Buzz
Sequels are often criticized for lacking originality. They continue the storylines solely for profit, resulting in uninspired plots and poorly developed characters. This typically occurs when something is created out of necessity rather than passion. That said, some examples exemplify just how lazy the process can become.
Some sequels are nothing more than lazy reproductions of their predecessors. They may tweak the names or add grander set pieces, but the storylines remain uncannily similar. This pattern usually leads to diminishing returns, signaling that the filmmakers have exhausted their creative well. This stunts the series' growth. Though a few examples manage to succeed, they are overshadowed by the overall disappointments. True originality seems too much to hope for.
10. Die Hard 2: Die Harder (1990)
Fans bemoan the Die Hard franchise for transforming an everyday protagonist into an over-the-top superhero. In the original 1988 film, disgruntled cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) goes to visit his wife during Christmas. Unbeknownst to them, a group of terrorists take control of the building and hold hostages. McClane must navigate the complex, overcoming severe injuries to stop the villains and save the day. Little did he know, this would become a recurring theme.
Die Hard 2 once again unfolds during the holiday season. As McClane attempts to meet his wife at the airport, he witnesses the facility being overtaken by a group of criminals. In the midst of the chaos, the hero narrowly escapes the thugs and begins to eliminate them one by one. As with the previous installment, McClane relies on clever tactics to defy the impossible. This adventure further cements the film's Christmas association, though it simultaneously makes McClane harder to relate to, missing the core essence of his character.
9. The Hangover Part II (2011)
The charm of The Hangover (2009) lies in its unpredictability, but that surprise fades with time. The story follows three friends who reunite for a wedding, only to overindulge during the bachelor party. After a wild night, they wake up with no recollection of the events and a missing groom. As they retrace their chaotic steps, they uncover just how wild they were, yet they somehow don't learn from their mistakes.
The Hangover Part II takes the trio to yet another insane bachelor party, this time in Bangkok. After another wild night, they wake up with no memory and must piece together the events of the previous evening in hopes of finding their lost friend and making it to the wedding. This sequel either rehashes the same gags or ups the ante with even more absurdity. The series, it seems, would be better off staying sober.
8. Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (1992)
Christmas often plays a key role in sequels that seem all too familiar. Home Alone (1990) follows young Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin), who is fed up with his large family. He gets his wish when they accidentally leave him behind during a family vacation. With the house all to himself, he initially enjoys the solitude, but soon begins to miss his annoying relatives. In the midst of his loneliness, he must defend his home from a pair of bumbling burglars. The result is a quirky mix of heartfelt moments and slapstick chaos, and the sequel follows a similar path.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
7. The Incredibles 2 (2018)
Audiences praise The Incredibles (2004) for its fresh take on the superhero genre. In this world, superheroes are banned because of the massive destruction they cause. Mr. Incredible, now a disillusioned father, stumbles upon an opportunity to reclaim his former fame when a secretive organization reaches out to him for help. He embarks on covert missions for this shadowy group, unaware that their true intention is to eradicate superheroes completely. They won’t be the last to try and wipe out the supers.
The Incredibles 2 picks up with the continuation of the superhero ban, leaving the family without purpose. One day, an enigmatic company approaches them with a plan: send one of the family members back into the field and use the positive publicity to bring back legal superheroes. This time, it’s Mr. Incredible’s wife, Elastigirl, who takes on the role of active agent. Though she enjoys revisiting the thrill of her past exploits, the fun is short-lived when the company reveals its true agenda. The CEO’s sister plans to forever tarnish the public image of superheroes, ensuring they remain outlawed. Despite the plot's flaws, it essentially mirrors the first film, only with a gender-swapped twist.
6. Mary Poppins Returns (2018)
Mary Poppins (1964) brings to life a whimsical nanny who oversees two children neglected by their parents. With the aid of a cheerful chimney sweep, she guides them through an enchanting adventure of learning. The trio journeys across both the vibrant streets of 1910s London and into a fantastical world of 2D animation, enriching the oddball scenarios with numerous catchy tunes. Throughout, Mary (Julie Andrews) helps reunite the children with their parents, exuding the composed certainty of an experienced guide.
In the sequel, Mary Poppins Returns, the magical nanny’s wonders become a daily affair. The children from the original film are now parents themselves. Mary returns to mend their struggles through song and fantasy. As expected, her mission involves traveling through time and place, including live-action dance sequences and animated escapades. A new character, a lamplighter, replaces the previous chimney sweep, and the familiar rhythms of the original story play out once more, albeit in a less compelling way—like a beloved tune covered with less charm.
5. Escape from L.A. (1996)
What a missed opportunity! The original Escape from New York (1981) presented a dystopian world where the once-thriving city is now a lawless prison. The U.S. president finds himself trapped within this chaotic environment, and the only person capable of rescuing him is Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell), a soldier with a criminal record. If he succeeds, he earns a pardon. But in the sequel, that one-time redemption is completely disregarded.
