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.
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 Ressurection 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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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 wasn’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.
Son of the Mask
Speaking of unnecessary sequels without the original cast, Soin 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 looney (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.
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