20 Movies You Probably Forgot Had Sequels

The world of filmmaking is a cutthroat business, but one that has consumed artists of all kinds since its inception. Many believe that they can break through and turn the industry on its head, before inevitably facing the harsh reality that they just can’t compare themselves to the greats before them. Some, however, present their diamond in the rough and reap the rewards for it. Instead of riding that high and accepting their well-deserved acclaim, they decided to rock the boat.

While some creators outright disassociated from the studios’ propositions of any continuation of their intellectual property (and rightfully so), some slipped through the cracks by way of shoddy direct-to-video sequels or theatrical releases with an unnecessarily large budget. Of course, critics and fans of the source material wouldn’t let these big-screen blunders go by without their fair share of justified backlash. These now-forgotten sequels serve as proof that you absolutely can have too much of a good thing.

20 Caddyshack (1980)

In the summer of 1980, Doug Kenney, Brian Doyle-Murray, and Harold Ramis concocted a project based on the Murray brothers’ respective experiences working at the local country club. Despite the film’s obvious technical flaws (mostly due to this being Ramis’ first foray as a director), Caddyshack was released to tepid reviews but has become looked upon more favorably due to the improvised performances of its stellar comedic talents.

This serves as the last screenwriting credit for Kenney before his unfortunate demise later that same year. Needless to say, he would be sorely disappointed if he knew the eventual fate of his property.

A Swing and a Miss

The arguable breakout star of Caddyshack was stand-up comedian, Rodney Dangerfield, so the next logical step in the eyes of Warner Bros. executives was a sequel with Dangerfield’s character, Al Czervik, at the center. As production on Caddyshack II progressed, both Dangerfield and screenwriter Harold Ramis began to lose faith in the project and stepped away entirely.

The only returning cast member was Chevy Chase, though he made it abundantly clear to his supporting cast that he was paid handsomely to do so. As suspected, the project was a critical and financial failure, and a poor attempt to capitalize on a one-of-a-kind sports comedy. Rent Caddyshack II on Apple TV.

19 The Blues Brothers (1980)

Saturday Night Live has established itself as a powerhouse of sketch comedy, with performers such as Eddie Murphy, Jason Sudeikis, and Kate McKinnon finding their stride in 30 Rockefeller Plaza long before garnering mainstream acclaim. A biopic centered around SNL‘s initial cast, SNL 1975, is in the works, with Matt Wood and Dylan O’Brien portraying John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, respectively. Many sketches have been adapted into feature films, but very few achieved the notoriety that The Blues Brothers had upon its release in 1980. It seemed unlikely that a follow-up would come to fruition without John Belushi, but Aykroyd and director John Landis felt otherwise.

An Unnecessary Encore

Blues Brothers 2000 presents itself as a tribute to the late John Belushi, but with the project being released nearly 15 years after his death, it made the project feel like nothing more than a tasteless cash grab. Aykroyd reprises his role as Elwood J. Blues, with nods to Belushi’s character, “Joliet” Jake Blues, sprinkled throughout the film.

This was not necessarily Aykroyd’s, or even Belushi’s spiritual successor, John Goodman’s fault, but more so that of Universal Studios, who felt the film should be PG (as opposed to the original’s R-Rating), and believed it was imperative to introduce a child Elwood could mentor throughout the film. There were many aspects of the project that just simply didn’t work, but calling it a “tribute” is especially shameful. Rent Blues Brothers 2000 on Apple TV.

18 American Psycho (2000)

American Psycho was notable for many things. Drawing inspiration from Bret Easton Ellis’ novel of the same name, Mary Harron’s depiction of a sociopathic investment banker with a secret double-life launched Christian Bale into the mainstream with his charming personality and ability to transition into a truly frightening individual with a lack of self-control. The film equally blended elements of humor and horror in an arthouse package, and has left audiences divided since its inception. Ellis never followed up on his bestselling novel, even after it had been adapted to the big screen, but that didn’t deter Lionsgate from releasing a sequel of their own.

