10 Worst Movie Sequels That Felt Slapped Together

The 10 Worst Movie Sequels That Felt Slapped Together Image via Warner Bros. By  Michael Block Published 3 minutes ago Michael Block is a 14 time GLAM Award nominated writer, producer, and host of the podcast Block Talk. Throughout his time in the entertainment industry, he has worked on and off Broadway as a stage manager, written several produced plays, critiqued hundreds of theatrical performances, drag and cabaret shows, and has produced events randing from drag competitoons to variety concerts!  On Block Talk, he interviews nightlife personalities, covers the wide world of entertainment through features, ranking episodes, and recaps ALL of Drag Race, as well as Dragula and Survivor. He has interviewed hundreds of RuGirls that span the globe at DragCon NYC, DragCon LA, and DragCon UK.  In his free time, he makes one-of-a-kind jewelry and gift baskets with his mom. He is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.  Sign in to your Collider account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

At the end of the day, the world of entertainment is a business. It's expected that if a movie is a box office success, studios will do anything to capitalize on it and create a sequel. But sometimes, it's best to leave it at one. Especially when they feel like they're slapped together with duct tape. When it comes to terrible sequels, these ten films take the cake.

Some of these films were mega hits that took decades to return, only for the return to be sour. Others were made quite close behind, leaving little room to breathe. And then there is Joker: Folie a Deux, which just changed the entire genre and style to create mass confusion. Nevertheless, these films have continued to make us ponder the biggest question: But why?

10 'Basic Instinct 2' (2006)

Sharon Stone in 'Basic Instinct 2'Image via Sony Pictures 

I bet you might be shocked that there was a sequel to Basic Instinct, the brilliant erotic thriller from 1992. But Sharon Stone returned and reprized her role as crime novelist Catherine Tramell. To back up a step, the original film saw Michael Douglas as detective Nick Curran, a detective who investigates the murder of a rock star, only to begin an intense sexual affair with the prime suspect, Catherine Tramell. Now, when it comes to sequels, there tends to be a formula. One common rule is to incorporate elements of the original as fan service. Of course, the original film is most notorious for Stone and the chair, so it's expected that a revival of that moment would be included. But then, from there, what is the actual draw for the sequel to Basic Instinct? Well, nothing.

After evading capture in the first film, the notorious serial killer has crossed the pond to London, where she dabbles in another psychologically manipulative affair. This time it's with Dr. Michael Glass (David Morrissey). Focusing more on the psychology of Catherine rather than the capture of the killer, Basic Instinct 2 just ended up being a clunker. Part of the reason was the drama surrounding the film's production. Essentially, Stone sued the producers of the original movie, claiming he was guaranteed at least $14 million for a sequel, even if it never got made. At first, MGM scrapped the project, but it was revitalized and, well, I suppose it would have been best for everyone's legacy had they not made the film at all. As some have voiced, given its 6% Rotten Tomatoes score, it's so bad it's good.

9 'The Next Karate Kid' (1994)

Hilary Swank as Julie Pierce in The Next Karate KidImage via Columbia Pictures

Though this entry is more of a reboot than a direct sequel, we're including it because it's, well, bad. While you may assume it was a 21st-century trend to reboot and revive successful films, it happened before in the 90s. Such was the case with The Next Karate Kid. In 1984, audiences were taken by The Karate Kid. The original film found Italian-American teenager Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) as he learns karate from a handyman and war veteran named Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) in order to defend himself against his bullies. Spawning two sequels in the 90s, it seemed there was more desire for Mr. Miyagi, so it was time to bring him back with a gender swap.

In The Next Karate Kid, Hilary Swank, in her first leading theatrical role, plays Julie Pierce, a rebellious teen with anger issues resulting from her parents' deaths. Using the same formula as the original, Mr. Miyagi mentors Julie and changes her within the span of a single movie. Though Morita and Swank deliver solid performances, it's just a copy-and-paste film that doesn't resonate. It was such a poor film; it ended the original franchise's reign until another remake in 2010.

