1. Jaws: The Revenge (1987)
The original Jaws was a masterpiece that changed the way people looked at the ocean, but by the time Jaws: The Revenge rolled around, the franchise had completely jumped the shark—literally. This time, the plot revolves around a great white shark that apparently has a personal vendetta against the Brody family and follows them from Amity Island to the Bahamas. The idea that a shark would travel thousands of miles just to exact revenge is ridiculous, and the special effects weren’t much better. The film’s climax, in which the shark lets out an audible roar (despite having no vocal cords), is almost laughable says Rotten Tomatoes.
To make things worse, Jaws: The Revenge completely disregards the events of the previous film, making it even harder for fans to take seriously. Lorraine Gary returns as Ellen Brody, but without Roy Scheider, the movie lacks any real connection to the original’s greatness. Even Michael Caine, who starred in it, admitted he only did it for the paycheck. The film bombed at the box office and became a running joke among fans of the original.
2. Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997)
The first Speed was an action-packed thrill ride that kept audiences on the edge of their seats, but Speed 2: Cruise Control somehow forgot everything that made the original great. Instead of a high-stakes bus hijacking, this sequel takes place on a slow-moving cruise ship, completely draining the excitement out of the premise. Keanu Reeves, wisely, refused to return, leaving Sandra Bullock to carry the film with Jason Patric, who lacked Reeves’ charm. Willem Dafoe gives an over-the-top villain performance, but even he can’t save the film from its sluggish pacing shares Screen Rant.
The biggest issue is that a cruise ship just doesn’t have the same urgency as a speeding bus that can’t slow down. The original worked because the concept was simple and intense, but the sequel drags, making the title Speed 2 feel ironic. The film flopped both critically and commercially, and even Bullock has expressed regret about doing it. It’s no wonder there was never a Speed 3.
3. Highlander II: The Quickening (1991)
The first Highlander was a cult classic with a compelling mythology, but Highlander II: The Quickening completely butchered it. Instead of expanding on the original’s lore, the sequel bizarrely introduces a sci-fi twist, claiming the Immortals are actually aliens from another planet. This retcon completely undermines the first film’s story, confusing and frustrating fans. The film also suffers from a convoluted plot, awkward dialogue, and cheap-looking special effects that make it hard to take seriously says Collider.
Even Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery couldn’t salvage the mess, though Connery at least seemed to have fun cashing his paycheck. The movie was so poorly received that later versions of the franchise ignored its events entirely. It remains one of the most infamous examples of a sequel ruining a good movie’s legacy. Fans prefer to pretend it never happened.
4. The Hangover Part III (2013)
The first Hangover movie was a hilarious surprise hit, and while the second one was just a rehash of the original, at least it stuck to the formula. The Hangover Part III, however, completely abandons what made the franchise fun. Instead of another wild night of forgotten antics, the film shifts gears into an uninspired crime caper. The humor takes a backseat to a plot involving stolen gold and gangster drama, leaving audiences wondering where the comedy went.
Even the returning cast—Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis—seem to be going through the motions. The film lacks the outrageous set pieces and laugh-out-loud moments that made the first two enjoyable. Instead of ending the series on a high note, The Hangover Part III felt like a cash grab that nobody really asked for.
5. Son of the Mask (2005)
Jim Carrey’s The Mask was a wacky, energetic hit that showcased his rubber-faced comedy at its best. Son of the Mask took everything fun about the original and replaced it with obnoxious CGI and forced slapstick. The film stars Jamie Kennedy in a painful performance that feels like a poor imitation of Carrey’s charm. Worse, the story focuses on a baby who inherits the Mask’s powers, leading to an unbearable barrage of creepy visual effects.
The movie lacks the original’s clever humor and instead relies on loud, chaotic nonsense that fails to be entertaining. Critics tore it apart, and Kennedy later admitted that the backlash from the film hurt his career. Without Carrey, Son of the Mask was doomed from the start.
6. Caddyshack II (1988)
The original Caddyshack was a classic sports comedy with unforgettable performances from Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, and Rodney Dangerfield. The sequel, however, is an unfunny mess that failed to recapture any of the first film’s charm. Bill Murray and Rodney Dangerfield wisely refused to return, and their absence is felt throughout. Instead, Jackie Mason tries to fill the void, but his performance falls flat.
Even Chevy Chase, who does make an appearance, looks like he’d rather be anywhere else. The humor is forced, the jokes don’t land, and the whole film feels like a watered-down version of what came before. Fans of the original tend to pretend Caddyshack II doesn’t exist.