American Girl in Bateman’s World

American Psycho II: All American Girl (initially entitled The Girl Who Wouldn’t Die) was conceived as an original screenplay with no real connection to the narrative of its predecessor. Lacking most of the characteristics that made Mary Haron’s depiction so unique and engaging, American Psycho 2 presents itself as a typical revenge slasher akin to those commonly released during the 1980s. Aside from the title, the only significant connection to American Psycho was a flimsy explanation of a run-in Mila Kunis’ character, Rachael Newman, had with Patrick Bateman as a child that “changed her life”.

Ultimately, even if the project had maintained its original title, it wouldn’t make this dumpster fire an Oscar contender. Still, the sheer fact that it bears any connection at all to the original was a slap in the face to audiences, as well as those involved with the making of Mary Harron’s masterpiece. Rent American Psycho II: All American Girl on Apple TV.

17 Trainspotting (1996)

Danny Boyle has become one of the most credible directors of this generation. With films dating back to the early ’90s and plans to expand on his 28 Days franchise, it’s not surprising that he could depict such a compelling yet comedic story about coping with sobriety when adapting Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting. The project put Ewan McGregor on the map and received immense acclaim from critics and fans for its accurate portrayal of heroin recovery. Irvine Welsh wrote a follow-up to Trainspotting entitled Porno, set 10 years after the events of the first installment, but, arguably, that one should have remained solely on the printed page.

An Unfortunate Relapse

T2 Trainspotting took certain liberties in adapting Irvine Welsh’s source material, most of which highlight just how redundant this sequel truly is. Danny Boyle didn’t feel Porno was an appropriate successor to the world he was building (making that known long before production of the sequel went underway) and ultimately went his own way with the story. Despite this, T2 Trainspotting was released to mostly positive reviews, and Danny Boyle continues to express interest in expanding the franchise well beyond Irvine Welsh’s novels. While T2 Trainspotting isn’t an inherently bad movie, it feels like too little, too late. Rent T2 Trainspotting on Apple TV.

16 Darkman (1990)

Before Sam Raimi took the helm of Sony’s Spider-Man franchise in the early 2000s, he was recognized for his efforts as an Indie filmmaker. Evil Dead and Evil Dead 2 were met with equal praise and backlash for their over-the-top gore factor with elements of Three Stooges inspiration sprinkled in for comedic effect. Raimi, however, never really wanted to be known for his work in the horror genre.

He soon expressed interest in making a movie based on Batman or The Shadow, but, unable to secure the rights to those properties, opted to create an original character with Darkman. The project accumulated a cult following, and Universal felt the next logical step was to launch a television series based on the character, to no avail. Without Raimi’s continued involvement and very little financial backing, Darkman‘s fate was in the hands of the direct-to-video market.

A Victim of the Direct-to-Video Fad

The Darkman franchise spawned not one, but two direct-to-video sequels based on Raimi’s work (both of which he had little to no involvement in). The first sequel was aptly titled Darkman II: The Return of Durant, with Larry Drake reprising his role as Durant from the first film. Arnold Vosloo takes over for Darkman‘s original lead, Liam Neeson, in Darkman II as well as in Darkman III: Die Darkman Die, and in the context of the original film’s ending, actually made perfect sense for the ongoing narrative. While those involved did the best they could with what they were given, these sequels just couldn’t replicate what made Sam Raimi’s initial effort so special. Rent Darkman II and Darkman III on Starz with Apple TV.

15 Basic Instinct (1992)

In 1992, Paul Verhoeven’s Basic Instinct captivated and divided audiences for its controversial depiction of overt sexuality and unique approach to the neo-noir genre. Amidst behind-the-scenes conflicts during production and numerous script rewrites, Sharon Stone signed on to portray crime novelist, Catherine Tramell, after many notable actresses declined to take on the contentious role.

The project continues to be discussed at length by critics and fans alike, and alternate versions of the film have been released in various forms of media since its inception. While the original Basic Instinct was without a doubt influential for the genre, its legacy was tarnished by a lackluster sequel that didn’t need to happen.

