Movie sequels are all the time an thrilling enterprise, each for filmmakers and audiences. Studios typically greenlight these follow-ups primarily based solely on the monetary potential, even when the earlier installment failed to actually join with viewers. After all, the primary rule of Hollywood is to generate income, so field workplace receipts typically matter greater than critic opinions or viewers scores.
Some movies underperform upon launch however turn out to be cult classics years later after rising on the viewers. These motion pictures encourage studios to take one other stab on the materials. Other instances, a mediocre entry from a franchise, even after stumbling on the field workplace, makes an attempt to rise from the ashes and land a resurrection from producers who merely can not bear the concept of letting go.
Either manner, as you scroll by way of this listing of field workplace bombs that had been granted second possibilities, attempt to think about what precisely was it that drove studio executives to resume a failing components. Perhaps it was blind optimism, a refusal to simply accept defeat. Or it was the magic of higher advertising and marketing, a hope that subsequent time, with extra explosive trailers and fancy stunts, a dud may very well be reborn as successful. Perhaps its merely the nostalgia of rebooting a once-beloved model or characters that filmmakers wish to play with. Whatever the motivation, these sequels showcase Hollywood’s credo that in present enterprise, no bomb is just too massive to disregard. These cinematic reincarnations of field workplace bombs remind us {that a} sequel, like some other story, lives or dies on the intangible – coronary heart, spirit, and the magic of which means.
20 47 Ronin (2013)
Starring Keanu Reeves as Kai, a loyal disciple, this action-adventure flick from 2013 tells the story of a band of samurai who search revenge in opposition to the treacherous overlord who damage their grasp, Lord Kira, and falsely banished them. Regardless of bringing feudal Japan to life with some jaw-dropping units and true-to-picture costume design, the film was a industrial flop.
As a half-Japanese-half-British outcast, Reeves’ character was all about loyalty and honor because the band of warriors confronted off in opposition to the enemy and in the end pulled off an in depth plan to take down Lord Asano. Without a doubt, 47 Ronin had expertise concerned, however the film nonetheless did not seize hearts and field workplace success. A sequel, Blade of the 47 Ronin, was lately launched on Netflix, leading to one other underrated film with stylized cinematography and motion scenes.
19 Donnie Darko (2001)
Donnie Darko is a cult traditional if there ever was one, and but followers are confused as to how they really feel about so far. Richard Kelly’s mind-bending debut follows the surreal journey of a troubled teenage boy named Donnie Darko, who sees visions of an ominous 6-foot rabbit named Frank. Frank warns Donnie that the world will finish in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds, and in the meantime, he oversees all people’s path to doom.
The film meshes components of sci-fi, horror, and darkish comedy to create a psychological thriller that bombed upon launch however discovered new life on DVD and VHS. Donnie Darko attracted a loyal fanbase for its brilliantly bizarre tone and themes of existentialism. Eventually spawning a director’s lower and a much-maligned sequel, S. Darko, the unique stays an underground treasure.
18 Tron (1982)
Way earlier than CGI and excessive particular results dominated popcorn cinema, Disney made an try to bless the massive display with an imaginative feat of sensible results and storytelling. The intention was to whisk away the viewers into a pc mainframe for an journey of sunshine cycles and matchbox-sized applications bringing the machine world to life. But sadly, the visible spectacle of Tron couldn’t compete with an viewers that was accustomed to Star Wars’ groundbreaking results.
Despite a compelling storytelling involving a hero and an ally defeating a malevolent software program, the film obtained combined opinions. It progressively (and deservedly) gained a following of tech fanatics and animation buffs who acknowledged how superior it was for its time, holding the movie alive till the visually gorgeous sequel Tron: Legacy arrived practically 30 years later, exhibiting how even a field workplace dud can launch a profitable franchise.
17 The Chronicles of Riddick (2004)
Not a uncommon instance of a film attempting to outshine its predecessor, The Chronicles of Riddick is a sci-fi thriller that picked up the story of Vin Diesel’s antihero Riddick a decade later after the modest cult hit Pitch Black. Boasting a $105 million finances, elaborate manufacturing design, and expansive world-building, Chronicles additionally introduced stars like Karl Urban, Thandiwe Newton, and Keith David into the combo.
While the film aimed to extend the scope of the franchise, it stumbled to match mainstream audiences’ tastes. But as a result of Vin Diesel and director David Twohy collectively thought to maintain the crook-turned-reluctant-messiah’s saga alive, they returned with one other charming, sci-fi-bent movie titled Riddick in 2013. This time, holding the spending low, the franchise earned a spot among the many very unlikely and surprisingly satisfying sequel tales ever informed.