8 'I Still Know What You Did Last Summer' (1998)

Brandy and Jennifer Love Hewitt in I Still Know What You Did Last Summer.Image via Columbia Pictures

After Scream relaunched the slasher film renaissance of the 90s, the race was on to capitalize on its success and build a similar franchise. Scream had a rival in the world of slasher films in I Know What You Did Last Summer. In 1997, Scream 2 debuted a few months following the release of I Know What You Did Last Summer. Well, believing the magic that happened with Scream could happen with I Know What You Did Last Summer, there was a desire to capitalize on a sequel here. The difference was, it wasn't a Kevin Williamson script like the first, nor was it directed by Jim Gillespie. Trey Callaway was hired after selling his pitch. After only six months, production was rushed, and I Still Know What You Did Last Summer happened.

Taking place one year after the events of the first film, Jennifer Love Hewitt returns as Julie James, who wins a vacation with her friends, Ray (Freddie Prinze Jr.), Karla (Brandy), and Tyrell (Mekhi Phifer). Unfortunately, it's not a trip of a lifetime as they are stalked by a killer. Unfortunately, what was produced was haphazard. The difference between Scream 2 and I Still Know What You Did Last Summer was that the former was built upon its lore and mythology, owning the sequel moniker. I Still Know What You Did Last Summer rehashed the argument that horror sequels are nothing but flops. As it turns out, hot teens in a hot locale is not a winning formula.

7 'Joker: Foile a Deux' (2024)

The Joker and Harley singing together in 'Joker Folie à Deux'Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

I am a proud Little Monster. I adore Lady Gaga and her musical artistry. But in the world of acting, she's made some questionable choices over the years. On paper, playing a version of Harley Quinn was going to be a brilliant pairing. Especially following the success of Joaquin Phoenix's take on Joker. But the sequel to Joker was not going to have that same allure. Especially when it is billed as a jukebox musical legal drama that is not a superhero movie but uses legacy iconography. See how things got confusing fast? Originally intended as a standalone film, Todd Phillips returned as director for a follow-up because Phoenix was not ready to let Arthur Fleck go. Well, Phoenix had a dream of Arthur Fleck on stage, telling jokes and singing, and thus, an idea for a musical was born. We've all had dreams that never came to fruition, and perhaps this one should have followed suit.

The box office success of Joker prompted the immediate development of Joker: Folie à deux. It was not a traditional musical in the sense that characters break out into song. They're more imaginative. Being set in Arkham State Hospital, there was an ability to use instability as an excuse for the format. By breaking into a new storytelling style, the film became a jumbled mess. Furthermore, this was not the Harley Quinn we expected. Lady Gaga took on a character we'd recently grown fond of via Margot Robbie. This Halrey "Lee" Quinzel had a likeness in name, and that's about it. Lady Gaga tried to match her co-star's level and energy, but their chemistry was lacking, causing the film to stumble. What was meant to be a deeper dive into mental illness masquerading as a non-superhero superhero film was poorly received, making other dreamers question if they should pitch their dreams in the future. At least we got a new Lady Gaga album out of it!

6 'Speed 2: Cruise Control' (1997)

Sandra Bullock and Jason Patric in 'Speed 2: Cruise Control.'Image via 20th Century Fox

They say we have a need for speed, but we certainly did not have a need for Speed 2. In 1994, moviegoers were given a high-octane action thriller in which a city bus is rigged by a vengeful extortionist named Howard Payne (Dennis Hopper). If the bus dropped below the speed of 50 miles per hour, it would explode. Tasked to save the day, Keanu Reeves played LAPD officer Jack Traven. Oh, and Sandra Bullock plays a passenger named Annie Porter who gets mixed up in the fray. Now, the film was a success, so it would make sense that if you were to bring a sequel to life, it would center around Reeves' cop. Well, you'd be wrong. With Bullock being the returning star, Reeves' absence, and the complete and utterly confusing location swap, Speed 2: Cruise Control made history as one of the worst sequels to a good film.

In the Bullock-led film, Annie and her boyfriend Alex Shaw (Jason Patric) are on board a cruise ship that is hijacked by terrorist John Geiger (Willam Defoe). Trapped inside, Annie and Alex work with the crew to stop the ship after discovering it is programmed to crash into an oil tanker. After Reeves dropped out of the project, the script was completely reworked with Patric as a half-hearted replacement. But the biggest problem was not entirely this. For a film called Speed, putting the action on a slow-moving cruise ship was simply baffling. The stakes may be high, the potential human devastation it could have caused, but a high-speed city bus this was not. it's wild to think that this film went down faster than the Titanic, which coincidentally came out in the same calendar year. 1997 was all about cruiseliners, wasn't it!

