We can all think of a few great films that left such a lasting impact we wish they stayed as they were. But Hollywood loves a good business sequel, and sometimes, that follow-up takes what was once gold and turns it into something… well, a lot less shiny. From Joker 2 to other big-screen flops, below, six sequels that remind us that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
‘Joker 2: Folie a Deux’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes Ranking: 33%
Rotten Tomatoes Synopsis: “‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ finds Arthur Fleck institutionalized at Arkham awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker. While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur not only stumbles upon true love, but also finds the music that’s always been inside him.“
Our Take: A comic book movie turns into a musical courthouse drama. That’s it, that’s the joke.
‘Men in Black: International’ (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes Ranking: 23%
Rotten Tomatoes Synopsis: ” The Men in Black have expanded to cover the globe but so have the villains of the universe. To keep everyone safe, decorated Agent H and determined rookie M join forces — an unlikely pairing that just might work. When aliens that can take the form of any human arrive on Earth, H and M embark on a globe-trotting adventure to save the agency — and ultimately the world — from their mischievous plans.”
Our Take: All I’m saying is that Will Smith could’ve saved that slap for someone else…
‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales’ (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes Ranking: 30%
Rotten Tomatoes Synopsis: “Thrust into an all-new adventure, a down-on-his-luck Capt. Jack Sparrow feels the winds of ill-fortune blowing even more strongly when deadly ghost sailors led by his old nemesis, the evil Capt. Salazar, escape from the Devil’s Triangle. Jack’s only hope of survival lies in seeking out the legendary Trident of Poseidon, but to find it, he must forge an uneasy alliance with a brilliant and beautiful astronomer and a headstrong young man in the British navy.”
Our Take: The best part of the film was when it ended.
‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes Ranking: 26%
Rotten Tomatoes Synopsis: “When LeBron James and his young son Dom are trapped in a digital space by a rogue A.I., LeBron must get them home safe by leading Bugs, Lola Bunny and the whole gang of notoriously undisciplined Looney Tunes to victory over the A.I.’s digitized champions on the court: a powered-up roster of professional basketball stars as you’ve never seen them before. It’s Tunes versus Goons in the highest-stakes challenge of his life, that will redefine LeBron’s bond with his son and shine a light on the power of being yourself.”
Our Take: If you ask us, the movie was just a 2-hour-long commercial for HBO Max.
‘Titanic II’ (2010)
Rotten Tomatoes Ranking: 15%
Rotten Tomatoes Synopsis: “History threatens to repeat itself when a new luxury liner sets sail to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the original’s doomed voyage.”
Our Take: “Why even bother? The boat’s in Poseidon’s yard already, what’s there to make a movie about?
‘American Psycho 2: All American Girl’ (2002)
Rotten Tomatoes Ranking: 11%
Rotten Tomatoes Synopsis: “Rachel (Mila Kunis) is a criminology student hoping to land a position as a teacher’s assistant for professor Robert Starkman (William Shatner). She’s sure this position will pave the way to an FBI career, and she’s willing to do anything to obtain it—including killing her classmates. The school psychiatrist, Dr. Daniels (Geraint Wyn Davies), becomes aware that Rachel is insane, but Rachel is skilled at her dangerous game of death and identity theft.”
Our Take:Trying to compare this film to the original is pointless because the only thing they have in common is the title.
BONUS: ‘Wonder Woman’ (the whole saga)
Rotten Tomatoes Ranking: 83% (???)
Rotten Tomatoes Synopsis: “Before she was Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, Diana meets an American pilot (Chris Pine) who tells her about the massive conflict that’s raging in the outside world. Convinced that she can stop the threat, Diana leaves her home for the first time. Fighting alongside men in a war to end all wars, she finally discovers her full powers and true destiny.”
Our Take: This is not a Gal Gadot-friendly space.