16 XXX: State Of The Union (2005)
Another modest entry starring Vin Diesel that put XXX on the map; it wasn’t till the movie franchise returned with Ice Cube taking over the position of a brand new agent Darius Stone despatched to Washington D.C. to guard the President of the United States that followers lastly gave up. Thanks to its turgid plot, tedious motion sequences, and general fading feeling of the narrative, XXX: State Of The Union’s try at succeeding on the field workplace was an enormous no-no.
That isn’t to say director Lee Tamahori didn’t strive. There had been components of spy cynicism and political commentary, however there have been subpar at greatest and ended up alienating all however probably the most diehard XXX followers. So, though the State of the Union crashed and burned on the field workplace, Paramount refused to scrap this property. The outcome was XXX: Return of Xander Cage, a disastrous threequel that got here years later.
15 The Big Lebowski (1998)
As stunning because it appears as we speak, the Coen Brothers’ stoner comedy traditional about “The Dude” and his White Russian-fueled bowls’ bowling adventures arrived lifeless on the field workplace, making somewhat over double its $15M finances. Yet by way of late night-night showings and word-of-mouth, Lebowski grew right into a cultural phenomenon rivaling just a few different such feats. Besides, The Big Lebowski stars Jeff Bridges because the lead, who is taken into account one of many best actors of the technology.
The film gave us numerous catchphrases, costumes, and rituals that appeared to work in reworking the movie’s lovable losers into self-styled heroes. Nearly 20 years handed earlier than rumors a few long-awaited sequel started swirling, and in 2019, the studio gave us The Jesus Rolls, which adopted John Turturro’s Jesus. Regardless of tapping a timeless vein of counter-culture cool, it looks as if the film is simply one other commercially failed comedy.
14 Highlander (1986)
Starring Christopher Lambert as Connor Macleod, an historic Scottish immortal warring by way of the centuries, Highlander bursts in by way of the doorways as a really promising sword-swinging motion journey with a touch of fantasy. For the time, the narrative and the visuals had been clearly contemporary. While the B-movie tried taking itself to greater highest through the use of a legendary Queen soundtrack, neat visuals, and enticing leads, it nonetheless couldn’t make up for the weak writing and uneven tone, and deadpan supply.
The audiences had been left chilly, they usually merely demoted Highlander to a discount film. However, in 1991, the studio determined to go massive for some cause and dropped Highlander II: The Quickening, which once more was a failure. Even after holding the franchise with more and more ridiculous sequels, comics, and TV exhibits, there by no means appeared to be an inflow of ‘Highlanders,’ exhibiting that generally ardour isn’t sufficient to make an concept stay by way of the years.
13 Boondock Saints (1999)
Irish twin brothers on a righteous campaign in opposition to Boston’s underworld evildoers – what’s to not love? Boondock Saints launched an uncommon mixture of darkish comedy and vigilante justice that includes Norman Reedus and co-starring Sean Patrick Flannery and Willem Dafoe earlier than any of them had been too well-known. But Troy Duffy’s directorial debut flopped upon launch. Whether it was the scattered plot or the tough technical elements, the film simply couldn’t break by way of on the industrial entrance, and it has since served primarily as a cautionary story for indie filmmakers.
Yet, over a decade later, a poorly obtained sequel snuck out within the type of Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day. The film upped its advertising and marketing recreation and managed to endure. The brothers, now retired, returned to Boston after being accused of homicide, proving that perhaps Boondock Saints’ powders had been nonetheless moist.
12 Wet Hot American Summer (2001)
Wet Hot American Summer was a pitch-black satire of 80s camp motion pictures that naturally grew to become a stomach flop of epic proportions. Propelling the careers of stars like Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, and Paul Rudd, the film adopted a bunch of counselors at a summer season camp, stuffed with a lot pent-up vitality, impatiently ready for the expertise present to go effectively to allow them to all go residence. It commits fully to its silliness and humor, however watching it turns into a take a look at of endurance.
But if the film is widespread in any respect, it’s purely by way of the facility of residence video providers as a result of beneath the calamities was a genuinely candy story that founds its viewers a bit too late. In 2015, the messy magic returned with Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, which proved to be extra hilarious than the unique. Honestly, it kinda grows on you.
