10 Most Unnecessary Movie Sequels of All Time

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To put it simply, the majority of films don’t necessarily require follow-ups. Unless there’s a strategic intent to establish a larger franchise or if the film is part of an ongoing series, screenwriters typically don’t write with the intention of stretching the narrative structure beyond its natural conclusion – offering a complete character journey that shouldn’t need further development.

Instead of suggesting that all sequels are pointless, it might be more engaging to say: “Contrary to popular belief, not every sequel lacks merit. Some have even outshone their predecessors, sparking debates about which is superior. However, when it comes to the following films, they failed to add depth or value to the original storyline. Here are 10 movie sequels that arguably served little purpose.

10
‘Speed 2: Cruise Control’ (1997)

Speed 2: Cruise Control doesn’t directly pick up from the storyline of the first film. Instead, Sandra Bullock’s character Annie finds herself on a cruise with her partner, Alex. On this ship, there’s also a dangerous individual who manages to hack into the system and sets the ship on a collision course with an oil tanker. Who do you think steps up to save the day once more?

Keanu Reeves’ Best Decision Ever

As a movie buff, I’ve got to be honest – stepping into Keanu Reeves’ shoes was a daunting task for Jason Patric, but he gave it his best shot. Sandra Bullock, unfortunately, found herself in a predicament she couldn’t escape, starring in what felt like the death knell for the franchise. The action was lackluster, the tension absent, and the pacing slower than a snail on roller skates. It seemed as though 20th Century Fox finally realized that Keanu Reeves had been right all along, and Speed 2: Cruise Control was indeed an unnecessary sequel to an iconic action film.

9
‘Terminator Genisys’ (2015)

In the film “Terminator Genisys,” the narrative is a reinterpretation of the original “Terminator” movie. A T-800 model Terminator travels back to 1984 Los Angeles with the mission to eliminate Sarah Connor, but in this alternate reality, she and another T-800, who raised her, have reprogrammed the Terminator. Meanwhile, Kyle Reese shows up in 1984 to protect Sarah, though he finds himself in a timeline where John Connor, Sarah’s son, has already transformed into a Terminator. If this leaves you perplexed, don’t worry – it’s all part of the intricate plot!

A Movie Everyone Would Rather Forget

Six years following the release of “Terminator Salvation,” “Genisys” attempted to revive the series. Despite its success with viewers, who welcomed Arnold Schwarzenegger’s return, the film struggled to maintain continuity within the timeline. It appeared as though the production was more focused on capitalizing on the franchise than providing a coherent narrative, seemingly attempting to rewrite or alter (retcon) everything that had transpired previously in the series.

8
‘Independence Day: Resurgence’ (2016)

20 years following humanity’s victory over extraterrestrial invaders, depicted in “Independence Day: Resurgence”, finds Earth utilizing reverse-engineered alien tech to safeguard itself against another attack. This new invasion involves the aliens possessing a psychic link with humans, including a former president, Whitmore.

We Waited Twenty Years for This?

Roland Emmerich made another movie in the same series that people weren’t really asking for. The result was a typical sci-fi action film that earned around $400 million, but cost too much to produce. Despite being intended to be a fun, cheesy film, it lacked any real ambition compared to the original. Unfortunately, the nostalgia factor didn’t help this time around.

7
‘Don’t Breathe 2’ (2021)

In contrast to its predecessor, the movie Don’t Breathe 2 doesn’t strongly tie into the original horror-thriller about a band of thieves encountering a blind antagonist with a hidden past. Instead, we’re asked to believe that Norman Nordstrom, a former Navy SEAL with a sinister history of kidnapping women for impregnation, has transformed into a benevolent blind character seeking to rescue his daughter from captors.

Not a Bad Movie, but Still Completely Unnecessary

Initially, the trailer for the movie sparked such intense criticism, almost like poison, as it presented a monstrous character in a heroic light, which proved to be too contentious a shift. Ultimately, it was an action-packed thriller that showcased Stephen Lang’s skills, but it failed to offer anything beyond that. The question now is: could a third installment serve as the salvation for the franchise?

6
‘The Whole Ten Yards’ (2004)

As a cinephile, I must admit that I found “The Whole Ten Yards” somewhat lacking. The original film had a unique blend of humor and crime elements, and it seemed that most of those clever jokes were already spent in the first installment. The sequel, while attempting to continue the story, felt more like a watered-down version, focusing on Oz and Jimmy The Tulip as they’ve transitioned into family life. However, trouble brews again when Jimmy’s old mob boss resurfaces with a vengeance.

