The 12 Most Unnecessary Movie Sequels Ever Made, Ranked

Some movie sequels feel like natural extensions of a story, picking up where the original left off with fresh ideas. Others, though, seem to exist just to cash in on a successful name, leaving audiences wondering why they were even made.

These follow-ups often lack the spark of their predecessors, recycling tired ideas or straying so far from what worked that they feel like different films entirely. Below, I’ve ranked the 12 most unnecessary movie sequels, from mildly misguided to outright baffling.

12. ‘Jaws: The Revenge’ (1987)

The fourth ‘Jaws’ film follows Ellen Brody, who believes a great white shark is targeting her family for revenge. The premise is absurd, with the shark seemingly defying nature to chase its prey across oceans.

This movie abandons the grounded terror of Steven Spielberg’s original ‘Jaws’ (1975), replacing it with a laughable plot and weak effects. It was made to promote a Universal Studios theme park ride, not to tell a compelling story, making it feel like a hollow cash grab.

11. ‘Speed 2: Cruise Control’ (1997)

After the high-octane thrills of ‘Speed’ (1994), this sequel puts Sandra Bullock’s Annie on a cruise ship hijacked by a hacker, played by Willem Dafoe. Keanu Reeves wisely sat this one out, leaving Jason Patric to fill the action-hero gap.

The shift from a speeding bus to a slow-moving ship kills the tension that made the first film great. The action feels forced, and the villain’s plan is more convoluted than menacing, rendering this sequel a sluggish misstep.

10. ‘Son of the Mask’ (2005)

This follow-up to ‘The Mask’ (1994) replaces Jim Carrey with Jamie Kennedy as a cartoonist whose baby and dog gain powers from the magical mask. The story revolves around the Norse god Loki trying to reclaim it.

Without Carrey’s manic energy, the comedy falls flat, relying on dated CGI and weak gags. The original was a showcase for Carrey’s talent, but this sequel feels like a cheap attempt to milk the concept without its heart.

9. ‘Grease 2’ (1982)

‘Grease 2’ tries to recapture the magic of ‘Grease’ (1978) with a new cast, following a British student and a tough girl at Rydell High. Michelle Pfeiffer stars, but even her charm can’t save it.

The songs are forgettable, and the story mimics the original without its spark or iconic leads like John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. It feels like a pale imitation, made to exploit the first film’s popularity rather than add anything new.

8. ‘Zoolander 2’ (2016)

Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson return as dim-witted models Derek and Hansel, facing a new fashion-world mystery. Packed with celebrity cameos, it tries to recreate the quirky humor of ‘Zoolander’ (2001).

The jokes feel forced, and the plot leans too heavily on nostalgia rather than fresh comedy. After a 15-year gap, this sequel lacks the sharp satire of the original, coming off as a tired rehash for a quick profit.

7. ‘Basic Instinct 2’ (2006)

Sharon Stone reprises her role as Catherine Tramell, now in London and entangled with a psychiatrist. The erotic thriller tries to recaptures the steamy intrigue of ‘Basic Instinct’ (1992) but feels dated.

The absence of Michael Douglas and the original’s bold edge leaves this sequel feeling like a hollow echo. Its predictable plot and lack of chemistry make it a pointless addition to a story that didn’t need continuing.

6. ‘Dumb and Dumber To’ (2014)

Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels return as Lloyd and Harry in this sequel to ‘Dumb and Dumber’ (1994), embarking on a road trip to find Harry’s daughter. The slapstick humor feels stuck in the ‘90s.

After 20 years, the comedy feels stale, relying on recycled gags that lack the original’s fresh absurdity. It’s a nostalgic cash-in that fails to justify its existence beyond reuniting the original cast.

5. ‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’ (2014)

This fourth ‘Transformers’ film introduces Mark Wahlberg as a new lead, with Optimus Prime fighting new threats. It follows the original trilogy, which already felt complete with Shia LaBeouf’s arc.

The bloated runtime and endless explosions can’t hide the lack of a compelling story. Made to keep the franchise alive after its stars moved on, it feels like a cynical attempt to squeeze more from a tired formula.

4. ‘American Psycho 2’ (2002)

This direct-to-video sequel shifts focus from Christian Bale’s Patrick Bateman to Mila Kunis as a criminology student obsessed with killing. It ties loosely to ‘American Psycho’ (2000) but feels disconnected.

The original’s dark satire is replaced with generic thriller tropes, wasting the potential of its cult classic predecessor. It’s a baffling cash grab that adds nothing to the sharp commentary of the first film.

3. ‘The Blair Witch Project 2: Book of Shadows’ (2000)

Following the groundbreaking ‘The Blair Witch Project’ (1999), this sequel follows tourists exploring the Blair Witch legend after watching the first film. It abandons the found-footage style for a meta approach.

The shift in tone and lack of scares betray what made the original terrifying. Released just a year later to capitalize on the first film’s success, it feels rushed and pointless, failing to capture the same eerie magic.

2. ‘Highlander II: The Quickening’ (1991)

This sequel to ‘Highlander’ (1986) turns Connor MacLeod into an alien from another planet, stripping away the mysticism of the original. Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery return, but the story is a mess.

The bizarre plot and poor effects make it a betrayal of the first film’s simple, epic charm. It’s a classic example of a sequel that overcomplicates a story that was better left alone.

1. ‘Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol’ (1987)

The fourth ‘Police Academy’ film sees the bumbling cops training civilians, leaning harder into slapstick than ever. By this point, the series had lost the charm of ‘Police Academy’ (1984).

The jokes are lazy, and the premise feels like a desperate attempt to keep the franchise going. It’s the pinnacle of unnecessary sequels, dragging a once-funny concept into repetitive, unfunny territory.

Which pointless sequel do you think tops this list, or did I miss one that deserves a spot? Drop your thoughts in the comments!