Escape from L.A. cuts off Los Angeles from the rest of the United States. After the president imposes a series of draconian laws, the city becomes a convenient dumping ground for criminals and those unwilling to bow to the new order. Snake Plissken finds himself back in the criminal underworld, but he’s given one more shot at freedom by sneaking into the city to retrieve a stolen piece of technology. Predictably, this device is in the hands of the president’s daughter. Despite the sillier details, the mission and its reward remain unchanged.
4. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
In an effort to revitalize Star Wars, Disney revisits the elements that fans hold dear. The 1977 original—later known as Star Wars: A New Hope—introduces a galaxy ruled by a ruthless Empire. A young farm boy, Luke Skywalker, is drawn into the conflict when he receives a mysterious droid carrying crucial plans to the Empire’s devastating new weapon. Luke’s task is to deliver the droid to the Rebel Alliance, who must destroy the weapon. Along the way, an older mentor teaches Luke about his true heritage as a Jedi. The story follows the classic hero’s journey, but that doesn’t mean Disney should merely mimic it.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens moves the galaxy forward in time. Even though the Rebels triumphed in the original trilogy, the remnants of the Empire have regained control, wielding a new planet-destroying weapon. Rey, an unassuming scavenger, proves to be the key to success as she rescues the droid containing the weapon’s plans. With those plans, the Rebels can dismantle the Empire’s new destructive force. Meanwhile, Rey finds her own mentor, who introduces her to the larger universe of Jedi and the Force. The filmmakers clearly respect the original source material, perhaps a little too much.
3. Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
Avatar (2009) tells an alien tale with strong connections to earthly concerns. As humanity searches the cosmos for resources, explorers discover Pandora, a lush planet brimming with valuable minerals. Unsurprisingly, the forest-dwelling natives resist the exploitation of their sacred land. Enter Jake Sully, a soldier who is assigned to take over his brother’s alien avatar to persuade the locals to stand down. However, Jake soon feels more connected to these extraterrestrial creatures than his human counterparts, and he ends up aiding them in their fight against the invaders. Ultimately, it’s a high-budget version of Dances with Wolves, though the sequel leans even more heavily into its derivative elements.
Avatar: The Way of Water moves the story forward but remains rooted in the same basic premise. The humans return to Pandora in another attempt to exploit its resources, using avatar infiltrators to undermine the natives once again. Jake and his family, however, thwart their efforts yet again, leading to another clash between the natural world and the imperialistic colonizers. The main distinction in this sequel is the introduction of underwater natives instead of woodland ones. If anything, this film confirms that James Cameron enjoys recycling his old material in new sequels.
2. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
It’s rather fitting that a time-traveling franchise ends up recycling its own plots. James Cameron’s The Terminator (1984) focuses on a relentless chase centered around Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton). Her son, John, will one day lead humanity to victory in a war against intelligent machines. To prevent this future, the machines send a cyborg assassin back in time to eliminate Sarah from existence. In opposition, a human soldier is sent to protect Sarah. This setup sets the stage for a thrilling action-packed film where the human protagonists must evade a seemingly invincible foe. Sadly, good ideas lead to imitation, and there are plenty of close examples.
Most of the Terminator franchise follows a familiar pattern, largely repeating the setup of the first film. Cameron essentially remakes his original in Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Sure, the assassin is a more advanced machine, and the protector is now a reprogrammed robot, but the story progresses in much the same way, with both time-traveling figures meeting their end. The subsequent sequels largely stick to this formula, making small tweaks but preserving the same narrative structure. The exceptions to this formula are Terminator Salvation and The Sarah Connor Chronicles, though the rest might as well be part of an endless time loop. And speaking of James Cameron…
1. Desperado (1995)
The humble origins of El Mariachi (1992) gave rise to a larger-than-life sequel. This low-budget gem tells the story of a hapless guitarist who becomes the target of drug dealers after a mix-up. Armed with a guitar case filled with guns, he must quickly learn the ways of survival, or perish. Along the way, he finds love, but both she and his livelihood are destroyed by the very criminals chasing him. The film culminates in a dramatic showdown at the villains' luxurious villa. Directed by Robert Rodriguez, El Mariachi’s tight budget didn’t hinder its thrilling success, launching Rodriguez’s career.
Rodriguez used his newfound success to craft Desperado, a sequel where the guitar-wielding hero continues his pursuit of the crime lord behind the drug empire. With his arsenal now at his side, the protagonist mows down the criminals hunting him. His violent personal war eventually leads him to love again, offering him some solace. However, his desire for vengeance remains strong, culminating in a final confrontation at another posh villa. While the premise may seem familiar, Rodriguez elevates it with blockbuster-scale action and skillful direction, proving few can remake their own work as effectively as he does here.