5 'Dumb and Dumber To' (2014)

Lloyd tugging on Harry's coat in Dumb and Dumber ToImage via Universal Pictures

Jim Carrey was one of the biggest-grossing movie comedians of the 90s. It seemed anything that he touched would turn to gold. From Ace Ventura: Pet Detective to The Mask, his on-screen ability to make us laugh was nearly unmatched. In 1994, he and Jeff Daniels starred in a ridiculously silly comedy, Dumb and Dumber. The film follows Lloyd Christmas (Carrey) and Harry Dunne (Daniels), two dumb but well-meaning friends who set out on a cross-country road trip from Rhode Island to Aspen to return a briefcase full of ransom money to its owner. Filled with hilarious hijinks, ridiculous antics, and bits and gags to keep you howling, Dumb and Dumber was the epitome of a classic 90s comedy film. 1994 was the year of Jim Carrey, as all three of his major hits came out that year. With only Ace Ventura receiving a sequel, Carrey moved on to other projects, solidifying an extraordinary resume. This means Harry and Lloyd lived on in a single film. That was until 2003, when a prequel film, not starring the duo, came out, making us realize we were good with just the original. But as we discussed earlier, this was the 21st century. The trend of reboots and revivals overwhelmed studios, so when the Farrelly brothers had the chance to explore Harry and Lloyd again, they jumped at it.

With the duo back on board, the sequel was made. Dumb and Dumber To (Yes, that was the title. Get it?) found Harry and Lloyd back on the road after Harry discovers he has a daughter, Penny Pichelow (Rachel Melvin), who was set up for adoption as a baby by her single mother, Fraida Felcher (Kathleen Turner), an ex-whore Lloyd and Harry once had a fling with. Despite the universal adoration of the characters' return, the film was a flop. The Farrelly brand of humor didn't quite strike the same nerve it did in the 90s. It felt more like two actors hoping to recapture their prime with old characters for an overextended sketch, bad wigs included. The problem was it was far too late to make a Dumb and Dumber sequel. It wasn't the type of movie that was a legacy or had characters that needed to further their story. It's a shame because it diminished the original's greatness. Of all the Carrey characters to revitalize, couldn't it have been Ace Ventura? We absolutely want to know what that guy's up to today!

4 'Caddyshack II' (1988)

Image via Warner Bros.

In 1980, we were gifted one of the greatest sports comedies ever, Caddyshack. Eight years later, that legacy was shattered with a sequel that kick-started the campaign of worst sequels ever. The original film follows a young caddy named Danny Noonan (Michael O'Keefe), who becomes snagged in the middle between one of the country club's founders, Elihu Smails (Ted Knight), and a nouveau riche guest, Al Czervik (Rodney Dangerfield). Meanwhile, mentally unstable greenskeeper Carl Spackler (Bill Murray) is on an obsessive mission to dispose of a pesky gopher. The film was a hit, so it made logical sense to try a sequel. Unfortunately, it became anything but. Caddyshack II tells the story of a wealthy and widowed real estate developer, Jack Hartounian (Jackie Mason), who goes up against Bushwood Country Club's snobbish president, Chandler Young (Robert Stack), in a golfing tournament.

Dangerfield was eager to make a sequel, but following Knight's death and the lack of interest from Murray and Chevy Chase, making it a reality became nearly impossible. Though the latter did eventually partake.. As development continued, more issues arose, and Dangerfield eventually dropped out, fearing the film would not be a success. The project was put on hold, new names became attached, and a film was created that seemed only linked by name. Mason was meant to be the Dangerfield equivalent, but it didn't match. Despite being a joke machine, it didn't translate into the script. It was a lazy, laughless film that became a box office bomb. Need proof? A 4% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

3 'Son of the Mask' (2005)

The Mask was made because the lead actor made it perfect. With much desire for another film, Jim Carrey declined to return after his experience with Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls. Development for a sequel restarted in 2001 with a new lead, Jamie Kennedy. With a new face and a drastically different direction for the script, the result, Son of the Mask, was widely panned. And rightly so. In this adaptation of the comic book, Tim Avery (Kennedy), an aspiring animator, has a son who inherits the Mask's powers. And here's where it takes a turn. Loki (Alan Cumming), the God of Mischief, is ordered by Odin (Bob Hoskins) to find the Mask.

