Top 10 Biggest Plot Holes in Movie Sequels
#10: Phoenix Force Origins
Is Joaquin Phoenix' Joker The Right Move for DC? – The CineFiles: Extended Cut
“X-Men: Dark Phoenix” (2019)
When the X-Men franchise set a new timeline in “X-Men: Day of Future Past,” it connected the X-films in a straightforward manner. With pesky plot holes seemingly filled, “X-Men: Apocalypse” presented a new chapter for our mutant heroes. It also showed that Jean Grey was already in possession of the Phoenix Force - seeing as how she used it to defeat the movie’s titular big bad. However, come “X-Men: Dark Phoenix,” Jean doesn’t come into possession of the fiery power until an outer space rescue mission. While this is something that lines up with the comics storyline, it doesn’t explain why she had the Phoenix Force in the previous film. We’ll need more than omega-level mutant brain power to figure this one out!
#9: Fembot Reveal
“Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me” (1999)
Ok, we hear you, the “Austin Powers” films shouldn’t be taken too seriously. Afterall, they serve as perfectly silly parodies of the James Bond franchise. However, one can’t help but be bewildered by a certain Fembot reveal in Austin’s follow-up feature. The first installment introduced us to Vanessa Kensington, played by Elizabeth Hurley. By the film’s end, Vanessa is in a romantic relationship with Austin. Yep, the International Man of Mystery totally gets the girl. Come the sequel, however, it’s revealed that Vanessa was a Fembot the entire time. But wouldn’t Austin’s “Mojo” have destroyed her like all the other Fembots? And wouldn’t he have been able to tell during…well, you know. “Oh behave!”
#8: Electro Doesn’t Know Spider-Man’s Identity
“Spider-Man: No Way Home” (2021)
Marvel can’t blame this one on the strangeness of the multiverse. You see, in “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” many of the “Wall Crawler’s” arch villains are mysteriously pulled through the multiverse for unknown reasons. That is, until Doctor Strange explains things to us. According to the good doc, only the villains who know Spider Man’s true identity were pulled through. The problem is that Electro is one of them, and he never found out that Peter Parker was Spider-Man. He even says as much. So, why is he there? We can’t say, but it sure was nice to see Jamie Foxx’s baddie back in action – plot holes be damned.
#7: Leia Remembers Her Mother
The Evolution of Leia Organa
“Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi” (1983)
This one is a bit twisted, as the plot hole in question is revealed in the “Star Wars” sequel film, “Return of the Jedi,” but was created in the “Star Wars” prequel film, “Revenge of the Sith.” In the latter film, Leia’s mother, Padme, dies immediately after childbirth. But, in “Return of the Jedi,” Leia tells Luke that she remembers her mom through various images and feelings. How could this be? As a newborn, Leia wouldn’t have been able to remember anything, let alone details about her mother’s beauty and emotional state. This isn’t the only “Star Wars” plot hole either, but more on that later…
#6: The Time Turner
Top 20 Major Movie Plot Holes
“Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban” (2004)
From one beloved franchise to another we go, as “Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban” features a truly infamous plot hole. It’s in this sequel film that we are introduced to the “time turner.” This magical device was originally given to Hermione so she could attend multiple classes in a day via some time travel. That’s cool and all, but wouldn’t such a thing be useful for, you know, destroying every threat that happened prior to the film? A “time turner” would've been the ultimate problem solver! JK Rowling later attempted to fill the plot hole by revealing the magical power had certain time limitations. Unfortunately, by then, our heads had already been hurt from all the scratching.
#5: Alien Stowaway
Alien vs. Predator Movie Franchises
“Alien 3” (1992)
Renowned director David Fincher has not been shy about sharing his displeasure with “Alien 3.” And he’s not alone. Fans are also quick to disparage the film, often citing the plot holes in the opening sequence as a major factor. The movie begins with a Facehugger emerging from an egg aboard the Sulaco ship. It turns out the Alien Queen planted it there in the previous movie. At least, that’s what they would have us believe. Unfortunately, there is no logical way this could have happened. For one, the Queen’s eggs were destroyed and even if she did have one, there was no time to run around and secretly plant one. We just can’t crack how the egg got there.
#4: Wonder Woman Reveals Herself
Top 10 DC Movie Plot Holes
“Wonder Woman 1984” (2020)
While Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman was a major part of the DCEU, many things didn’t quite add up when it came to the character we were presented with. Before headlining her own films, the Amazonian warrior was introduced in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” Bruce Wayne discovers Diana was part of World War I, but otherwise has no idea who she is. However, the idea that she kept her presence super-secret is greatly contradicted in “Wonder Woman 1984.” The 80s-set sequel to “Wonder Woman” takes place well before the events of “Dawn of Justice” and shows Diana revealing herself - not only fighting in public but addressing the world. And everyone just forgot about her after that?
#3: Visions of Werewolves
“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2”
It’s fair to say that the “Twilight” films aren’t critical darlings - by any means. However, there’s no denying the series featured its share of standout sequences, with one in particular taking place in the sequel to “Breaking Dawn.” Here, Alice has an extended vision of a bloody battle between vampires and werewolves. But how could this be? It had previously been explained that Alice can’t see werewolves in her visions. In “New Moon,” she thought Bella had died because her vision blocked the sight of Jacob, a werewolf, diving after her. So, wouldn’t her epic battle vision just have been a bunch of vampires attacking “air” and getting ripped apart by “nothing?”
#2: Healing Powers
“Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker” (2019)
The latter “Star Wars” films have torn many holes in the established space opera franchise (don’t get us started on Rey being Palpatine’s granddaughter). The most frustrating plot hole, however, comes from the reveal that Rey, through the Force, could heal mortal wounds. Why is this such a big deal? Well, prior existence of such power would have changed the entire course of the whole “Star Wars” saga. Anakin’s main motivation for joining the Dark Side was to save his wife’s life. If there was a way to heal someone, there’s no way he would have become a Sith. Where exactly was the knowledge of this practice back then? “Lost Jedi art” you say? Why would they stop using such a lifesaving technique like this?
#1: Author of James Bond’s Pain
“Spectre” (2015)
Daniel Craig’s James Bond film series is widely celebrated by fans and critics alike. Unfortunately, the franchise suffered a major misfire with 2015’s “Spectre,” as it ripped a major hole in Craig’s 007 story. Christoph Waltz played the ultimate Bond villain Blofeld and was revealed to be James’ bitter stepbrother. Resenting James, he dedicated his life to ruining his sibling’s – becoming the “author of his pain” by constructing the events of the previous films. It doesn’t track though, as Bond was not even the primary target in several of those outings. Plus, the other villains always did their darndest to take him out. There is NO WAY that all the previous complex plans were orchestrated by Blofeld just to punish James!
Do you have explanations for any of these sequel film plot holes? Enlighten us in the comments below!
