Since D. W. Griffith’s 1915 “The Birth of a Nation” was followed by “The Fall of a Nation” just one year later, movie sequels have been a Hollywood standard. Movie sequels are made in order to capitalize on an initial film’s success, and today nearly every successful Hollywood release has its own franchise.
The logic from a financial perspective is clear: a studio that can establish a fanbase to a franchise rather than a single film can practically guarantee future profits. Furthermore, audiences have made it clear they will grant loyalty to film series.
24/7 Wall St. has identified the 25 best and 25 worst movie sequels based on metrics such as box office gross and online ratings. All but five of the best grossed over $100 million at the domestic box office, conversely only one of the worst surpassed that benchmark.
George Lucas’ 1977 “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” is one of the earliest examples of a major Hollywood blockbuster to generate a hugely successful film franchise in its wake. The first film, “A New Hope,” made $786 million at the worldwide box office — the highest grossing film ever at the time of its release. The series — under which nine films have so far been released — has earned over $7.6 billion worldwide — one of the top-earning franchises in all of movie history.
Click here to see the worst movie sequels.
Click here to see the best movie sequels.
Click here to see our methodology.
Since the success of Star Wars, studios have found success with a number of other film series, such as those based on the books by J. K. Rowling and J. R. R. Tolkien. Nearly every popular superhero movie is followed up by sequels, including those about Spider-man, Batman, and the X-Men. Sequels for children’s films such as “Shrek” and “Despicable Me” are also highly popular.
The Worst Sequels
25. A Haunted House 2
> Release year: 2014
> Average user rating: 5.6/10
> Average critic rating: 2.0/10
> Domestic box office: $18.8 million
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Source: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox
24. Speed 2: Cruise Control
> Release year: 1997
> Average user rating: 4.3/10
> Average critic rating: 3.4/10
> Domestic box office: $93.1 million
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
23. Return to the Blue Lagoon
> Release year: 1991
> Average user rating: 5.4/10
> Average critic rating: 2.2/10
> Domestic box office: $5.9 million
Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
22. Species II
> Release year: 1998
> Average user rating: 4.5/10
> Average critic rating: 3.1/10
> Domestic box office: $36.3 million
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21. Jaws 3-D
> Release year: 1983
> Average user rating: 4.6/10
> Average critic rating: 2.9/10
> Domestic box office: $119.1 million
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
20. Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol
> Release year: 1987
> Average user rating: 5.2/10
> Average critic rating: 2.3/10
> Domestic box office: $63.8 million
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Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
19. Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2
> Release year: 2015
> Average user rating: 5.0/10
> Average critic rating: 2.5/10
> Domestic box office: $74.9 million
Source: Courtesy of Artisan Entertainment
18. Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2
> Release year: 2000
> Average user rating: 4.1/10
> Average critic rating: 3.4/10
> Domestic box office: $43.6 million
Source: Courtesy of New Line Cinema
17. Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd
> Release year: 2003
> Average user rating: 4.6/10
> Average critic rating: 2.8/10
> Domestic box office: $38.5 million
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Source: Courtesy of Orion Pictures
16. RoboCop 3
> Release year: 1993
> Average user rating: 4.4/10
> Average critic rating: 3.1/10
> Domestic box office: $23.0 million
Source: Courtesy of TriStar Pictures
15. Look Who’s Talking Now
> Release year: 1993
> Average user rating: 4.9/10
> Average critic rating: 2.5/10
> Domestic box office: $22.2 million
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Source: Courtesy of Sony Pictures
14. Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation
> Release year: 1994
> Average user rating: 4.3/10
> Average critic rating: 3.2/10
> Domestic box office: $191,411
13. Scary Movie 5
> Release year: 2013
> Average user rating: 5.4/10
> Average critic rating: 2.0/10
> Domestic box office: $35.0 million
Source: Courtesy of Bounty Films
12. The Human Centipede II (Full Sequence)
> Release year: 2011
> Average user rating: 4.0/10
> Average critic rating: 3.4/10
> Domestic box office: $134,527
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Source: Courtesy of TriStar Pictures
11. Weekend at Bernies II
> Release year: 1993
> Average user rating: 4.8/10
> Average critic rating: 2.5/10
> Domestic box office: $27.4 million
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
10. Problem Child 2
> Release year: 1991
> Average user rating: 4.8/10
> Average critic rating: 2.4/10
> Domestic box office: $53.0 million
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Source: Courtesy of TriStar Pictures
9. Universal Soldier: The Return
> Release year: 1999
> Average user rating: 4.5/10
> Average critic rating: 2.7/10
> Domestic box office: $18.3 million
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
8. Cannonball Run II
> Release year: 1984
> Average user rating: 5.2/10
> Average critic rating: 2.0/10
> Domestic box office: $74.3 million
7. Piranha 3DD
> Release year: 2012
> Average user rating: 4.0/10
> Average critic rating: 3.2/10
> Domestic box office: $413,229
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Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
6. Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
> Release year: 1987
> Average user rating: 4.4/10
> Average critic rating: 2.8/10
> Domestic box office: $35.7 million
Source: Courtesy of New Line Cinema
5. Mortal Kombat: Annihilation
> Release year: 1997
> Average user rating: 4.6/10
> Average critic rating: 2.4/10
> Domestic box office: $69.6 million
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Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
4. Caddyshack II
> Release year: 1988
> Average user rating: 4.3/10
> Average critic rating: 2.2/10
> Domestic box office: $25.5 million
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
3. Jaws: The Revenge
> Release year: 1987