11 Ghostbusters II (1989)
Another instance of a high-profile field workplace bomb that granted an unlikely sequel over 20 years later, the Ivan Reitman sequel to the inaugural film within the franchise that got here out in 1989, was a weirder entry within the traditional franchise. Fans thought Ghostbusters II in any other case primarily trod the identical waters as the primary, with the retired occasion returning for some fun-filled supernatural mission involving an ectoplasmic slime risk.
The film was additionally adopted up by one other entry in 2016, chronicling the adventures of Abby, Erin, Jillian, and Patty as they attempt to cease an apocalypse in New York City. The comedy and spectacle had nothing to do with the franchise besides just a few references right here and there, and the backlash solely demonstrated how the reboot might have solely ever succeeded had it adopted the identical trajectory as its unique. Only lately, the comedic solid returned to grace viewers with nostalgia and a wholesome mixture of coronary heart and humor with Ghostbusters: Afterlife as an unlikely sequel.
10 The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Often hailed as one of many best movies ever made, it could come as a shock to many who MGM’s traditional musical fantasy was initially dismissed as a field workplace bomb upon its launch. Even although the price of manufacturing was extraordinarily excessive, The Wizard of Oz obtained detached opinions from critics. Plus, there was competitors from 1940’s Gone with the Wind, and the technical difficulties of creating Oz’s fantasy world come to life appeared to conspire in opposition to the film at first.
It wasn’t till after a number of TV earrings over a long time that Oz got here to seize the hearts of technology after technology. From its charming fable educating morals to its iconic characters just like the Cowardly Lion and the Wicked Witch, each facet labored collectively to make it a timeless work of magic that has entertained audiences for over 80 years. The sequel, Return to Oz, took a darker tone however did nothing to decrease the previous’s attraction.
9 The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
A midnight film that graced the massive display a long time earlier than the time period even existed, The Rocky Horror Picture Show was a campy musical parody of Fifties B-movies. The story revolves round a transvestite alien named Frank N Furter, who gives refuge to Brad and Janet on a stormy night time. The film appears very compelling to horror followers proper now, however it failed spectacularly upon launch, closing inside per week of its premiere.
After goth grew to become widespread and counterculture rose within the following decade, Rocky Horror grew into an underground phenomenon. The viewers would take part in rituals fashioned across the movie’s unusual characters and sing alongside to Richard O’Brien’s campy songs. In 1981, Shock Treatment got here out and adopted Brad and Janet returning to their hometown and enjoying together with the oldsters of their actuality tv drama. Although odd, the sequel by no means diminished the inaugural film’s glow.
8 G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009)
Based on Rhode Island’s beloved Hasbro toy franchise, this big-budget adaptation hoped to launch a billion-dollar film universe identical to Transformers. But alas, it disillusioned each critics and followers with a bloated mess of nonsensical storytelling and one-dimensional characters. Despite having a star-studded solid led by Channing Tatum, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Sienna Miller, the movie sputtered on the field workplace. It spelled solely doom for G.I. Joe on the silver display.
Yet, Hasbro held quick to their most prized army motion determine property and remained undaunted by the failure of G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. It was decided to deliver him again with greater ambitions, and 2013’s G.I. Joe: Retaliation was a surprisingly self-aware sequel that in some way managed to enhance upon the primary movie. Where massive manufacturers and childhood icons joined palms, the title alone was sufficient to spark an curiosity.
7 Hocus Pocus (1993)
Despite that includes a high-caliber solid together with Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, this Halloween comedy about witch sisters wreaking havoc in Salem did not solid a spell on audiences when it was launched. Hocus Pocus might have turn out to be one of many best vacation fantasies now, progressively enchanting a brand new technology of children who embrace it as a campy, feel-good staple.
Still, in 1993, the film was a stunning bomb. Whether it was the infectious vitality, Sarah Sanderson’s iconic cackle, or the amusing nature of Midler’s outrageous Winifred, the movie continued to encourage every little thing – from Halloween costumes to parodies. The field workplace dud was resurrected in 2022 with a sequel titled Hocus Pocus 2, which premiered on Disney+.
6 It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Probably probably the most well-known field workplace bomb turned beloved traditional, It’s A Wonderful Life was Frank Capra’s heartwarming Christmas story that has served as an inspiration for audiences and filmmakers alike for nearly eight a long time. The film follows a person named George Bailey, who’s proven the worth of his life by a guardian angel. Its philosophical nature and poignant themes of life did not resonate with the general public again then, however its repeated screenings on tv earned the movie a complete new life.