The One Nobody Remembers

If you’re aiming to create a fitting follow-up, you should aim to elevate the quality, wouldn’t you agree? However, The Whole Ten Yards is an over-the-top PG-13 comedy that seems to exhaust every joke in existence to depict Jimmy as a reformed character. Sadly, it falls flat compared to its predecessor and failed to boost the careers of its talented comedic cast. The Rotten Tomatoes rating stands at a dismal 4%, and late actor Matthew Perry has stated that he largely avoided movies due to the poor response to this unnecessary sequel.

5
‘Jaws: The Revenge’ (1987)

Following the unfavorable critical reception of Jaws 3-D and its indication that the series should conclude, Universal Pictures executive Sidney Sheinberg deemed it necessary to produce another installment due to the need to advertise the Jaws attraction at the Universal Studios theme park. Thus, Jaws: The Revenge, a lackluster sequel that managed to be both unremarkable and mocking of what Steven Spielberg accomplished in 1975, came into being.

The Sequel That Buried an Entire Franchise

As a movie critic, I’d put it this way: In “Jaws: The Revenge,” I found myself following Ellen Brody, widow of Chief Brody, who believes a vengeful great white shark is pursuing her. This notion seems preposterous, yet it mirrors the film’s overall absurdity. The shark in this installment is portrayed as an unnaturally intelligent and powerful creature, defying the laws of physics to serve the special effects team’s whims. Unfortunately, this sequel was both unnecessary and offensive, offering nothing but a disappointing addition to the Jaws franchise.

4
‘Jason X’ (2001)

It’s an intriguing concept to imagine Jason Vorhees in space, but the 2001 movie execution of this idea left much to be desired. In “Jason X,” humans from the future revive the long-frozen slasher after centuries. As he transforms into a cyborg-like being, it’s clear that “Jason X” showcases B-movie chaos at its peak.

The Cash Grab Not Even Horror Fans Liked

Is it accurate to say that the film “Jason X” is truly captivating for fans of B-movies? Beyond its standout kill, the movie doesn’t offer much fresh content. The science fiction slasher flick is plagued with poor special effects and fails to contribute significantly to the already exhausted franchise. This installment seems to have been produced out of creative exhaustion, but it does boast a brief appearance by horror maestro David Cronenberg.

3
‘Son of the Mask’ (2005)

The movie titled “Son of the Mask” is said to be a follow-up to Jim Carrey’s iconic 1994 comedy, but it only shares similarities by reintroducing the magical mask and… not much else. Instead, it centers around an animator named Tim Avery who becomes a father while wearing a supernatural mask that grants human powers, and mythological god Loki attempting to claim the same artifact.

The Worst Sequel of All Time?

Apart from being an unwarranted solo follow-up, “Son of the Mask” turned out to be a disheartening jumble of a film that lacked both humor and charm. Jamie Kennedy, during his brief stint in the limelight, struggled to recreate what Jim Carrey had previously achieved. The CGI was decent at times, but ultimately, it was clear that the movie was simply trying to cash in on a concept that could only thrive in the hands of a true genius.

2
‘Jurassic World: Dominion’ (2022)

In the movie “Jurassic World: Dominion”, humans have ceased control over the planet as dinosaurs freely roam the earth. Somehow, we’ve learned to live alongside these prehistoric creatures. Meanwhile, Owen and Claire are raising a child while also safeguarding dinosaurs, and characters from the original “Jurassic Park” – Ellie Sattler, Alan Grant, and Ian Malcolm – work together to expose the illicit activities of Biosyn Corporation.

When Pure Nostalgia Doesn’t Work

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I must confess that I found the movie to be a noisy, costly jumble that failed to advance the new trilogy in any meaningful way. Instead, it seemed like a mere attempt to capitalize on nostalgia by resurrecting old characters and weaving a flimsy narrative around them. The character development was lacking, and I couldn’t help but feel that this was the ideal catalyst for steering an inevitable new trilogy towards a more promising direction, one that would hopefully rectify this money-grabbing misstep.

1
‘The Matrix Resurrections’ (2021)

In simpler terms, “The Matrix Resurrections” is a challenging continuation of the series that feels difficult to grasp. Interestingly, the character Neo finds himself trapped within a new iteration of the Matrix and frequently consumes blue pills to remain confined. One might expect that the quest for the white rabbit had ended with the initial trilogy, but surprisingly, it forms the basis for what could arguably be the most unnecessary sequel in the entire Matrix franchise.

Definitely Not the Best They Could Have Done

A less engaging sequel that seemed overly complex and poorly written, The Matrix Resurrections, might have been a fitting continuation if they’d stuck to simplicity and adhered to the original narrative. However, they chose to introduce an excessive number of new characters, a self-referential style that was painfully cheesy, and villains who were poorly developed.

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2025-01-12 19:02