Top 10 Worst Action Movie Sequels
When this video ends, let's all try our best to forget these abominations ever happened. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we're counting down our picks for the Top 10 Worst Action Movie Sequels. For this list, we're looking at films that are bona fide action movies, and straight franchise sequels.
Special thanks to our users Godslayer79 or submitting the idea using our interactive suggestion tool at http://www.WatchMojo.comsuggest
Top 10 Worst Action Movie Sequels
Top 10 Best Action Movie Sequels
When this video ends, let’s all try our best to forget these abominations ever happened. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 worst action movie sequels. For this list, we’re looking at films that are bona fide action movies, and straight franchise sequels. However, they don’t have to necessarily be the second movie in the series. Also, no superhero movies – yes, we’re looking at you, “Superman IV”!
#10: “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” (2011)
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Four films in and not even Captain Jack Sparrow could save this one. In fact, Jack was one of the only beloved characters left from the original film with a chance to rescue this disaster. Other favorites like Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom had the foresight to abandon ship. This film departed from the three before it, acting as a standalone sequel. And we’ll just come out and say it… things get weird in this movie. There are magic swords, voodoo dolls, zombie armies, mermaids, and magic chalices - yet none of the magic that made audiences fall in love with “Pirates” in the first place. There’s a reason this franchise has taken a long extended break since this movie’s release.
#9: “xXx: State of the Union” (2005)
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As was the case for many movies on this list, the film that spawned the sequel was a blast. “xXx” was a thrill ride few expected, so after its success, of course a sequel was lined up. Standard order of business. However, we all should have expected “State of the Union”’s disastrous fate well in advance when original lead actor Vin Diesel – you may have heard of him – dropped out of the film to make… you’re not going to believe this… “The Pacifier.” “xXx” also lost its original director, Rob Cohen. Substitutes Ice Cube and Lee Tamahori were both criticized, the movie relied far too heavily on bad CGI, and audiences were unimpressed with the story. Overall, it just missed the mark.
#8: “The Matrix Revolutions” (2003)
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Where to even begin with a film that broke so many hearts? The original “Matrix” blew audiences away. It was incredible, no doubt about it. Audiences were thrilled to get a second in “Reloaded,” and while there were some warning signs, there was plenty of great action. Point being, we had hope for the finale. Sadly, audiences were disappointed to see that this last installment was far too anticlimactic. Then there was something about chosen ones and clones… can we just get to the action please? Unfortunately, that too failed to impress. Simply watch Lock’s infamous “Blaze of Glory” scene to understand “Revolutions” in a nutshell.
#7: “Highlander II: The Quickening” (1991)
Okay, this one will be tough to handle. Bear with us here. The first “Highlander” was fun. A creative small budget movie about an immortal Scotsman in New York, it was a good time, a cult classic, awesome… should have been left alone. Enter “The Quickening.” Our immortal hero is no longer immortal and he has to deal with some assassins – okay we’re sticking with you for now, maybe this could be cool – and his mission is to save the world from… the ozone layer? Okay, so it’s more like an artificial version of the Earth’s stratosphere called “the shield”, but regardless… Criticized for numerous plot holes and continuity errors, “The Quickening” fails to be an enjoyable experience on every level. Come on man, you’re fighting the ozone layer!
#6: “Terminator Salvation” (2009)
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For those of you still curious, yes the “Terminator” franchise is still alive and releasing movies. How, we don’t know. Surely “Genisys” killed it once and for all. But then again “Salvation” came first, and it was, somehow, an even worse installment in this once beloved franchise. Avoiding time travel, you’d think “Salvation” wouldn’t suffer from the logistical problems the other films are criticized for, but that’s not the case. “Salvation” makes little sense, as its Skynet-controlled protagonist relies on luck and coincidence to fulfill his mission…and yet in the end, we’re supposed to believe it was all part of a master plan. The action also failed to excite, but hey, that’s not a big part of action movies anyway… right?
#5: “TAK3N” (2014)
Okay, “Taken 2” wasn’t very good either, but at least it had a plot that related to its title. No one was even taken in this movie! As far as audiences could tell, the plot of this story was: send Liam Neeson out to be badass on the phone, fight some foreign bad guys, and make our studio money. It’s also clear the writers don’t read comments on YouTube, because any observer of “Taken” fans would be well aware that the last thing they’d want is MORE of that damn daughter. Stop getting into trouble. And stop crying! You know your dad is going to save you!
#4: “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” (2009)
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Michael Bay takes a lot of heat from critics, moviegoers, internet trolls… well pretty much everybody, so let’s all start this off by offering some respect and admitting that the first “Transformers” movie was actually pretty good. It was awesome seeing our favorite Autobots and Decepticons on screen. The second installment, however, didn’t hold up. Audiences were predictably critical of all the usual Michael Bay tropes like explosions and one-dimensional characters… but critics caught onto much bigger problems. The story didn’t make any sense, and the movie tried to save itself with bigger stunts, slow motion Megan Fox running scenes, and more explosions. General consensus: the movie went full Michael Bay. Enough said.
#3: “RoboCop 3” (1993)
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Three films in, “Robocop” came across as played out and stretching itself too far for success. Problem number 1: Robocop wasn’t Robocop. Original franchise actor Peter Weller was replaced by Robert John Burke, something fans were not particularly pleased about. Problem number 2: like so many others on this list, the movie simply had a terrible plot. We get that action movies by nature require leniency, but there’s a limit to audience generosity. That, coupled with the fact that it toned down its graphic violence to suit family audiences, meant that original “Robocop” fans were none-to-pleased with this one.
#2: “A Good Day to Die Hard” (2013)
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Is anyone surprised a “Die Hard” film made this list? Yeah, we didn’t think so. It’s the general consensus among film aficionados that the “Die Hard” franchise, like its lead star, Bruce Willis, has given up at this point. But for some reason, they just keep making these damn movies and people keep flocking to the theaters to see them. The worst offender, though, is “A Good Day to Die Hard.” Earning a 14% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it is criticized for having little-to-no plot that simply serves to set up action scenes. Willis and Jai Courtney also got flack for their performances, but come on, they didn’t have much to work with. Before we unveil our top pick here are a few honorable, or rather, dishonorable, mentions. - “2 Fast 2 Furious” (2003) - “U.S. Marshals” (1998) - “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” (2008)
#1: “Speed 2: Cruise Control” (1997)
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Of all the lists WatchMojo’s had to compile, choosing a number one pick has never been so easy. Far above all the others on this list, critics and fans agree “Cruise Control” is one of the worst – if not THE worst - action movie sequel ever made. The original “Speed” was an unexpected adrenaline rush filled with great performances from Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, and Dennis Hopper. That speeding bus! Awesome! Let’s all go see “Speed 2,” it’s about a… slow moving cruise ship. Where’s the action? Where’s the speed?! Missing Reeves and Hopper, the film is filled with terrible dialogue, a poor plot, and yes, clearly, awful action. We’d gladly jump off the boat and drown. There’d be less suffering involved. Do you agree with our list? What do you think is the worst action movie sequel? For more hilarious top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
