They Made More?
Usually, a studio will decide to make a sequel because the first film was a hit—and given the popularity of the first movie, you'd think we would remember that they made a second. But as you're about to find out, that isn't always the case.
Mean Girls 2 (2011)
No, we're not confusing this with the 2024 musical Mean Girls. There was an actual sequel made back in 2011. Although it was made-for-TV, Tina Fey didn't write it and it looks like Tim Meadows was the only returning cast member from the first film.
Paramount, Mean Girls 2 (2011)
2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984)
You could make the case that not only is 2001: A Space Odyssey Stanley Kubrick's greatest movie, it might just be the greatest movie ever made. However, you sure couldn't say that about the oft forgotten sequel they made 16 years later.
MGM, 2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984)
2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984)
And by "they", we don't mean Kubrick, because while the film is based on Arthur C Clarke's sequel novel, Kubrick had nothing to do with this one. Maybe that's why we all forgot about it. Well, that and the fact that it wasn't very good.
MGM, 2010: The Year We Make Contact (2012)
Son of the Mask (2005)
When Jim Carrey turned down a $10 million offer to make a Mask sequel, that should've been the end of it. Carey was the Mask and trying to replace him was going to be impossible. But, they tried and what they came up with was Jamie Kennedy and a lot more special effects. Yes, it's as bad as you think it is.
New Line, Son of the Mask (2005)
Jaws 3-D (1983)
Most of us remember that they made a sequel to Steven Spielberg's Jaws, but what many might not remember is that Jaws 2 wasn't the only sequel they made. In 1983, audiences were treated—or better yet, mistreated—to Jaws 3-D. 3D was having a moment at the time and the third Jaws film looked to capitalize on it. The film was three dimensions of terrible. But if you thought this movie's 11% Rotten Tomatoes score was low, at least it's in the double digits—something that can't be said about the next movie.
Jaws: The Revenge (1987)
Although it was terrible, Jaws 3-D turned a nice little profit, which explains why, four years later, we got another sequel, Jaws: The Revenge. This one was even worse. Can you say 2%?
Universal, Jaws: The Revenge (1987)
Confess, Fletch! (2022)
Back in the '80s, Chevy Chase was one of the biggest comedic stars in Hollywood and one of his most beloved characters was Irwin "Fletch" Fletcher who he played in two films, Fletch and Fletch Lives. 33 years later, a third installment of the franchise was released.
Miramax, Confess, Fletch (2022)
Confess, Fletch! (2022)
This time, with Jon Hamm in the lead role, and guess what? It was good. However, it didn't get a wide theatrical release and without a big promotional push, it never found a big audience besides those fans to whom the name "Fletch" still meant something.
Miramax, Confess, Fletch (2022)
Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997)
Sandra Bullock was back but Jason Patric replaced Keanu Reeves, and the action moved from a bus to a cruise ship.
Twentieth Century, Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997)
French Connection II (1975)
This was another case of a different director making the second film, but as opposed to the 2010 example, the French Connection sequel had another top director sitting behind the camera. William Friedkin made the first film, while John Frankenheimer directed French Connection II. While the first film holds a 96% Rotten Tomatoes score, Frankenheimer's movie is no slouch at 82%.
Twentieth Century, French Connection II (1975)
The Two Jakes (1990)
Jack Nicholson only directed three movies in his career and the last one he ever got behind the camera for was The Two Jakes. You may have heard of this one, but given its poor showing at the box office, there's a good chance you haven't seen it.
Paramount, The Two Jakes (1990)
The Two Jakes (1990)
Another possible reason many aren't aware it's a sequel is because the title isn't Chinatown 2. That's right, this was a sequel to Roman Polanski's 1974 classic, Chinatown (starring Nicholson). The film was envisioned to be the second in a trilogy, but plans for a third movie were scrapped after The Two Jakes failed to even make its money back.
Paramount, The Two Jakes (1990)
Shock Treatment (1981)
If this sequel to Rocky Horror Picture Show had been any good, maybe we'd all be dressing up in costumes and going to a special screening of Shock Treatment to yell lines and throw stuff at the screen. But alas, we aren't.
Twentieth Century, Shock Treatment (1981)
Return To Oz (1985)
How did we all forget that in 1985 we returned to Oz? It's true, Disney took us back to Oz decades after the original film and this time it was a darker story, and one that just didn't connect with audiences. Hence the $11 million box office. The movie has gained a cult following in the intervening years—but no, we don't know how well it pairs up with the Dark Side of the Moon album.
Walt Disney, Return to Oz (1985)
Grease 2 (1982)
That's right, four years after the first film became a hit, we went back to Rydell High School for Grease 2. However, despite a few good songs and a breakout performance by Michelle Pfeiffer (in her first starring role), they couldn't strike lightning again—or should we say 'grease lightning'. Over the decades since the film's release, there have been talks of more sequels and even a prequel movie, but nothing has come to fruition.
The Next Karate Kid (1994)
We all remember Ralph Macchio waxing on and off in The Karate Kid and its two sequels, but what about the fourth film in the series? Those familiar with The Next Karate Kid probably became aware of its existence after Hilary Swank got famous—as this was her first starring role.
Columbia, The Next Karate Kid (1994)
Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004)
Unlike Baby in the first film, someone should've put this Dirty Dancing sequel in a corner...and left it there. The setting for the film is Cuba during the Cuban Revolution and the film is designed as a prequel to the iconic original. At least Patrick Swayze shows up as a dance instructor.