> Average user rating: 4.3/10
> Average critic rating: 2.0/10
> Domestic box office: $47.2 million
Source: Courtesy of New Line Cinema
2. Son of the Mask
> Release year: 2005
> Average user rating: 3.0/10
> Average critic rating: 2.8/10
> Domestic box office: $23.6 million
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Source: Courtesy of Triumph Films
1. Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2
> Release year: 2004
> Average user rating: 2.4/10
> Average critic rating: 2.2/10
> Domestic box office: $13.0 million
The Best Sequels
25. Star Trek Into Darkness
> Release year: 2013
> Average user rating: 8.1/10
> Average critic rating: 7.5/10
> Domestic box office: $250.1 million
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Source: Courtesy of Miramax Films
24. Kill Bill: Vol. 2
> Release year: 2004
> Average user rating: 7.8/10
> Average critic rating: 7.7/10
> Domestic box office: $94.8 million
Source: Courtesy of Lionsgate
23. Evil Dead II
> Release year: 1987
> Average user rating: 7.7/10
> Average critic rating: 8.0/10
> Domestic box office: $13.5 million
Source: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox
22. X-Men: Days of Future Past
> Release year: 2014
> Average user rating: 8.2/10
> Average critic rating: 7.5/10
> Domestic box office: $254.5 million
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Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
21. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
> Release year: 2004
> Average user rating: 7.7/10
> Average critic rating: 7.9/10
> Domestic box office: $357.0 million
Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
20. Toy Story 2
> Release year: 1999
> Average user rating: 7.3/10
> Average critic rating: 8.6/10
> Domestic box office: $430.2 million
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19. How to Train Your Dragon 2
> Release year: 2014
> Average user rating: 8.1/10
> Average critic rating: 7.8/10
> Domestic box office: $192.6 million
Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
18. Skyfall
> Release year: 2012
> Average user rating: 8.0/10
> Average critic rating: 8.2/10
> Domestic box office: $339.9 million
Source: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox
17. Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
> Release year: 1983
> Average user rating: 8.3/10
> Average critic rating: 7.2/10
> Domestic box office: $872.4 million
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Source: Courtesy of Warner Independent Pictures
16. Before Sunset
> Release year: 2004
> Average user rating: 8.1/10
> Average critic rating: 8.3/10
> Domestic box office: $8.3 million
Source: Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
15. Before Midnight
> Release year: 2013
> Average user rating: 7.9/10
> Average critic rating: 8.7/10
> Domestic box office: $8.9 million
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Source: Wikimedia Commons
14. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
> Release year: 2015
> Average user rating: 8.2/10
> Average critic rating: 8.2/10
> Domestic box office: $987.7 million
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
13. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
> Release year: 1989
> Average user rating: 8.1/10
> Average critic rating: 7.9/10
> Domestic box office: $441.5 million
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
12. Bride of Frankenstein
> Release year: 1935
> Average user rating: 7.8/10
> Average critic rating: 9.1/10
> Domestic box office: N/A
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11. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
> Release year: 2003
> Average user rating: 7.5/10
> Average critic rating: 8.7/10
> Domestic box office: $555.8 million
10. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
> Release year: 2011
> Average user rating: 8.3/10
> Average critic rating: 8.3/10
> Domestic box office: $427.1 million
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Source: Courtesy of TriStar Pictures
9. Terminator 2: Judgment Day
> Release year: 1991
> Average user rating: 8.1/10
> Average critic rating: 8.4/10
> Domestic box office: $432.5 million
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
8. The Bourne Ultimatum
> Release year: 2007
> Average user rating: 8.2/10
> Average critic rating: 8.0/10
> Domestic box office: $293.5 million
7. The Dark Knight Rises
> Release year: 2012
> Average user rating: 8.5/10
> Average critic rating: 8.0/10
> Domestic box office: $500.5 million
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Source: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox
6. Aliens
> Release year: 1986
> Average user rating: 8.0/10
> Average critic rating: 9.0/10
> Domestic box office: $204.2 million
Source: Courtesy of New Line Cinema
5. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
> Release year: 2002
> Average user rating: 8.4/10
> Average critic rating: 8.5/10
> Domestic box office: $521.0 million
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Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
4. Toy Story 3
> Release year: 2010
> Average user rating: 8.5/10
> Average critic rating: 8.9/10
> Domestic box office: $467.6 million
Source: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox
3. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
> Release year: 1980
> Average user rating: 8.5/10
> Average critic rating: 8.9/10
> Domestic box office: $958.9 million
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
2. The Dark Knight
> Release year: 2008
> Average user rating: 8.9/10
> Average critic rating: 8.6/10
> Domestic box office: $660.3 million
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Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
1. The Godfather: Part II
> Release year: 1974
> Average user rating: 8.9/10
> Average critic rating: 9.5/10
> Domestic box office: $272.4 million
Methodology
To determine the best and worst movie sequels, 24/7 Wall St. created an index based on each film’s Rotten Tomatoes average critic rating, Rotten Tomatoes average audience rating, and Internet Movie Database average user rating. To be considered, each film needed to have at least 5,000 Rotten Tomatoes user ratings, 10 approved Tomatometer critic reviews, and 10,000 IMDb user ratings.
We averaged the user ratings from Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb and weighted by the number of votes for each. The combined user rating was then averaged with the Rotten Tomatoes critic rating.
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