With so many horrible sequels available, picking the ten worst sequels of all time was challenging. Indeed, there have been numerous instances where sequels have fallen far short of their original counterparts, making them infamous examples of ‘how not to do a sequel.’
Thankfully, viewers on IMDb did most of the work for us, sharing their valuable insights and ratings, which we’ve used to compile this list.
What follows is a painstakingly curated breakdown of each terrible sequel. We delve into what specifically made these follow-ups lackluster and disappointing. Some of these sequels found their unfortunate place on this list despite being birthed from incredibly successful and well-received franchises.
They had every ingredient for success – a captive audience, proven characters, and established lore, yet they managed to fumble. Conversely, others continued on an already rocky path of subpar predecessor films, cementing their series as characterized by chronic cinematic failure.
Many of these sequels were not merely content with sullying the legacy of their franchise. They aspired and succeeded in being among the worst films ever made. They’ve earned their dishonorable mention in our “worst movies of all time” list, demonstrating a unique level of movie-making mishap transcending the realm of sequels.
Whether due to poor writing, disappointing performances, an unsatisfying plot, a blatant disregard for the source material, or often a combination of all these factors, each sequel on this list uniquely contributed to the pantheon of poorly-received cinema.
So brace yourself as we dive into the world of cinematic flops that have left viewers worldwide wishing for a ‘memory wipe’ gadget to erase the sequel experience.
10 Worst Rated Sequels of All Time, According to IMDb
- ‘Jaws 3-D’ (1983) – 3.7
- ‘Batman & Robin’ (1997) – 3.7
- ‘Mortal Kombat: Annihilation’ (1997) – 3.6
- ‘Scary Movie V’ (2013) – 3.5
- ‘Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd’ (2003) – 3.4
- ‘Teen Wolf Too’ (1987) – 3.4
- ‘The NeverEnding Story III’ (1994) – 3.2
- ‘Jaws: The Revenge’ (1987) – 3.0
- ‘Son of the Mask’ (2005) – 2.2
- ‘Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2’ (2004) – 1.5
10 ‘Jaws 3-D’ (1983)
IMDb: 3.7/10 46K | Popularity: 3,301 | Metascore:
Genres: Adventure, Horror, Thriller
‘Jaws 3-D‘, the third in the Jaws series, was a letdown. It traded suspense and thrill for mediocrity and an unimpressive 3-D effect.
From Amity Island, we find ourselves in a SeaWorld park in Florida. A Great White Shark wreaks havoc here, but the promising plot was bungled. The new 3-D technology failed to impress.
Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett Jr. star in the movie, but their performances lacked depth and emotion. The screenplay was wanting, the dialogue was often ridiculous, and the original Jaws’ fear factor was missing.
The over-reliance on special effects was the final blow. The 1975 Jaws used practical effects to invoke fear, while ‘Jaws 3-D‘ overdid its mechanical shark in 3-D, causing laughter instead of fright.
Ultimately, ‘Jaws 3-D’ failed to bank on previous success and new technology. It lacked the original’s suspense, horror, and gripping storyline. A prime example of a botched sequel, ‘Jaws 3-D‘ is tenth on our worst sequels list.
9 ‘Batman & Robin’ (1997)
IMDb: 3.7/10 260K | Popularity: 1,080 | Metascore:
Genres: Action, Sci-Fi
The fourth Batman film by Warner Brothers, ‘Batman & Robin,’ had a neon problem and was less about gritty heroics and more about garish hues and campy dialogues.
Batman and Robin squared off against Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy in the film, but we got a messy narrative instead of thrilling showdowns. George Clooney, under the famous cowl, lacked the gravitas we craved. Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s Mr. Freeze was all puns, no chill.
Then there were the special effects and costumes. Let’s not forget the “Bat-Nipples.” These design hiccups further diluted the plot, making the film more spectacle than substance.
But in a comical twist, ‘Batman & Robin‘ shone at the Razzie Awards with 11 nominations, proving its epic failure. Alicia Silverstone went home with the Worst Supporting Actress award, an unwanted honor.
‘Batman & Robin‘ wanted to soar like its predecessors. Instead, it fell hard. The overuse of neon, weak writing, and over-the-top performances make it ninth on our worst sequels rundown.
8 ‘Mortal Kombat: Annihilation’ (1997)
IMDb: 3.6/10 56K | Popularity: 3,227 | Metascore:
Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
The sequel to a promising video game adaptation, ‘Mortal Kombat: Annihilation‘ punched its way to disaster and left us with a sour taste. Any goodwill from the first movie? Annihilated.
The story? Earthrealm warriors battling invaders from the Outworld. But the convoluted plot and laughable dialogues crippled character development and combat scenes.
Despite a rich source material, ‘Mortal Kombat: Annihilation‘ delivered a baffling narrative. Recasting missteps, notably Raiden and Sonya Blade, didn’t help.