Miramax, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004)
More American Graffiti (1979)
This might surprise some younger filmgoers, but George Lucas directed two other movies before he made Star Wars. And they were both good—especially 1973's American Graffiti. Lucas actually did want to make a sequel but the film's producer, Francis Ford Coppola, wasn't interested.
Universal, More American Graffiti (1979)
More American Graffiti (1979)
So, Lucas moved on, and instead focused his attention on Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Eventually, a sequel did come into play, but Lucas was too busy with other stuff and didn't have time to direct. Maybe if he had, it would've left more of an impression on the cinematic landscape.
Universal, More American Graffiti (1979)
Psycho II (1983)
At the end of Psycho, Norman Bates is seen sitting in a jail cell. But what happened next? Well, Hitchcock never told us, but in 1983, writer Tom Holland and director Richard Franklin did. Set 22 years after the first film, we see Norman Bates released from a mental institution and return to the Bates Motel. The film actually garnered some decent reviews and holds a surprising 62% on Rotten Tomatoes. But that wasn't the end of Norman Bates, either.
Psycho III (1986)
If you forgot about part two, we assume you also didn't realize they made a part three.
Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990)
Yup, there was a fourth as well. Although this one was a made-for-TV movie and, for some reason, it pretty much ignored all the happenings of parts two and three.
Universal, Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990)
U.S. Marshals (1998)
We get it: The Fugitive was a big hit and a great movie and Tommy Lee Jones—in his Oscar-winning role—was a stand out force. So, spinning off his character into a sequel made sense. The film raked in over $100 at the box office but didn't have much staying power in our movie minds.
Warner Bros., U.S. Marshals (1998)
My Summer Story (1994)
Do you remember the 1983 holiday comedy A Christmas Story? So, why would you remember that My Summer Story was a sequel to the former? Especially since My Summer Story's $71,000 box office haul seems to indicate very few folks ever even saw it. While we're on this topic...
A Christmas Story 2 (2012)
They made two more sequels, the first going straight to DVD in 2012...
Warner Bros., A Christmas Story 2 (2012)
A Christmas Story Christmas (2022)
And the next one premiering on HBO Max in 2022.
Warner Bros., A Christmas Story Christmas (2022)
Splash, Too (1988)
Maybe we all forgot about this one because we didn't watch The Disney Sunday Movie on May 1 and May 8, 1988. That's right, the follow up to one of the '80s most beloved rom-coms was a made-for-TV movie.
Walt Disney, Splash, Too (1988)
S. Darko (2009)
Wait! Hold up! Richard Kelly made a sequel to Donnie Darko? Nope. As Kelly said when the film was in production, "To set the record straight, here are a few facts I'd like to share with you all—I haven't read this script. I have absolutely no involvement with this production, nor will I ever be involved".
Twentieth Century, S. Darko (2009)
American Psycho 2 (2002)
Who wanted to see a sequel to American Psycho without Christian Bale? Nobody! Originally titled The Girl Who Wouldn't Die, the film had nothing to do with American Psycho until some changes were made during production to provide connection to the first film.
Lionsgate, American Psycho 2 (2002)
American Psycho 2 (2002)
To go along with its 11% Rotten Tomatoes score, this direct-to-video piece of junk was slammed by Bret Easton Ellis, the guy who wrote the American Psycho novel. Mila Kunis, who starred in the sequel, has also talked about her regrets over doing the film.
Lionsgate, American Psycho 2 (2002)
Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)
The first Blues Brothers movie made over $115 million and holds a special place in everyone's comedy and blues lovin' hearts. So, they tried to get the band back together in 1998, but it just didn't work. As with the first film, John Landis returned to direct and he co-wrote the script with Dan Ackroyd. But there was a big piece missing.
Universal, Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)
Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)
That piece was John Belushi. We love John Goodman, but to those for whom the Blues Brothers meant something, it just wasn't the same without Belushi, and the sequel fell flat. Also, what about the fact that Blues Brothers 2000 was released in 1998. Does that bug anyone else?
Universal, Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)
The Jewel Of The Nile (1985)
This is another case of a sequel having a completely different title from the film that came before it. 1984's Romancing the Stone was a surprise hit and with that came a quick turnaround to get a sequel out the following year. That sequel was The Jewel of the Nile. This one saw some box office success also, but it hasn't had the staying power of Romancing the Stone.
Twentieth Century, The Jewel of the Nile (1985)
The Jesus Rolls (2019)
The "Jesus" referred to in the title of this 2019 film wasn't the walk-on-water, turn-water-into-wine Jesus. but rather the Jesus Quintana one. Fans of The Big Lebowski's ears just perked up when they heard that name. Yes, this was a spin-off sequel to that much beloved Coen Brothers movie and John Turturro's character in said film.
Screen Media, The Jesus Rolls (2019)
The Jesus Rolls (2019)
No, the brothers didn't write or direct The Jesus Rolls, but John Turturro did. That's right, Turturro wrote, directed, and starred in The Jesus Rolls. But unfortunately, he didn't just roll a gutter ball with this one—he bounced the ball into the neighboring lane. With a 20% Rotten Tomatoes score and a box office haul of just over $64,000, the Dude does not abide this one.
Screen Media, The Jesus Rolls (2019)
Staying Alive (1983)
Disco might've been dead in 1983, but they tried to keep the memory of the greatest disco movie of all time alive with this follow up to Saturday Night Fever. Directed by Sylvester Stallone, the film was actually a big hit at the box office, but given that it holds a dreaded 0% score on Rotten Tomatoes, Sly is probably pretty happy we've all forgotten about it.