Poor Instincts

Production for Basic Instinct 2 had been underway since the early 2000s (already a bit of a stretch considering the original’s 1992 release date) before being canceled outright in 2001. Sharon Stone had made previous arrangements with MGM to receive a hefty payout, regardless if the project was released or not. Many who worked on the film cited Stone’s egotistical attitude as a frequent point of contention during the sequel’s production, including director Michael Caton-Jones, who later admitted working with her was “a painful experience”.

For whatever reason, Stone had a significant say in which male actors should be cast opposite to her, as well as who would be involved with the production. Following the abysmal ratings Basic Instinct 2 rightfully received, Sharon Stone had stated that she would be open to returning to the franchise, but this time in the director’s chair. Hopefully, this time, she will come to her senses and focus on other business ventures. Stream Basic Instinct 2 on Showtime.

14 Cabin Fever (2002)

Many modern horror movie directors have credited Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead trilogy as inspiration for their work, most notably Eli Roth. From his humble beginnings as a production assistant on Howard Stern’s Private Parts, Roth set out to release his love letter to Raimi’s iconic franchise with Cabin Fever.

The project paid homage to Raimi’s initial efforts while telling a unique and hilarious modern take on the formula. Cabin Fever initially drew mixed acclaim from critics but has since garnered a cult following, with directors such as Peter Jackson and Quentin Tarantino expressing their admiration for Roth’s first foray into the genre. Long before his work on X and Pearl, director Ti West was tasked with taking the helm of Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever, a project that he disowns to this day.

Blood on the Dance Floor

In the first of two sequels (and an eventual reboot), Cabin Fever 2 has little connection to the events of the first film but does feature a cameo appearance from Cabin Fever‘s original lead, Rider Strong that is so bizarre and unnecessary that it should have just remained on the cutting room floor. The sequel adopts the flesh-eating virus storyline from the original, this time in a prom setting with an entirely new cast. Production for the sequel proved to be a tumultuous experience, with Ti West citing excessive creative interference as a frequent issue.

There have been four total installments to the franchise, with the last one being a shot-for-shot remake of the original. No announcements have been made regarding further installments of Cabin Fever, but with a series of lackluster attempts to capitalize on the original, it’s safe to assume the franchise will continue to lie dormant.

13 The Mask (1994)

Long before Jim Carrey donned the green mask and yellow suit, The Mask was a violent and dour series of comic books published by Dark Horse Comics. A total departure from the source material, the 1994 film adaptation leaned more into the humor of the character, and proved to be a critical and financial success, subsequently launching its female lead, Cameron Diaz, to mainstream stardom.

Following the success of the original, rumblings of an upcoming sequel entitled The Mask II came to light in the pages of Nintendo Power before inevitably being scrapped when Carrey declined to return for the role. The franchise remained stagnant before finding a new lead in comedian Jamie Kennedy, and, to a lesser extent, a CGI dog.

Plastic Hair and Fanfare

There were a select few high-profile actors who were approached to take on the role of Tim Avery in Son of the Mask, the most notable of whom being Matthew Lillard and Ryan Reynolds. After other projects of his fell through, Jamie Kennedy signed on as the film’s lead. Kennedy himself was reluctant to portray the titular character, but Jim Carrey encouraged him to take on the project.

Kennedy has since spoken of his dreadful experience working on Son of The Mask in great detail on his YouTube channel, in a series of videos titled Son of the Mask: The Untold Story, in which he lays out difficulties with child actors, filling Jim Carrey’s shoes, and script revisions that changed Kennedy’s original outline completely. Needless to say, his disdain towards the project is justified, and it seems highly unlikely that New Line Cinema would take a stab at the franchise once more. Rent Son of the Mask on Apple TV.