The special effects were a joke. Far from impressive, the CGI turned fight scenes into unintended comic relief.
Pretty sure that ‘Mortal Kombat: Annihilation‘ might have misunderstood ‘Finish Him,’ ending any hope for a successful Mortal Kombat movie franchise. It delivers a critical blow to its reputation, placing it number eight on our worst sequels of all time.
7 ‘Scary Movie V’ (2013)
IMDb: 3.5/10 74K | Popularity: 3,433 | Metascore:
Genres: Comedy, Horror
‘Scary Movie V‘ slumps into the seventh spot, trading laughter for sighs. A part of a franchise celebrated for wild humor and pop culture lampooning, this film lost its way.
It tried to parody various films, from ‘Paranormal Activity‘ to ‘Inception.’
The result? We get a plot as chaotic as its influences, leading to a disjointed scene mashup that left more confusion than chuckles.
The performances lacked spark, and the comedic timing of earlier films was MIA. The absence of series staple Anna Faris created a comedic chasm that the film couldn’t bridge.
The movie’s downfall? It’s an overreliance on crass humor and shock antics, replacing genuine wit and clever commentary. The overuse of this approach made it repulsive, not funny.
‘Scary Movie V‘ is a horrifying miss in comedy. A sad specter of the franchise’s former brilliance, it comfortably haunts the number seven spot on our worst sequels list. Even a parody of a successful sequel couldn’t have saved this one.
6 ‘Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd’ (2003)
IMDb: 3.4/10 41K | Popularity: 4,995 | Metascore:
Genres: Comedy
In sixth place, this prequel to the hit ‘Dumb and Dumber‘ attempted to recycle its original humor but ended up as ‘dumberer’ than amusing.
The film rewinds to Harry and Lloyd’s high school hijinks. However, it churns out a collection of forced, clumsy jokes instead of the natural charisma of its predecessor.
New faces Derek Richardson and Eric Christian Olsen had to step into Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels‘ big shoes. But their attempt lacked the chemistry and comedic rhythm of the famed pair, making it more copycat than tribute.
The film’s wafer-thin plot amplified its problems, offering a shallow vessel for slapstick and crude humor, missing the delightful absurdity of the original.
‘Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd‘ stayed true to its title, presenting a film that was indeed dumberer. It is a glaring example that recapturing comedy gold isn’t child’s play, locking it into the number six spot on our worst sequels of all time list.
5 ‘Teen Wolf Too’ (1987)
IMDb: 3.4/10 12K | Popularity: 4,212 | Metascore:
Genres: Comedy, Fantasy
Holding its place at number five, ‘Teen Wolf Too‘ is a sequel that opted for a formulaic rehashing rather than a refreshing continuation of the original ‘Teen Wolf.’
While the original was lauded for its charming blend of teen angst and supernatural comedy, the sequel was a woeful retread lacking originality and humor.
The plot involves Todd Howard, cousin of the original protagonist Scott, who also has the hereditary werewolf curse. Transitioning from basketball to boxing, the film aimed to bring a new angle to the story, but it came off as more of the same without the appealing novelty of the first installment.
In his first leading role, Jason Bateman had an arduous task following Michael J. Fox‘s charming portrayal of the original teen wolf. Despite Bateman’s best efforts, he couldn’t inject the necessary charisma and comedic chops to carry the film, resulting in a lackluster performance.
The biggest issue with the movie was its failure to recapture the original’s heart and humor. It seemed more focused on retelling the same story than presenting a fresh take, resulting in an unnecessary and unengaging sequel.
In a humorous vein, ‘Teen Wolf Too‘ could have used a full moon to shine some inspiration on its plot and character development. Instead, it languishes in the shadow of its predecessor, howling in at number five on our list of worst sequels of all time.
4 ‘The NeverEnding Story III’ (1994)
IMDb: 3.2/10 12K
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Family
Breaking the mold and crashing in at number four on our worst sequels list is ‘The NeverEnding Story III.’
Unlike its enchanting and highly imaginative predecessors, this sequel took a nosedive into the realm of mediocrity, failing to capture the magic and wonder of Fantasia that viewers had come to love.
Notably, the film replaced the original’s mystical creatures and captivating adventures with clichéd bullies, teen angst, and a chaotic storyline. The charm of the first two movies evaporated, leaving behind a dull echo that could hardly be called a sequel.
At the helm was Jason James Richter, stepping into the role of Bastian. Sadly, he fell short of delivering the wide-eyed wonder and emotional depth that Barret Oliver brought to the character in the first film.
The haphazard storytelling and loss of heart in ‘The NeverEnding Story III‘ turned it into a forgettable cinematic event. This is a prime example of how sequels can become disconnected from their original content, losing what made them special.
