10 Action Movie Sequels That Should Have Never Been Made

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Action films, such as “The Great Train Robbery” (1903) and “The Mask of Zorro” (1920), have been captivating audiences globally for centuries, and a hit series can generate substantial profits for production studios. The “Fast & Furious,” “Mission: Impossible,” and “Transformers” franchises are among the renowned action series preparing to launch new episodes soon.

As a film enthusiast, it’s disheartening to see studios prioritizing profit over artistry, churning out sequels, spin-offs, and reboots at an alarming rate, often compromising on script quality. For every masterpiece like Terminator 2, Temple of Doom, or Mad Max: Fury Road, there seems to be a dozen Highlander IIs and RoboCop 3s.

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I’ve dived deep into the shady realm of subpar action sequels, unearthing a list of the absolute worst – movies that should never have seen the light of day. Some were desperate attempts to revive franchises that had gracefully reached their end, while others simply missed the mark and failed to capture what made the originals so enticing.

With this in mind, here are the 10 worst action movie sequels that were totally unnecessary.

10
‘xXx: State of the Union’ (2005)

Although the initial xXx might not have been revolutionary, Vin Diesel’s rugged Xander Cage character and the outrageously excessive action scenes created an appealing gritty allure that mirrored the spirit of the early 2000s – a time marked by popular culture icons such as Jackass, nu-metal music, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater video games. The film was a box office hit and naturally paved the way for a follow-up.

‘xXx: State of the Union’ Felt Irrelevant and Out of Place

The follow-up aimed to preserve the defiant, rock-influenced spirit of its predecessor, however, by the time it reached cinemas, the zeitgeist had shifted—loose skate trousers were now out of fashion and replaced with slim fit jeans, making the film seem outdated. The original director, Rob Cohen, along with Vin Diesel, were initially set to return, but they both departed due to disagreements over the script. Ice Cube stepped in for Diesel, but unfortunately lacked the charisma and intensity that the original character possessed. The end result was a stale, disorganized sequel that leaned too heavily on senseless, excessive action rather than focusing on an engaging storyline or well-developed characters.

9
‘Taken 3’ (2015)

Liam Neeson is a well-regarded actor who was famous for his powerful roles in movies like Schindler’s List and Michael Collins. But it was the surprise success of Taken in 2008 that sent him soaring into a new level of fame, drastically altering the course of his career. In this movie, Neeson played Bryan Mills, a former CIA agent on a tireless mission to rescue his daughter from kidnappers, demonstrating his strong persona and action-packed scenes. The film’s unforeseen success at the box office reignited interest in Neeson as an action hero, and he quickly became associated with the “mature tough guy” genre.

‘Taken 3’ Added Nothing New to the Franchise

The initial hit film, Taken, led to two follow-ups. While Taken 2 was a repetition of the first movie and managed to be moderately successful, it didn’t surprise fans as much as the original did. With high expectations for a fresh take on the franchise in the third film, many were let down when it offered more of the same worn-out formula. This predictable approach left both audiences and critics disillusioned with its lack of novelty, resulting in a poor 13% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

8
‘The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor’ (2008)

1999’s “The Mummy” offered a modern twist on the traditional mummy tale. Brendan Fraser brilliantly portrayed the charming scoundrel Rick O’Connell, making this film arguably the best action-adventure since the original Indiana Jones series. The follow-up, “The Mummy Returns,” revisited familiar territory yet delivered enough action and humor to leave most audience members content.

By the Third Movie, It Was Time for a Change

As we embarked on the third installment of our beloved film franchise, it was clear that we needed a shake-up to maintain its allure and prevent it from becoming stale. So, we decided to transport the setting from the Middle East to the Far East and transform the mummy from the traditional undead entity into a resurrected Chinese emperor. Regrettably, this change didn’t revitalize the series as intended and fell short due to subpar CGI, a weak script, and a scarcity of the captivating side characters that made the original so enchanting to behold.

7
‘Speed 2: Cruise Control’ (1997)

In 1994, the intriguing concept of a bus equipped with a bomb that exploded when its speed fell below 50 mph, as portrayed in the movie Speed, captivated the minds of millions and catapulted Keanu Reeves into the realm of authentic action stardom. This film was a massive success at the box office.

‘Speed 2’ Missed the Point of What Made the Original So Good

In a fresh take on the original story, Speed 2 switched the nail-biting runaway bus for a leisurely cruise ship, effectively draining the suspense that made the first film so exhilarating. Additionally, the chemistry between Sandra Bullock and Jason Patric seemed lacking, particularly when compared to her electric connection with Keanu Reeves. The movie’s tone was all over the place, veering from melodramatic to cheesy, and Willem Dafoe’s exaggerated, scene-stealing performance as the antagonist felt jarringly out of sync with the rest of the film.

6
‘A Good Day to Die Hard’ (2013)

The original “Die Hard” film is widely regarded as one of the greatest action movies ever made, with strong sequels to follow. After a 12-year hiatus, the franchise was revived. Despite the passage of time, another good movie, “Live Free or Die Hard”, joined the series featuring thrilling action scenes and an outstanding performance by Bruce Willis.

‘A Good Day to Die Hard’ Has Forever Left a Stain on One of Cinema’s Best-Loved Action Franchises and Is Best Left Ignored

The latest installment in the Die Hard series, titled A Good Day to Die Hard, fell short in every category. An aged Bruce Willis found it challenging to rekindle the charm, tenacity, and emotional depth that once defined John McClane as an unforgettable action movie icon. Furthermore, the film leaned excessively on over-the-top stunts and visual effects, neglecting a well-structured storyline or meaningful character progression, tarnishing the prestigious legacy of this legendary action series.

