Whereas the 2020s have been residence to some unbelievable sequels, they’ve additionally seen their justifiable share of disappointing follow-ups. It is unlucky, however the decade that gave us Prime Gun: Maverick and Spider-Man: Throughout the Spider-Verse has additionally delivered loads of sequels that didn’t stay as much as the originals.
It is essential to notice that this record is not concerning the worst sequels of the 2020s, it is concerning the ones that fall far shy of the primary entry within the franchise. The movies that we wished to like however finally made us want the sequel had by no means been made.
Marvel Lady 1984 (2020)
When Marvel Lady got here out in 2017, it was a breath of recent air within the DCEU. To that time, movies like Batman v Superman: Daybreak of Justice and Suicide Squad had been lackluster. Marvel Lady was a powerful superhero film with some coronary heart and an uplifting, inspiring story.
The sequel was extremely anticipated and introduced again director Patty Jenkins, but it missed the mark significantly. The movie tried to rely an excessive amount of on issues that labored earlier than, like bringing Chris Pine again in a convoluted method. That was solely the start of the sequel’s issues, although.
Marvel Lady 1984 additionally featured two lackluster villains that did not correctly make the most of the charisma of actors Pedro Pascal and Kristen Wiig. Add in mediocre motion and Gal Gadot’s efficiency and it was a misfire. That mentioned, Patty Jenkins deserves one other shot at making a big-budget film.
Area Jam: A New Legacy (2021)
To be honest to this sequel, the unique Area Jam wasn’t a critically acclaimed movie. Nevertheless, it’s a beloved film of its period that so many millennials have fond reminiscences of, so making a sequel over 20 years later was a tall process, amplified by the Looney Tunes not being as fashionable as they had been within the ’90s.
There have been some good concepts in Area Jam: A New Legacy and it really has a greater lead actor as a result of LeBron James is best on the display screen than Michael Jordan. The remainder of the film was the issue, beginning with the truth that most of it’s a CGI nightmare at occasions.
The film additionally opted to attempt to cram in a ton of characters from different Warner Bros. properties, turning the climax right into a cameo-fest. It was additionally principally a retread of the identical plot from the unique, simply to much less success.
Coming 2 America (2021)
Alongside the identical strains as Area Jam: A New Legacy, Coming 2 America had the tough process of being a legacy sequel. These is usually a blended bag at finest and contemplating the unique Coming to America is broadly seen as a comedy basic, it had a lot to stay as much as.
Sadly, Coming 2 America could not ship the way in which that Eddie Murphy’s comeback automobile, My Title is Dolemite, did. The complete premise was an issue, because the plot of Prince Akeem returning to America to discover a son he did not find out about adjustments the way in which we take a look at the unique movie.
They shoehorned in a narrative that retcons the plot of the primary movie, which left a nasty style for viewers. On high of that, Coming 2 America is nowhere close to as humorous as the unique. That mentioned, the film was really nominated for an Oscar for Greatest Make-up and Hairstyling.
Do not Breathe 2 (2021)
The horror film Do not Breathe had a premise that did not sound like it might be nice, but the movie labored effectively. Fede Álvarez is a director who has proven his abilities with the horror style and Jane Levy is a unbelievable lead (they labored collectively on Evil Useless as effectively), making this a hit.
A follow-up did not appear essential and when it lastly arrived, it proved that it wasn’t. Do not Breathe 2 shifts the main target to Stephen Lang’s Norman, the Blind Man, who was the villain within the first installment. Making an attempt to show the murdering rapist right into a sympathetic character is not a superb transfer.
Do not Breathe 2 additionally does not characteristic Fede Álvarez as a director, so his regular hand wasn’t there to assist issues. There’s additionally some poorly delivered dialogue and the performances aren’t robust.
Resort Transylvania 4: Transformania (2022)
Launched in 2012, Resort Transylvania was successful film for Sony Footage Animation. It grossed about $300 million, spawned a franchise that features a number of sequels, and has a proficient voice solid that features Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez, and Andy Samberg.
The second and third installments are stable enjoyable, however Resort Transylvania: Transformania stopped that development. Outdoors of a restricted theater run, it went to Prime Video and felt like a a lot smaller film than the remaining. Adam Sandler additionally did not return to voice Dracula on account of scheduling conflicts.
