The 15 Worst Action Movie Sequels Ever, Ranked

Action movie sequels often promise bigger explosions and bolder stakes, but some crash hard, failing to capture the original’s magic. Whether it’s a lazy script, missing stars, or just plain bad choices, these follow-ups left fans frustrated and critics unimpressed.

I’ve ranked the 15 worst action movie sequels based on how far they fall from their predecessors, factoring in weak execution, wasted potential, and audience letdown. From soulless cash grabs to baffling misfires, these films show what happens when action goes wrong. Each entry digs into why they flopped and why they rank where they do.

15. Taken 3 (2014)

Liam Neeson’s Bryan Mills is back, dodging accusations of murder in this third Taken outing. Olivier Megaton directs, but the shaky-cam action and thin plot dilute the original’s tight thrills.

With a 13% Rotten Tomatoes score, it’s a tired rehash with none of the first film’s urgency. The lack of a compelling kidnapping and overdone chases make it a forgettable slog.

14. The Expendables 3 (2014)

Sylvester Stallone’s aging mercenaries return with new faces like Wesley Snipes, but the PG-13 rating guts the gritty vibe. Patrick Hughes directs a bloated, messy mission.

The 31% Rotten Tomatoes score reflects its watered-down action and weak villain. It’s a chaotic letdown that trades the series’ raw charm for forgettable CGI explosions.

13. Rambo: Last Blood (2019)

Stallone’s John Rambo fights a Mexican cartel to save a kidnapped girl. Adrian Grünberg directs, but the grim tone and thin story feel like a betrayal of the character’s legacy.

With a 26% Rotten Tomatoes score, the brutal action lacks the heart of earlier films. It’s a violent but hollow send-off that fans didn’t deserve.

12. Die Hard: A Good Day to Die Hard (2013)

Bruce Willis’ John McClane teams with his son in Russia, but John Moore’s direction swaps wit for generic chaos. The father-son dynamic feels forced, and the plot is a mess.

Earning a 15% Rotten Tomatoes score, it lacks the charm and tight action of the original Die Hard. It’s a soulless cash grab that tarnishes an iconic franchise.

11. Terminator Genisys (2015)

Arnold Schwarzenegger returns as a rebooted T-800 in a time-twisted mess, with Emilia Clarke as Sarah Connor. Alan Taylor’s film tries to restart the Terminator saga but stumbles.

The convoluted timeline and weak stakes earn a 26% Rotten Tomatoes score. Despite Arnie’s charm, it’s a forgettable detour that confuses more than it thrills.

10. Predator 2 (1990)

Danny Glover replaces Schwarzenegger in this urban sequel, hunting a Predator in 1997 Los Angeles. Stephen Hopkins directs, but the gritty shift lacks the original’s jungle terror.

With a 30% Rotten Tomatoes score, the action feels repetitive, and Glover can’t match Arnie’s presence. It’s a bold try but a letdown for fans of the first.

9. Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997)

Sandra Bullock returns without Keanu Reeves in this waterbound sequel, where a cruise ship faces a mad bomber. Jan de Bont’s film swaps a bus for a sluggish boat.

The 4% Rotten Tomatoes score nails its absurd plot and lack of tension. Bullock tries, but without Keanu’s spark, it’s a sinking ship of a sequel.

8. Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)

Michael Bay’s fifth Transformers film has Mark Wahlberg chasing a medieval artifact. The bloated plot and endless CGI chaos drown any sense of fun from the original.

With a 15% Rotten Tomatoes score, it’s a loud, incoherent mess. The overdone explosions and weak story make it a low point in the franchise.

7. Alien: Resurrection (1997)

Sigourney Weaver’s cloned Ripley faces xenomorphs on a spaceship, directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. The quirky tone and messy script clash with the series’ horror roots.

Earning a 31% Rotten Tomatoes score, it wastes Weaver’s grit with cartoonish villains and odd choices. It’s a bizarre misstep for the Alien legacy.

6. RoboCop 3 (1993)

Robert Burke replaces Peter Weller as RoboCop, fighting a corporate takeover in Detroit. Fred Dekker’s film aims for satire but feels cheap and uninspired.

With a 3% Rotten Tomatoes score, the action lacks impact, and the PG-13 tone betrays the original’s edge. It’s a soulless sequel that forgets what made RoboCop iconic.

5. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

Harrison Ford’s Indy returns with Shia LaBeouf in a 1950s alien adventure. Steven Spielberg directs, but the CGI-heavy action and goofy plot alienate fans.

The 78% Rotten Tomatoes score is generous for its fridge-nuking lows and weak villain. It’s a nostalgic misfire that tarnishes Indy’s whip-cracking legacy.

4. Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)

Christopher Reeve’s Superman tackles nuclear disarmament, but budget cuts and a preachy script sink the film. Sidney J. Furie directs a noble but flawed effort.

With a 12% Rotten Tomatoes score, the cheap effects and thin story fail Reeve’s charm. It’s a well-meaning but embarrassing end to the classic series.

3. Jaws: The Revenge (1987)

The Brody family faces a vengeful shark in this fourth Jaws film, without Spielberg’s touch. Joseph Sargent directs a laughably bad plot with no original cast except Lorraine Gary.

The 0% Rotten Tomatoes score says it all—absurd shark roars and shoddy effects ruin the legacy. It’s a baffling low point for a once-great franchise.

2. Highlander II: The Quickening (1991)

Christopher Lambert’s immortal Connor MacLeod battles aliens in a dystopian future, tossing out the original’s mythology. Russell Mulcahy’s sequel is a chaotic disaster.

With a 0% Rotten Tomatoes score, the nonsensical plot and cheap effects baffled fans. It’s a bewildering betrayal of the first film’s sword-swinging charm.

1. Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)

Though technically a ’70s film, this Exorcist sequel earns its spot for its sheer awfulness, often cited as a cautionary tale for action-horror follow-ups. John Boorman directs Linda Blair facing a demonic relapse.

With an 11% Rotten Tomatoes score, the convoluted mysticism and lack of scares make it a trainwreck. It’s the ultimate letdown, failing to honor the original’s chilling legacy.

Which of these action sequels disappointed you the most, or is there another flop that deserves a spot? Share your thoughts in the comments!