Top 10 Most HATED Movie Sequels

While the monster was the main draw of this series, fans still found themselves drawn to the human characters. Various members of the Sulaco crew were beloved, particularly Corporal Hicks and Newt, a child they had saved. When it seemed like they and Ripley would be the only survivors following “Aliens,” viewers were excited to see a story focused on the trio. That fell through when the third movie began, revealing that Ellen was the only one who had lived following a pod crash. While the other two’s sudden deaths were shocking enough, having them occur off-screen and with little fanfare was like salt in the wound. As a result, the audience was turned off by “Alien 3” before the first act had even ended.

The first iteration in this contentious franchise was everything a blockbuster should be – eye-catching and engaging. The visuals were widely praised, and critics agreed that despite the outlandish concept, it still felt somewhat grounded in reality. That praise was taken and run with – in the entirely wrong direction. “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” leaned heavily on the action sequences, prioritizing them over the actual plot. It became a stream of constant battles, which soured the viewing experience as a whole. In an attempt to escalate the intensity of those scenes, they lost sight of what had made the first one so charming in the first place. Ultimately, it gave the property a reputation it could never quite come back from.

Suspension of disbelief can be a powerful thing, but it’s still possible to take it too far. “Indiana Jones” has always walked the line between historical and fantastical, and enthusiasts have been able to wave away the more unrealistic aspects. When it came time for the fourth installment, it was clear that they had bitten off more than they could chew. Some moments were so far-fetched that they took the viewer out of the experience, from the infamous fridge nuking to the inclusion of aliens. If it had the heart of the previous three, then this could’ve been forgiven – but it seemed lifeless in comparison. It ended up coming across as a parody, rather than a continuation of the narrative.

Will Smith was undoubtedly one of the biggest draws of the larger-than-life original. His portrayal of Captain Hiller helped turn “Independence Day” into a widespread cultural phenomenon. He was going to reprise his role in the long-awaited sequel, but ended up dropping out due to other commitments. Instead of pausing the project, the studio decided to move forward without him. The script had to be reworked to remove Hiller, leading to an unsatisfying conclusion for the hero. It also had a ripple effect on the rest of the production, leading to a drop in quality. Had they been able to use the first version, maybe it could’ve had a better chance of holding up. Instead, it was panned universally.

Although the timeline is constantly changing, some rules have remained constant throughout the tumultuous series. The following additions became bolder with the use of the device, and for the most part, people were able to follow along with the changes. They flew too close to the sun with “Terminator Genisys,” wherein the protagonists attempted to stop the events of the first film. While that was bizarre enough, the questionable decisions didn’t stop there. The nail in the coffin was when John Connor was revealed to be not just a villain, but a Terminator himself. This was contradictory to everything that had been previously established. The twist was unearned and unnecessary, leading to more bewilderment than minds being blown.

Jim Carrey used the original to showcase his physical comedy and wide berth of impressions. The titular mask was the perfect vehicle to show that particular skill, and he was able to transform the slapstick comedy into something truly special. He was on track to appear in a direct continuation, but ended up withdrawing before it could come to fruition. This led to it being scrapped, and “Son of the Mask” being born – with a new cast and new storylines. While the lead tried his best, he couldn’t come close to Carrey’s natural fluidity, and as a result, his movements were noticeably stiff. The plot wasn’t much better, becoming so cartoonish that even its predecessor looked realistic in comparison.

While it could’ve been another drop in the bucket for the sci-fi genre, the inclusion of different philosophical ideas – such as the red and blue pills – helped carve out its own permanent place in pop culture. The first two introduced several questions, and it seemed that the third would finally answer them. The focus was centered around the special effects rather than the writing, which led to none of those mysteries being resolved. At the time, this was going to be the final part– and so the lack of a true conclusion bothered fans to no end. As if that wasn’t enough, the theoretical concepts were placed on the back burner– turning it into the antithesis of what it had once been.

The insane concept could’ve made this a complete flop – but the natural intensity of the situation and chemistry between the leads helped make it into a genuinely unique picture. The Keanu Reeves-led project had the perfect combination of action and tension, with the stakes remaining high the entire time. He wasn’t able to commit to the eventual follow-up, which led to extreme changes to the cast and setting. Taking place on a cruise liner caused it to lack any of the innate danger found in “Speed.” The lack of Reeves’ charisma only exacerbated the unfortunate shift. They attempted to recreate the magic, but the changes were so dramatic that their efforts fell flat– along with the audience’s enjoyment.

To say “Jaws” was a cultural reset is an understatement. The impact it created affected the entertainment industry as a whole. Everything from the shark itself to the citizens of Amity Island helped create a classic tale that is still considered to be iconic. The sequels haven’t been able to create the same effect. They tried expanding upon the premise, which only made each subsequent film more cheesy. Soon, it went off the rails, and many hoped that the ridiculous “Jaws 3-D” would be their final attempt. However, “Jaws: The Revenge” proved they could go even lower, removing several principal roles and introducing a laughably fake shark model. By that point, the legacy formed by the original was all but tarnished.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” (1987)
For This Is the Day That a Super Franchise Died

“Zoolander 2” (2016)
This Fashion-Based Comedy Was All Style & No Substance

“Highlander II: The Quickening” (1991)
This Unneeded Follow-up Reduced the Hero to Nothing More than a Joke

“Dark Phoenix” (2019)
Hugh Jackman’s Absence Helped End This Franchise on a Sour Note

“Caddyshack II” (1988)
It Being Rated PG Took Away All the Edge of the Original

Tim Burton’s rendition of the caped hero helped give him some credibility amongst general viewers as a serious force, rather than a campy joke. The stunning visuals and darker tone were some of the biggest standouts of this era. He manned the first two, but was replaced with Joel Schumacher for the other two. The new director took it in an entirely new direction, attempting a tongue-in-cheek attitude that ended up coming across as a mockery of Batman, rather than a return to his cartoon personality. The sudden shift also delayed any development he had experienced in the previous iterations. The adjustments were so severe that they forced the crusader into retirement until Christopher Nolan was able to revive him almost a decade later.

Which sequel do you think was the biggest disappointment? Let us know in the comments below.