7. Basic Instinct 2 (2006)
Sharon Stone’s performance in the original Basic Instinct was legendary, but the sequel arrived way too late and with none of the same appeal. The erotic thriller genre had largely faded, and this follow-up felt like an unnecessary rehash. Stone returns as Catherine Tramell, but the story is dull, and the new male lead, played by David Morrissey, lacks the chemistry she had with Michael Douglas. The film tries to recreate the tension of the original but instead feels forced and uninspired.
The dialogue is clunky, the plot is predictable, and it lacks the edge that made the first film such a phenomenon. Critics tore it apart, and audiences largely ignored it. Some movies just don’t need sequels, and Basic Instinct 2 proved that in the worst way.
8. Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)
The original Blues Brothers was a perfect blend of music, comedy, and chaos, but its sequel, Blues Brothers 2000, was a disaster from the start. John Belushi’s absence loomed large, and while Dan Aykroyd tried to keep the magic alive, it just wasn’t the same. The film introduces a kid sidekick, which feels like a desperate attempt to appeal to younger audiences. The music is still solid, but the story is uninspired and lacks the rebellious energy of the first movie.
The biggest problem is that Blues Brothers 2000 feels like a cheap imitation rather than a worthy continuation. The humor doesn’t land, the plot drags, and it fails to recapture the original’s lightning-in-a-bottle brilliance. Without Belushi, the soul of The Blues Brothers was missing.
9. Dumb and Dumber To (2014)
Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels reunited for Dumb and Dumber To, but instead of a nostalgic return to form, it felt like a tired retread. The original was a dumb comedy done right, but the sequel just felt dumb without the charm. Many of the jokes were recycled or pushed too far into crude territory. The story involving a long-lost daughter didn’t add anything new or interesting.
The biggest issue was that the humor didn’t age well, making it feel like a relic of the past rather than a fresh comedy. Carrey and Daniels did their best, but it was clear that the magic was gone. Fans who loved the original were left disappointed.
10. The Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)
The Exorcist is considered one of the greatest horror films of all time, but its sequel, The Exorcist II: The Heretic, is one of the most baffling misfires in horror history. Instead of building on the terrifying atmosphere of the original, the sequel takes a bizarre turn into pseudo-science and metaphysical nonsense. Linda Blair returns as Regan, but the plot focuses on hypnosis, telepathy, and a strange machine that links people’s minds. The scares are almost nonexistent, replaced by confusing imagery and a meandering storyline.
Even acclaimed actor Richard Burton seems lost in the film, delivering a performance that feels more bewildered than menacing. The movie lacks the chilling suspense that made the first one a classic, making it feel like a completely different—and much worse—experience. Critics and audiences alike rejected it, and to this day, it remains one of the most infamous horror sequels ever made.
11. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
After a nearly 20-year gap, fans were excited for another adventure with Indiana Jones, but Kingdom of the Crystal Skull quickly became a disappointment. Instead of the grounded, history-driven adventure fans loved, the film introduced aliens, which felt completely out of place in the Indiana Jones universe. The action sequences were over-the-top in the worst way, from a fridge surviving a nuclear blast to Shia LaBeouf swinging through the jungle with CGI monkeys. It just didn’t feel like classic Indy.
Harrison Ford did his best, but the weak script and questionable creative choices weighed the movie down. Cate Blanchett’s villain felt cartoonish, and the film relied too heavily on CGI instead of the practical effects that made the originals so great. While it made money, it left many longtime fans feeling like the franchise should have ended with The Last Crusade.
12. Grease 2 (1982)
Grease was a cultural phenomenon, filled with catchy songs, iconic performances, and high-energy fun. Grease 2, on the other hand, was a lackluster attempt to recapture the magic without its original stars. Instead of John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, the film follows Michelle Pfeiffer and Maxwell Caulfield in a story that feels like a cheap imitation. The new songs are forgettable, and the charm of the original is completely missing.
The biggest issue is that the film just doesn’t have the same spark. The story feels forced, the characters are unmemorable, and it lacks the chemistry that made Grease such a beloved classic. Even Michelle Pfeiffer, who would go on to become a huge star, couldn’t save this one. Fans of the original tend to ignore that Grease 2 ever happened.
13. Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (2016)
The original Ghostbusters is one of the most beloved comedies of all time, and while a sequel in 1989 had its flaws, it was still connected to the original story. The 2016 reboot, however, felt like a complete misstep. Instead of being a true sequel, it was a total reimagining with new characters that failed to capture the magic of the original cast. The humor felt forced, and the CGI ghosts looked more cartoonish than scary.
While the cast—featuring Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones—had talent, the film lacked the effortless chemistry that made the original so fun. The writing relied too much on improvisation, and the action sequences felt generic. It wasn’t the all-female cast that turned fans off—it was the weak script and lack of connection to the original Ghostbusters legacy. The disappointment was so strong that the franchise pivoted back to its roots with Ghostbusters: Afterlife, ignoring this installment entirely.