The 25 Worst Movie Sequels of All Time

Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” (1975) has a near-perfect Freshness rating of 98% and is credited for revolutionizing the blockbuster movie system. The series’ third entry, “Jaws 3-D,” was liked by only 12% of critics, by contrast. Its scathing Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus describes the shark flick as “a cheese-soaked ocean thriller with no evident reason to exist.”

An exceptional 94% of critics reviewing the original “Superman” (1978) on Rotten Tomatoes liked it. The series’ fourth film, “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” (1987), won over just 11% of critics and 16% of viewers — despite actors Christopher Reeve and Gene Hackman reprising their roles. The superhero would not be the subject of another major live action film until “Superman Returns” in 2006.

Compared to the sequel, the original “Mortal Kombat” (1995) film, inspired by the video game of the same name, was relatively well received thanks to its atmosphere and effects. However, only 2% of critics and a quarter of audience members on Rotten Tomatoes liked its sequel. The site’s Critics Consensus faults the “shallow characters, low budget special effects, and mindless fight scenes.”

Commentary-laden action flick “Robocop” (1987) pleased 90% of critics and 84% of audiences who reviewed it on Rotten Tomatoes. “RoboCop 3” (1993) managed to please just 6% of critics and 14% of viewers reviewing it. The sequel is accused of being brutally boring, illogical, and stupid.

Boasting the acting talent of Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, and Sandra Bullock, “Speed” (1995) has an exceptional 94% Freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Bullock is the only one who returned for the sequel flop, “Speed 2: Cruise Control” (1997), which was liked by only 4% of critics. The movie replaces the original’s speeding bus with a cruise ship that is similarly forced to maintain a high speed.