Whereas his alternative was stable, the movie lacked Sandler’s appeal and the story wasn’t something overly attention-grabbing. Resort Transylvania: Transformania had comparable important critiques to the primary, however audiences had been far much less pleased with it, evidenced by its 42% Popcornmeter rating, in comparison with the 72% that the primary movie has.
Halloween Ends (2022)
David Gordon Inexperienced’s 2018 requel Halloween was simply what the franchise wanted. It had been dormant since Rob Zombie’s reboot makes an attempt and most sequels had been poorly acquired. Many consider that the 1978 unique and the 2018 model are the height of the franchise.
Halloween Kills adopted up and was met with a blended response but in addition set the stage for an epic finale. Sadly, Halloween Ends did not ship on that potential, as an alternative opting to give attention to a brand new character who falls for Laurie’s granddaughter and turns into a killer himself.
The concept of evil infecting a brand new era is an intriguing thought however it felt misplaced right here when the story wanted to be about Michael, Laurie, and their historical past. The 40% Rotten Tomatoes score is a far cry from what the primary movie scored.
Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
It is no secret that the MCU has been up and down since Avengers: Endgame. Among the many misses within the franchise was Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania, which was a disgrace as a result of the primary Ant-Man is a blast and the sequel is fairly enjoyable too, even when they don’t seem to be the very best MCU films.
Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania nonetheless featured the charisma of Paul Rudd within the lead and he had good chemistry with Kathryn Newton as his on-screen daughter. Sadly, that is type of the place the positives finish for this poorly-received sequel. For starters, having it happen within the Quantum Realm meant it is only a big inexperienced display screen visible nightmare.
Additionally they made odd decisions, just like the visible type for M.O.D.O.Ok. or the choice to have Kang lose to Ant-Man right here. He was purported to be the following massive villain however dropping to a singular hero did not make him really feel intimidating. Critiques weren’t good and it ended up as a field workplace bomb.
The Platform 2 (2024)
El Hoyo, or The Platform because it’s recognized in america, was a shock hit for Netflix in 2019. The movie advised an attention-grabbing story at a jail the place a platform of meals is lowered on varied ranges, with the decrease ranges ending up with nothing to eat.
A sequel set in the identical location did not really feel wanted however there have been loads of concepts that may very well be pulled out when it comes to the themes the primary movie showcased. As an alternative, The Platform 2 was a prequel that delivered extra of the identical, simply with much less profitable outcomes.
The Platform 2 was poorly acquired in comparison with the primary, with a Rotten Tomatoes score that’s lower than half of the unique. This one lacked character growth and the rehashing of previous themes wasn’t precisely what folks had been searching for.
Joker: Folie à deux (2024)
Joker was about as massive successful as you possibly can think about in 2019. It grossed over $1 billion on a price range of round $70 million and noticed Joaquin Phoenix win Greatest Actor on the Academy Awards for his efficiency because the titular character. Director Todd Phillips had no plans for a sequel although.
Nevertheless, because it made a lot cash, a sequel was certainly made and it is clear that it by no means ought to’ve occurred. The movie had potential, particularly since they introduced in Woman Gaga to play Harley Quinn however every part else achieved was an odd selection.
Joker: Folie á deux was a musical, besides not one of the songs had been good and it was really miserable throughout. Even the performances weren’t well-received, which is odd given the expertise concerned. The movie was a field workplace flop and was a important misfire.
Concern Road: Promenade Queen (2025)
In 2021, Netflix put out the criminally underrated Concern Road trilogy. Primarily based on the guide collection by R.L. Stine, these had been high quality horror films that advised an overarching story, featured likable characters, had good LGBTQ+ illustration, and spanned a number of horror subgenres.
Followers wished a brand new movie for years and it lastly arrived with Concern Road: Promenade Queen. This was a standalone story and that is for the very best, given the poor reception. Paying homage to ’80s slashers was a good suggestion and solid members like Arianna Greenblatt gave this potential.
Sadly, it feels prefer it was utterly written by AI, since almost each line both seems like a cliché or was characters overexplaining every part. No person talked like an precise individual, there have been no scares value remembering, and the film lacked every part that made the primary three enjoyable.