12 Bad Lieutenant (1992)

1992 was a pivotal year for veteran performer Harvey Keitel, particularly in the world of indie films. At one end of the spectrum, Keitel was making cinema history as Mr. White in Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs, and on the other, a gritty story of a corrupt cop realizing the errors of his ways in Abel Ferrara and Zoë Lund’s Bad Lieutenant. The project barely made back its budget, but is now widely regarded as Ferrara’s definitive film, and one of Keitel’s strongest performances. The sequel, while not necessarily bad, is a sequel in name alone, and further proof of the harsh reality that Hollywood is slowly running out of ideas.

Worse Lieutenant?

Development for Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans began in the Spring of 2008, with Nicolas Cage and his Ghost Rider counterpart, Eva Mendes, set to portray the film’s leads, and Werner Herzog at the helm. From its inception, Herzog was adamant that the sequel was an entirely original story, even admitting that he never even saw Abel Ferrara’s initial effort. Ferrara publicly expressed his disdain towards those responsible for the project, until the two directors sat down and discussed Herzog’s intention with the film.

Despite the public perception of remakes in Hollywood, Port of Call New Orleans was released to rave reviews, with particular praise for Cage’s performance as the eponymous “Bad Lieutenant”. Would this project have made more sense with a unique title? Who’s to say? But those who enjoyed Harvey Keitel’s depiction of Bad Lieutenant will be pleasantly surprised at Cage’s interpretation. Stream on Hulu.

11 Donnie Darko (2001)

Jake Gyllenhaal continues to be one of the more bankable stars of this generation, and that notoriety might not have been possible without Richard Kelly’s Donnie Darko. While not a smash hit at the box office and reviews relatively mixed upon its release, Donnie Darko eventually found its footing once it made its way to the masses via DVD and VHS, with an eventual director’s cut released not long after.

Despite being an independent film, Kelly was unable to maintain the distribution rights to Donnie Darko, and, therefore, subsequent projects based on the property. With 20th Century Fox now in possession of said distribution rights, production for S. Darko was underway (without the blessing of Richard Kelly).

A Redundant Spin-Off

Those who have seen Donnie Darko know just how ridiculous the idea of a sequel is, especially considering how complex the original was. Even the most devout fans of the film have discussed its overall meaning at length. Director Chris Fisher’s interpretation of the world surrounding Darko (in this case, Donnie’s sister, Samantha) just felt watered down, highlighting the more superficial elements of Richard Kelly’s initial effort, rather than the underlying meaning of these surreal events. S. Darko was a critical and financial failure and a poor attempt at franchising a film that just didn’t need it. Buy S. Darko on Apple TV.

10 Titanic (1997)

James Cameron’s interpretation of the tragedy that was the sinking of RMS Titanic was instrumental in cinema for remaining true to the historical event while adding elements of romantic fiction to keep the story moving along, and compelling viewers along the way. Although those who saw Titanic during its initial theatrical run were able to predict the conclusion, Cameron’s characters added a unique depth that made the well-known ending that much more tragic. Many have attempted to use a similar formula for their own interpretations to capitalize on the success of Cameron’s project, the most deplorable of which being the 2010 pseudo-sequel Titanic II.

Parodying a Tragedy

While James Cameron took some liberties to expand on the original Titanic‘s overall story, he did it in a tasteful manner, paying tribute to those who perished while simultaneously telling a heartbreaking tale of star-crossed lovers. Shane Van Dyke’s Titanic II took a slightly different approach. Not only did this version have nothing to do with the first film, but it also implemented a fictional replica of the RMS Titanic to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the infamous shipwreck, and on said anniversary, history repeats itself, and the ship crashes yet again.

Though Titanic II isn’t technically a sequel to Titanic, there was a follow-up to Shane Van Dyke’s mockbuster, the 2022 Tubi supernatural horror film entitled Titanic 666. It just goes to show that there is no idea too outrageous for film distributors so long as there is potential for financial gain. Stream Titanic II on Tubi.