To say it's one of the worst films ever made is an understatement. Yes, it's a completely different story that uses the same mythology, but it should have been considered a standalone piece. Kennedy, who was continuing to develop himself as a rising comedy star, didn't have the same star power as Carrey, and it showed. The comedy was painfully weak, proving that Carrey was the driver of the original vehicle. It felt too cartoonish and kid-centric, which led it to fall off the cliff. If you haven't seen it, save yourself. It's bad.

2 'Staying Alive' (1983)

John Travolta's Tony looking intense in Staying AliveImage via Paramount Pictures

This one might surprise you as well, but Saturday Night Fever, the beloved '70s classic starring John Travolta, had a sequel. And to make it even more perplexing, it was written and directed by Sylvester Stallone. Let's break it down. Staying Alive brought back Travolta as Tony Manero as he departs Brooklyn for Manhattan, where he works as a dance instructor and waiter, struggling to get his big break. Attempting to translate from disco to Broadway, Tony has to balance his professional ambition with his personal relationships, including his girlfriend Jackie (Cynthia Rhodes), and a demanding British dancer, Laura (Finola Hughes).

With Travolta open to the idea of a follow-up, he wanted Tony to have more success, landing the Broadway role. Instead, he was kept in the chorus, which he was reluctant toward. Nevertheless, he and Norman Wexler reunited to bring the story to life. Travolta was eager to find a director who would bring the vision to life, andafter seeing Rocky III, he pursued Stallone, feeling he could bring the energy and pacing of that film to Staying Alive. Upon agreeing to join the project, Stallone reworked elements, including Travolta's vision for Tony, adding a happier ending. Oh, and a tamer language to maintain a PG rating. Featuring new Bee Gees songs, everyone seemed happy, hoping it would match the success of the original. Sadly, it did not. It was shockingly embarrassing, losing the spirit of the original. It almost felt as if this film was mocking Saturday Night Fever. The film has seemingly been forgotten over time, and rightly so.

1 'Space Jam: A New Legacy' (2021)

Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and other Looney Tunes characters look shocked in Space Jam: A New Legacy.Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

I grew up with Space Jam. I distinctly remember being amazed watching Michael Jordan play alongside the Looney Tunes. It was a fun, silly film that married live-action and animation in an appealing way. Who didn't love the NBA All-Stars facing off against the Monstars? There was always a prospect of a follow-up, but it never came to fruition because Jordan wasn't interested. Though other types of "Jams" were explored, including Spy Jam with Jackie Chan, Race Jam with Jeff Gordon, and Skate Jam with Tony Hawk, they too faltered. It took until 2014 and interest from LeBron James for the sequel to come back into action. Having adoration for the film as many of our generation did, he was eager to bring his love to the next generation.

In Space Jam: A New Legacy, LeBron plays himself as he is enlisted by the Looney Tunes to help them win a basketball game in a Warner Bros.-themed virtual world against its rogue AI ruler, AI-G Rhythm (Don Cheadle), after LeBron's youngest son, Dom (Cedric Joe), is abducted by the AI. With so much hype surrounding the film, it needed to be a slam dunk. Instead, it was an air ball. Rather than using the original as a blueprint to bring the concept to the 21st century, it focused more on how branding and IP have actually become a major downfall within the industry. Earning a 25% Rotten Tomatoes score, some called it a CGI heap of trash. A warning to the next generation NBA superstar who's tempted to make a third film: please don't.

Like Follow Followed Space Jam: A New Legacy PG Family Comedy Adventure Animation Science Fiction Release Date July 16, 2021 Runtime 115 minutes Director Malcolm D. Lee Writers Jesse Gordon, Terence Nance, Celeste Ballard, Juel Taylor, Tony Rettenmaier, Keenan Coogler, Timothy Harris, Steve Rudnick, Leo Benvenuti, Herschel Weingrod

Cast

See All

• LeBron James LeBron James
• Don Cheadle Al G. Rhythm
• Cedric Joe Dominic 'Dom' James
• Jeff Bergman Bugs Bunny / Sylvester / Yosemite Sam / Fred Flintstone (voice)

Genres Family, Comedy, Adventure, Animation, Science Fiction Powered by Expand Collapse

• Movie
• Space Jam 2
• Staying Alive

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