5
‘RoboCop 3’ (1993)

The movie called RoboCop, known for being a significant and enduring contribution to the action genre, is often hailed as such by critics and fans alike. It’s filled with excessive violence and non-stop action that leans into extreme levels of destruction. Beneath this brutal surface, there’s a dark humor that runs throughout. This high-octane blend of action and violence has undeniably contributed to its status as a cult favorite among action movie enthusiasts. To this day, RoboCop stands as an emblematic representation of the best in ’80s action cinema. Regrettably, the sequels failed to live up to the original’s legacy.

‘RoboCop 3’ Removed Everything That Made the Original So Entertaining

RoboCop 2 was still entertaining yet struggled due to its heavy emphasis on aspects other than the title character. On the contrary, RoboCop 3 felt unnecessary and diluted, mirroring the original too closely without any demand for it. Reducing the intensity of violence and humor in RoboCop is akin to stripping the iconic guitar sounds from a Metallica song or asking Ricky Gervais to be more politically correct—exactly what happened. The filmmakers’ attempt to broaden the appeal failed spectacularly, resulting in one of the most poorly judged action sequels ever made.

4
‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’ (2008)

From a movie enthusiast’s perspective, I can confidently say that the first three Indiana Jones flicks are some of the best action-adventure movies ever made. They transport you to breathtaking, far-flung locales, keep your heart racing with pulse-pounding stunts, and are brought to life by Harrison Ford’s witty, rough-around-the-edges charm that’s as rugged as the adventures themselves.

The Near-Perfect Original Trilogy Needed to Remain Untouched

While enjoying the movie, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, it’s tough not to reminisce about the memorable instance from Raiders of the Lost Ark where Indy exchanged a valuable golden idol for an ordinary sack of sand. The charm and quality that characterized the original trilogy seems to have been traded for a less impressive replica, perhaps with the intention that this substitution would go unnoticed by viewers.

In 2008, it was hard not to question how a 65-year-old Harrison Ford could manage the same stunts he did in the film. Yet, what truly disappointed viewers was the poor quality of computer-generated imagery (CGI), which was prevalent throughout the movie. By this time, audiences had already marveled at the recreation of the Titanic’s sinking, epic live-action Transformers battles, and hordes of undead in Pirates of the Caribbean.

A year prior to the groundbreaking release of Avatar, we instead witnessed Shia LaBeouf navigating a CGI jungle alongside overly-cartoonish monkeys, adult characters being swallowed whole by swarms of colossal, implausible ants, and aliens that appeared less convincing than those used by Ridley Scott in his work from nearly three decades earlier.

3
‘Escape Plan 2: Hades’ (2018)

Although “Escape Plan” wasn’t a standout film, it successfully achieved its goal: providing an enjoyable, straightforward action movie based on a prison break plot, with Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger as the leading stars, two globally recognized action icons.

There Was No Logical Reason for a Sequel

The Escape Plan concluded its tale tidily, offering an enjoyable, standalone movie with a rational ending. The notion of extending it further with a sequel seemed contrived and superfluous. Yet, Stallone, known for unnecessary sequels, couldn’t help but reprise his role for another installment.

In essence, the follow-up shares many similarities with the original film, but this time around, Stallone finds himself in a challenging task of freeing his team from a distinct lockup. However, compared to the first installment, the storyline appears weaker, the action lacks creativity, the antagonists are stereotypical, and there’s a notable drop in funding, which is quite evident.

It’s no shock that the film received harsh criticism, earning only a 7% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Nevertheless, defying expectations and reason, Sylvester Stallone decided to reprise his role once more for another sequel—Escape Plan: The Extractors.

2
‘Highlander II: The Quickening’ (1991)

Highlander is an action film blending elements of science fiction and fantasy, combining aspects of both The Terminator and Blade Runner. It’s uniquely set in the Scottish Highlands with a touch of surrealism. Over time, it has gained a dedicated fanbase who appreciate it as an iconic representation of ’80s sci-fi action.

‘Highlander II’ Was a Drastic Departure from the Original

Initially, the movie “Highlander” presented an intriguing notion – a universe where immortal beings coexist with ordinary humans, constantly fighting for dominance. Unfortunately, the sequel, “Highlander II,” discarded this straightforward yet gripping idea for a plot that’s so complex it becomes nearly incomprehensible.

Strangely, the follow-up unexpectedly brings back characters who were thought to be deceased and presents a puzzling concept: the immortals are actually extraterrestrial beings. Furthermore, it seems to disregard many existing storylines casually, altering the laws of this universe without any apparent justification.

This turned into a really aggravating event for aficionados of the original, while it was utterly confusing for fresh viewers. To add to the problem, the movie is filled with poor special effects, insufficiently developed characters, and unimpressive acting—effectively cementing its status as one of the most ill-conceived sequels in history.

1
‘The Crow: City of Angels’ (1996)

A captivating, moody, visually impressive action film titled “The Crow” was highly acclaimed by critics and gained a devoted fanbase. Regrettably, its sequel seems like a heartless imitation lacking the enchantment and deep emotions found in the first one.

‘The Crow: City of Angels’ Lacks Heart

In contrast to other superhero films, The Crow distinguished itself through the intricate portrayal of its main character and his tale of vengeance, love, and sorrow. Regrettably, following Brandon Lee’s untimely demise during filming, Vincent Perez took over the lead role, yet failed to match Lee’s depth and charm. Granted, it’s not entirely Perez’s fault, as his character was underdeveloped, and he had limited opportunities to shine. The narrative primarily revolves around common comic book themes and stereotypes, falling short of the profound poetic quality present in the original storyline. Essentially, what we get is a simplistic revenge plot devoid of emotional resonance, which arguably didn’t require being made.

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2025-03-02 23:04