9 Teen Wolf (1985)

Having already been established in the industry for his portrayal of Alex P. Keaton in Family Ties, Michael J. Fox’s first major foray on the big screen came from the much-coveted role of Marty McFly in Robert Zemeckis’s Back to the Future in 1985. That same year, Fox landed the role of Scott Howard in Teen Wolf.

Nobody expected the project to be as successful as it turned out to be, eventually spawning a short-lived animated series, as well as the immensely successful MTV live-action series decades later. What most fans of the property seem to forget, however, is there was a direct follow-up to Michael J. Fox’s initial film, albeit without Fox in the lead. In his feature film debut, Jason Bateman would portray Scott Howard’s cousin, Todd Howard, in Teen Wolf Too.

Bad Genetics

There are many reasons a sequel for Teen Wolf just didn’t make sense, the most glaring of which being Michael J. Fox’s adamant refusal to reprise his role as Scott Howard, and rightfully so. The hours-spanning process of getting into that makeup proved to be a grueling experience, and, ultimately, Fox’s talents were a better fit for the Back to the Future franchise. Nevertheless, production was well underway for a sequel, and without Fox, script revisions needed to be made.

Although Teen Wolf Too is technically a standalone story in that regard, James Hampton and Mark Holton returned to reprise their roles of Harold Howard and Chubby respectively. Plans to further expand the franchise with Alyssa Milano as the lead were promptly scrapped as a result of the poor critical reception of Teen Wolf Too.

8 An American Werewolf in London (1981)

John Landis has established him as one of the most instrumental comedy directors of the 1980s, and, arguably, of all time. With classics such as Animal House, Spies Like Us, and Blues Brothers (to name a few), it seemed as if he had found his niche as a filmmaker. There was one exception to this formula, however. In 1981, Landis took a leap and released the horror comedy,

An American Werewolf in London with relatively unknown performers, David Naughton and Griffin Dunne. The project was a critical and financial success, and PolyGram Pictures was eager to have Landis pen a follow-up. Following numerous creative differences, Landis’ intended story was scrapped.

Landis’ Proposed Sequel

John Landis spoke at length about his journey creating An American Werewolf in London in the book Beware the Moon: The Story of An American Werewolf in London. In it, he details a brief period when he was approached to draft a sequel in 1991. Landis concocted a story that focused on Debbie Klein, a character referenced but never seen in the original film, investigating the deaths of David (Naughton) and Jack (Dunne) in London. PolyGram wasn’t too enthused by Landis’ script, and the project didn’t see the light of day until 1997, with a completely new (and far worse) tale set in Paris.

An American Werewolf in Paris lacked the humor and practical effects that made Landis’ effort so special in favor of now-dated CGI and bland performances from a surprisingly stellar cast and should be a lesson to studios about the dangers of tarnishing an established property with unnecessary sequels. Stream on Tubi.

7 Carrie (1976)

Before Brian De Palma made cinematic history for his interpretation of the pre-established Scarface, he was tasked with translating Stephen King’s horror novel, Carrie, to the big screen. The project featured a star-studded cast, namely Sissy Spacek and John Travolta, and De Palma’s signature style set Carrie apart from other horror films released during the time.

Since its release, King’s story has been rehashed in the form of a 2002 television film, and later in the 2013 reboot, starring Chloë Grace Moretz in the titular role. Before these projects, there was an oft-forgotten 1999 sequel entitled The Rage: Carrie 2, a shameless cash grab that had little to nothing to do with its source material.

Convenient Connections to a Much Better Story

The Rage: Carrie 2 boasts itself as a sequel in order to capitalize on the popularity of the original Carrie, and, much like American Psycho 2 before it, wasn’t initially intended to be a sequel at all. The working title was simply The Curse, and production for said project was set to begin as early as 1996. School Ties director Robert Mandel was set to direct The Curse, but after various creative disagreements during production, opted to step away from the project entirely, putting Katt Shea at the helm.