To infuse a dash of humor into our review, it’s fair to say the movie’s title was the most misleading part – watching it felt like a never-ending trial of patience. This film is a testament to the fact that not all stories should be never-ending and comfortably earns the number four spot on our list of worst sequels of all time.
3 ‘Jaws: The Revenge’ (1987)
IMDb: 3/10 48K | Popularity: 4,157 | Metascore:
Genres: Adventure, Horror, Thriller
The third worst sequel, ‘Jaws: The Revenge,’ bit off more than it could chew. It’s the second Jaws film on this notorious list, a dubious honor. Rapidly sinking like a punctured lifeboat, it stained the franchise’s once gleaming reputation.
Absurdly, the plot now revolves around a vengeful shark stalking Ellen Brody, Chief Brody’s widow. This odd narrative stretched viewers’ disbelief, cutting ties with the original’s raw realism.
Despite featuring talents like Lorraine Gary and Michael Caine, a lackluster script hamstrung the film. Suspense, dramatic tension, and character development were all sadly missing.
Moreover, the special effects were laughably bad. The once terrifying mechanical shark now resembled a comical prop. In the climax, the shark even makes an unrealistic leap, prompting more laughs than gasps.
In essence, ‘Jaws: The Revenge‘ should serve as a cautionary tale. It shows how sequels can blunt even the sharpest franchises, earning it the third spot of our worst sequels of all time.
2 ‘Son of the Mask’ (2005)
IMDb: 2.2/10 58K | Popularity: 3,752 | Metascore:
Genres: Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Smiling painfully at number two is ‘Son of the Mask,’ a sequel that took the fun, creative chaos of ‘The Mask’ and turned it into a confusing whirlwind of outlandish slapstick and off-putting visual effects. Sadly, it doesn’t just fail to match up; instead, it attempts to tarnish the original legacy.
Jamie Kennedy replaced the charismatic Jim Carrey, whose performance as the Mask’s new wearer, Tim Avery, left audiences missing the manic energy and comedic timing that Carrey had brought to the original. It was a tough act to follow, and the sequel suffered from the comparison.
The plot centered around Tim and his infant son, who inherited the Mask’s powers. It resulted in chaotic, over-the-top scenarios that felt more grating than amusing. The humor often bordered on creepy, losing the original’s balance of hilarity and heart.
The visuals and special effects of the movie were heavily criticized. The quality was deemed inadequate, making viewers feel disappointed.
What should have been a highlight became a contention point for many. The CGI was seen as overused and unsettling, overshadowing the comedy and turning what should have been fun into a bizarre spectacle.
On a lighter note, it seems that the Mask’s infamous line, “Ssssmokin,” should have been a warning to the producers about the state of the script. This Mask chapter is a prime example of a sequel gone awry, earning it the number two spot on our list of worst sequels ever.
1 ‘Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2’ (2004)
IMDb: 1.5/10 31K | Metascore:
Genres: Comedy, Family, Sci-Fi
Crawling in at the number one spot is ‘Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2‘, a sequel that stands as a monumental misstep in cinematic sequels. The original already terrible idea for the film “Baby Geniuses” was taken and enlarged, but this only brought unfavorable results.
The story follows a group of super-intelligent babies who must stop an evil media mogul’s plans. It’s a concept that could be charming in its silliness if done right, but ‘Superbabies’ failed to bring the necessary wit or warmth to make it work.
The acting was universally panned, with even the youngest cast members failing to deliver a performance that could save the film. The dialogue was cringeworthy, and the humor fell flat, leading to a more tiresome movie than entertaining.
Visually, the film suffered from subpar special effects and a dull color palette, making it less than appealing to its intended young audience. Even an Academy Award winner, Jon Voight, couldn’t save this film from its inevitable fate.
‘Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2‘ might be the only film where the diaper content was more appealing than the storyline. This film earned the spot at the top of our list for worst sequels of all time. It was an undeniable failure.
FAQs About the Worst Sequels of All Time
What are some of the worst movie sequels, according to Rotten Tomatoes?
All of the following worst movies received a 0% on the Tomatometer. The list below includes an audience score for each film.
- 10. ‘The Sting II’ (1983) – 29%
- 9. ‘Atlas Shrugged: Who Is John Galt?’ (2014) – 41%
- 8. ‘The Gallows Act II’ (2019) – 29%
- 7. ‘Ring 2’ (1999) – 51%
- 6. ‘Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol’ (1987) – 38%
- 5. ‘Highlander II: The Quickening’ (1991) – 23%
- 4. ‘Staying Alive’ (1983) – 40%
- 3. ‘Return to the Blue Lagoon’ (1991) – 41%
- 2. ‘Jaws: The Revenge’ (1987) – 15%
- 1. ‘Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2’ (2004) – 24%
Senior Editor, BuddyTV
