

The Whole Ten Yards

2000’s The Whole Nine Yards was nothing to write home about, and chances are you forget about the movie until I said something. It still made over $100 at the box office.

Here’s the thing: when you make a sequel to a movie that exceeds everyone’s expectations, you can’t expect that to happen twice. The Whole Ten Yards bombed at the box office.

American Psycho 2

Speaking of straight-to-DVD releases, that’s exactly what American Psycho 2 is, but it wasn’t even supposed to be a sequel to American Psycho.

Lions Gate saw the first movie’s success and quickly rushed an unrelated script to tie into the Christian Bale film, hoping its “connection” would result in higher profits.

Since then, Mila Kunis has done everything she can to distance herself from the movie, even confirming that it was supposed to be something entirely different.

Home Alone 3

The only potential redeeming factor for this movie was the fact that John Hughes was writing and producing the film.

However, it turns out that Home Alone succeeded not just because of John Hughes, but also because of McCauley Culkin. Guess who wasn’t in Home Alone 3. That’s right; the McAllisters were replaced by some kid who was stuck home alone with the chicken pox.

Indiana Jones: Dial of Destiny

Resurrecting the Indian Jones franchise once wasn’t enough, I suppose.

It turns out that, yet again, The Last Crusade and its perfect ending weren’t the last crusade. James Mangold’s movie tries to lean into what made the original Indiana Jones films so beloved. While it’s a better movie than Crystal Skull, it proves that it’s finally time to let Harrison Ford move on from his iconic character. And no, that doesn’t mean we need to let someone else take the mantle.

 

Caddyshack 2

Caddyshack is one of the funniest movies ever made. A sequel seems like a no-brainer, except that virtually none of the original cast wanted to return.

You might think this is a sign that a second movie is unnecessary, but Hollywood always finds a way. Chevy Chase is the only original cast member featured, but it feels like he’s just here for the easy paycheck. Its PG rating, compared to the original film’s R rating, held back some of the humor and jokes.

Ocean’s Twelve

I love Ocean’s Eleven and Ocean’s Thirteen, but Ocean’s Twelve doesn’t feel like an Oceans movie.

Las Vegas is just as important as the rest of the cast, and when the whole basic gist is that Terry Benedict demands they return the money they stole, it feels like everything is going through the motions.

Son of the Mask

Speaking of unnecessary sequels without the original cast, Son of the Mask is the 2005 sequel to the 1994 movie that helped launch Jim Carrey into superstardom.

After years of production following the original movie, Son of the Mask became its own thing, adopting a more family-friendly tone. The movie was received as well as you’d expect, but don’t worry—there’s talk about another movie in the Mask franchise.

Space Jam: A New Legacy

25 years after the original Space Jam paired Michael Jordan with the Looney Tunes, Warner Bros. decided to run it back, replacing Jordan with LeBron James.

However, the sequel takes itself far too seriously; part of the charm of the original Space Jam was that it knew it was a non-serious movie with an over-the-top plot. It was never afraid to lean into just how loony (pun intended) the concept was. Space Jam 2 instead tries to present itself as a very serious movie, which results in the film falling flat on its face.