The one constant during production was newcomer Emily Bergl as the film’s lead, Rachel Lang. Critics and fans found fault with just about every aspect of Carrie 2, but many praised Bergl’s performance, despite the subpar material she was forced to work with. Needless to say, fans of Brian De Palma’s initial effort or Stephen King’s pivotal novel should avoid The Rage: Carrie 2 like the plague. Stream on Max.

6 The Sting

There are very few capers that achieved similar notoriety to George Roy Hill’s 1973 film, The Sting. With engaging performances from the late Paul Newman and veteran performer Robert Redford, the project was a significant critical and financial success, even earning 10 Oscar nods during its initial run, winning seven of them.

Additionally, The Sting reignited Paul Newman’s career amidst a series of lackluster films. By the early eighties, the original scribe for The Sting, David S. Ward, was having trouble finding subsequent success as a screenwriter. Fearing his best days in the industry were behind him, Ward reluctantly penned a sequel, aptly titled The Sting II.

One Last Big Score

Despite having been released just under a decade after The Sting, The Sting II (initially conceived as The Next Sting) takes place just four years after the events of the original. Robert Redford and Paul Newman allegedly couldn’t return to the project due to scheduling conflicts, but it stands to reason that they were more than likely averse to potentially tarnishing the legacy of The Sting.

As a result, Jackie Gleason and Mac Davis were called upon to portray Fargo Gondorff and Jake Hooker, respectively. The Sting II was a flop in every regard but did achieve a single Academy Award nod for Lalo Schifrin’s musical score. Following the success (or lack thereof) of The Sting II plans for a third installment were swiftly scrapped. Rent The Sting II on Apple TV.

5 Taken

Nobody could’ve expected the original Taken to be as successful as it was. After previously finding success in projects such as Darkman and Schindler’s List, Liam Neeson was not without his fair share of critical acclaim and mainstream appeal before the film’s inception. Taken, however, established Liam Neeson as an action star, and, even if you hadn’t seen the film, you most likely would have heard Bryan Mills’ iconic speech recited to his daughter’s captors.

There wasn’t necessarily any intent to further expand on the franchise, but, with the unlikely success of the original, production for Taken 2 was underway. This time, highlighting just how reckless Neeson’s character truly was.

It’s Just Bad Parenting

Considering the circumstances of the original Taken, it would stand to reason that Bryan Mills (Neeson) would put his family in hiding. Instead, he consistently puts them in harm’s way. Taken 2, in particular, sees his daughter (Maggie Grace) and ex-wife, Lenore (Famke Janssen), take a trip to Istanbul to visit Mills on the job, where he is promptly “taken” along with his wife, this time putting his daughter in the driver’s seat to save them.

Much like the first Taken, Taken 2 was met with tepid reviews, but made a splash at the box office, leading to an eventual third installment, and, later, a short-lived television series. Taken isn’t a perfect film by any stretch, but it was without a doubt influential for the action genre. With that said, these expansions just made the events of the first film seem ridiculous by comparison. Stream on Apple TV.

4 Saturday Night Fever

Saturday Night Fever is in the upper echelon of most-referenced films in the American media. Whether or not you’ve sat down and watched the movie, you’ve seen its influence through various recreations of its iconic dance sequences, as well as John Travolta’s (or in this case, his character, Tony Manero’s) trademark demeanor. As a result, Saturday Night Fever had a tremendous influence on the popularization of disco in the 1970s. This notoriety, along with disco’s overall appeal in popular culture, began to falter as the years progressed. Unfortunately, those involved with the inception of Staying Alive didn’t find that out until it was too late.

Staying Relevant

Development for Staying Alive began as early as the release of Saturday Night Fever, but writers Robert Stigwood and Norman Wexler were unable to get John Travolta on board with their initial pitch. The project was set aside for a number of years, as Travolta envisioned his character’s focus being on furthering his career as a Broadway dancer, and refused to have it any other way.

They soon came to a compromise and began writing a PG treatment, as opposed to the original’s R-rating. Upon its release, Staying Alive was criticized for tossing aside the more realistic aspects seen in Saturday Night Fever in favor of a more musical and optimistic approach. Although John Travolta has continued to pay homage to Tony Manero throughout his illustrious career, this installment should have remained in limbo. Stream Staying Alive on Showtime.

