10 Movie Franchises That Should've Stopped After the First One
I bet you, too, can name a few right away.
Film sequels and franchise extensions are a tricky business. Some are cinematic masterpieces, expanding the universe and deepening our connection with beloved characters.
However, there are others, sigh, where the journey beyond the first installment is a meandering trek through mediocrity, repetitive plots, and tired clichés.
1. Jaws (1975)
Let's start with a classic. Jaws is an undeniable masterpiece, an unparalleled mix of suspense and horror that terrified a generation out of the water. However, did we really need Jaws 2, Jaws 3-D, and heavens forbid, Jaws: The Revenge? With each sequel, the once-fearsome shark became laughably predictable and the plots, implausibly absurd. This franchise definitely jumped the shark after the first one.
2. The Hangover (2009)
The Hangover was fresh, outrageous, and unapologetically raucous. It gave us a gloriously funny and unexpected ride through a Vegas bachelor party gone horribly wrong. However, the subsequent outings felt like bad hangovers themselves, each more painful than the last, endlessly rehashing the same storyline with diminishing comedic returns. This is one party that should've ended sooner.
3. Transformers ( 2007)
I'll concede that the first Transformers film was a fun, action-packed spectacle. Giant robots, thrilling battles, and a dash of nostalgia? Sign me up! However, as the sequels churned out, the awe-inspiring robots felt more like background noise to convoluted plots and underdeveloped characters. Transformers, it seems, transformed from a promising franchise into a mindless special effects showcase.
4. Home Alone ( 1990)
Home Alone is a delightful mix of comedy, Christmas cheer, and a surprisingly competent 8-year-old outwitting burglars. But as the sequels stacked up, with each new iteration somehow managing to forget another kid during the holidays, the charm faded, and the plots became painfully redundant. The series seriously should've ended before Kevin McCallister turned into a one-boy anti-burglary unit.
5. Pirates of the Caribbean ( 2003)
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was a fun, swashbuckling adventure, giving us the unforgettable character of Captain Jack Sparrow. However, with each new addition to the franchise, the plots became as convoluted as a pirate's knot, and Captain Jack's charm started to wear thin. Surprisingly enough, it seems that Pirates of the Caribbean is not entirely dead yet even in 2023: rumor has it, Disney 's still working on adding yet another sequel to the franchise, after the whole let's make a spinoff starring Margot Robbie idea never amounted to anything after all.
6. Jurassic Park (1993)
The original Jurassic Park was a groundbreaking cinematic experience, blending suspense, action, and cutting-edge special effects. But as the sequels and reboots have shown, perhaps some things, like dinosaurs and original movie concepts, should remain extinct. The franchise lost its bite with each new outing, proving that the park should have been closed after its first disastrous (yet thrilling) run.
7. Indiana Jones ( 1981)
Don't get me wrong. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark was a thrilling adventure film that perfectly blended action, humor, and mythology. However, as we ventured into crystal skull territory, the charm of the original was lost among aliens and atomic bomb-resistant fridges. Indy should have hung up his whip after the first adventure. Now we'll just have to wait and see what's going to happen in the final (everyone swears it's totally final this time!) installment, premiering June 30, 2023.
8. The Matrix ( 1999)
The Matrix blew our minds with its groundbreaking visuals, thought-provoking themes, and stylized action. Unfortunately, the sequels wandered too far down the rabbit hole, trading the original's philosophical depth for over-the-top action and convoluted narratives. We love you, Neo, but we wish you had taken the blue pill after the first film.
9. Die Hard (1988)
Die Hard is a quintessential action movie. However, the sequels felt like increasingly absurd variations of the original, turning the once-relatable John McClane into an invincible superhero. Let's face it, not every Christmas needs a Die Hard sequel.
10. The Terminator ( 1984)
The first Terminator was a superb mix of sci-fi and action, and while the second installment is just as beloved, the subsequent sequels have failed to capture the magic of the originals. Perhaps it's time for this franchise to be terminated.