The audiences had been captivated by its feelings, small-town appeal, and profound message of cherishing life’s easy joys and making each second depend. What’s extra stunning is that Wonderful Life’s in a single day success a long time later introduced in a sequel. Unbeknownst to many, Clarence was informed from the guardian angel’s perspective, and it follows nearly the identical storyline.
5 Robocop 2 (1990)
While the violently subversive sci-fi motion of the unique Robocop stuffed theaters with blood-soaked glee, RoboCop 2 threw its cyborg hero right into a dystopian crime warfare in Detroit the place he’s supposed to save lots of the day. The film’s plot could appear wildly interesting, however the fact is that it bored the viewers and flopped on the field workplace. Even for probably the most devoted followers, Robocop 2’s racier R score, bigger physique depend, and over-the-top villains did nothing however symbolize a real adaptation of Frank Miller’s graphic novels.
Action junkies do think about it a favourite and embrace its unfiltered extra, however the mainstream audiences all the time flip up their noses. The sequel that got here out in 1993, RoboCop 3, additionally crashed, proving the saga’s second life much less commercially profitable even after cranking up every little thing that may have made the unique profitable.
4 Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
Nobody tried to deliver again this 1998 monster for over 20 years. But the newest iteration in Warner Bros monster universe tried to pit Godzilla in opposition to Mothra, Rodan, and King Ghidorah. The film, written and directed by Michael Dougherty, promised epic visible spectacle and a starry solid. And it delivered each, however the critics and audiences had been each unfazed.
Godzilla: King of the Monsters had an unnecessarily lengthy runtime and a convoluted plot that did not match the easy enjoyable of earlier Godzilla outings. So a lot that it threatened to derail the franchise’s revival earlier than it actually started. But for some moviegoers, the movie’s monster mayhem and jaw-dropping creature designs breathed new life into the traditional kaiju, making certain one other cinematic showdown looming on the horizon. Godzilla vs. Kong was first delayed, however it did present some motion within the type of giants stomping cities and respiration hearth.
3 Hellboy (2004)
Adapted from Mike Mignola’s beloved graphic novel titled Dark Horse Comics, Guillermo del Toro’s imaginative and prescient of a gruff, cigar-smoking demon who fights monsters for a secret authorities company might have gained over critics, however it certainly did not set the field workplace ablaze. There have lengthy been followers of the character – his mixture of horror, humor, and engrossing pulp motion.
And so, when Hellboyblended del Toro’s ingenious visible model and Ron Perlman’s swaggering lead efficiency, the franchise made positive to remain again as an underrated fantasy. Way earlier than the film was even introduced, del Toro was already getting ready a sequel. The launch was moved from 2006 to 2008, however Hellboy II: The Golden Army was once more poorly obtained by the brand new technology. After all, the DIY spirit that generally powers the world of comedian books doesn’t suffice for an important franchise.
2 Atlas Shrugged: Part I (2011)
Narrowing it right down to an sincere opinion, some literary materials merely resists the alchemy of moviemaking. And though Ayn Rand’s libertarian dystopian novel appears an unlikely candidate for a field workplace bomb-turned-sequel, writer-director Paul Johansson’s ardour mission managed to deliver the text-heavy quantity to the display. The film appeared lazy in its obscurity and was harshly criticized for butchering Rand’s advanced themes.
Atlas Shrugged: Part I vastly disillusioned followers of the novel, however its political allegory sparked sufficient controversy for a sequel to emerge the next 12 months. Needless to say, Atlas Shrugged: Part II fared no higher critically or commercially. This sort of misguided persistence solely reminds us that some field workplace bombs are much less cinematic failures and extra victims of their very own dogma.
1 Blade Runner (1982)
Ridley Scott’s neo-noir sci-fi cult traditional got here out the identical 12 months as Tron. And it underperformed on the field workplace regardless of groundbreaking manufacturing design, modern visuals, and a picture-perfect portrayal of a dystopian future. Rick Deckard’s mission to obliterate the military of androids and save the day was anchored by poor advertising and marketing and obtained with combined criticism. Plus, there was additionally competitors from blockbusters like E.T.
Naturally, Blade Runner was doomed commercially at first. But over time, its visionary world-building, considerate examination of what it means to be human and iconic performances by Harrison Ford and Rutger Hauer cemented its standing as a science fiction masterpiece that influenced a style and was imitated numerous instances. Thirty-five years later, a sequel, Blade Runner 2049, arrived to renewed curiosity and proved that some field workplace bombs are destined to turn out to be timeless hits.