3 Legally Blonde (2001)

In 2001, novelist Amanda Brown released Legally Blonde, a novel based on her own experiences studying at Stanford Law School. Though she never obtained a J.D. degree, she used her knowledge and observations of those around her to shape the fictional Elle Woods, the novel’s protagonist. Reese Witherspoon portrayed Woods in the film adaptation later that same year, in a performance that continues to be influential to women just over two decades after its inception. By now, many have forgotten that there was even a sequel to Legally Blonde, and, in all honesty, that may be for the best.

Red, White & Blew It

Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde was just the first attempt to capitalize on the unlikely success of Legally Blonde, and, to the credit of those involved, was a considerable financial success. At the same time, it was critically panned for attempting to double down on the tired tropes of the original. Milly and Becky Rosso later portrayed the twin cousins of Elle Woods in the 2009 direct-to-DVD spin-off, Legally Blondes.

In 2018, Reese Witherspoon signed on to reprise her role as Elle Woods in the third installment of Legally Blonde. The unrealized project was initially set for a 2020 release, but it has since been revealed that Mindy Kaling and Dan Goor were writing an entirely new script. Though Legally Blonde 3 might have the potential to turn the public perception of the Legally Blonde franchise around entirely, it could just as easily never see the light of day. Stream Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde on Max.

2 Grease (1978)

The musical film genre has made a serious comeback in recent years, but few musicals have had the same cultural impact that the 1978 film adaptation of Grease had upon its inception. At the time of its release, Allan Carr’s adaptation of Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey’s 1971 musical became the highest-grossing musical film of all time, and its reputation has only continued to increase as the years progressed.

By 1982, in particular, the world was craving more Grease, and Allan Carr was eager to deliver. The result was a watered-down sequel with an almost entirely new cast, including the feature film debut of actress Michelle Pfeiffer.

Grease 2: Even Greasier

Production of Grease 2 was marred from the beginning. Allan Carr struggled to convince the majority of the cast and crew from the original effort to return for this unnecessary follow-up. As a result, Carr recruited stage choreographer Patricia Birch (who, admittedly, was hesitant about signing on) to direct the film and Airplane II: The Sequel writer/director Ken Finkleman to pen the script.

The project was intended to be the first of many continuations of the original Grease, but, due to immense critical backlash from this endeavor, any and all follow-ups were promptly scrapped. A short-lived Paramount+ series entitled Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies debuted and concluded in 2023. Stream Grease 2 on Paramount+

1 Mean Girls (2004)

Tina Fey’s interpretation of Rosalind Wiseman’s self-help book, Queen Bees and Wannabes, has transcended generations for its humor and unique approach to the importance (or lack thereof) of popularity in high school. Produced by Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels, the project was praised for Tina Fey’s script, Mark Waters’ direction, and the performances of its main cast, with particular praise going towards Lindsay Lohan.

The film eventually spawned a Broadway musical, which would serve as the basis for the 2024 theatrical reboot aptly titled Mean Girls. With that said, many forget that this was not the first attempt to expand upon the Mean Girls property. That honor belongs to the 2011 made-for-television installment, Mean Girls 2.

Mean Girls… But Disney!

Development for Mean Girls 2 was announced as early as 2008, along with a slew of other direct-to-video sequels to be produced by the short-lived Paramount Famous division. The project predominantly features various Disney Channel alumni, most notably Camp Rock star Meaghan Martin and Wizards of Waverly Place star (and current Wizards of Waverly Pod host) Jennifer Stone.

Mean Girls 2 was critically panned for simplifying the familiar formula of the original Mean Girls, while simultaneously having little to nothing in common with the source material. Following the release and negative reception of Mean Girls 2, Paramount Famous ceased production of their slated direct-to-video continuations of established properties, quietly shutting their doors in 2011. Stream Mean Girls 2 on Max.