Just because one film did good in the box office and became a cult classic, doesn't mean it needs a sequel. There is a long history of sequel films not making the cut with audiences. A lot of times, fans express that some sequels never live up to the popularity of the original.
There are a number of original films that became cult classics, but their accompanying sequels went down the gutter. Sometimes sequels don't have the right formula to make it big on screen. Here are ten sequels to cult classic films that are better left in the dark.
Evan Almighty (2007): 5.4
In 2003, Jim Carrey starred as Bruce Nolan in the religious comedy film, Bruce Almighty. While the film only received a 6.7 rating from IMDb, the film later became a hit in the comedy genre. Sadly, the sequel didn't have the same response.
Evan Almighty followed the same idea of God instilling a divine journey on a mundane person. Remember Evan Baxter (Steve Carell) from the first film? He becomes the main character in the sequel. Baxter is a newly elected Congressman who is bestowed upon by God (Morgan Freeman) to become Noah and build an arch for the oncoming flood.
The Crow: City Of Angels (1996): 4.7
The Crow is a cult classic based on a popular black and white comic book. It also gained attention not only for its storyline and visuals but for its main actor Brandon Lee. Many fans never understood the decision to create a franchise to the original film, much less a reboot that would have starred Jason Momoa.
In 1996, the sequel film, The Crow: City of Angels perished compared to the original. Ashe Corven (Vincent Pérez ) and his son are murdered by a drug kingpin after they witness a murder. Sarah (Mia Kirshner), now grown up, follows the same crow that resurrected Eric Draven to the resurrection of Ashe. Given a second chance, Ashe seeks revenge.
Lost Boys: The Tribe (2008): 4.5
Lost Boys: The Tribe was created as a stand-alone film sequel to the 1987 film, The Lost Boys. The original got a 7.3 rating while the sequel plummeted to 4.5. Even though the DVD release amassed high sales, reviews were highly critical of the film.
This time it's about surfing as Chris (Tad Hilgenbrink) and his sister Nicole (Autumn Reeser) move to California and meet a group of former pro surfers. At night they attend a party and Nicole is turned into a vampire. Chris must find a way to save his sister from an immortal blood-sucking life.
Grease 2 (1982): 4.4
Many are unaware that the famous musical comedy film, Grease had a sequel film. It's safe to say no sequel can top Danny Zuko (Travolta) and Sandy Olsson (Newton-John). Critics explained that Grease 2 was a blatantly bad retelling of the first film with no energy, pazzazz and negligible plot. Ouch!
The T-bird and Pink Ladies are back but with new members. New English student Michael Carrington (Maxwell Caulfield ) becomes enthralled by Stephanie Zinone (Michelle Pfeiffer), leader of the Pink Ladies. But he's nowhere near what she desires or good enough for a leather jacket. He disguises himself as a "cool rider" to get her attention.
Mean Girls 2 (2011): 4.1
The only good thing in common between the sequel and the original Mean Girls is the film name. Mean Girls 2 received negative reviews for being a cliche teen film that couldn't live up to the original film's dynamic story. The Plastics are back but they could never take the original girls in a fight.
Jo Mitchell (Meaghan Martin) is a tough tomboy who moves to a new high school. She instantly clashes with The Plastics and their leader. It leads to a slew of childish pranks that turn dangerous when Jo is accused of stealing charity money from the school and jeopardizes her college future.
From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money (1999): 4.1
Everyone's heard of the Quinten Tarantino film From Dusk Till Dawn that later became a cult phenomenon and one of many recognized films by Tarantino. The sequel film directed by Scott Spiegel and produced by Tarantino bombed horrendously.
Buck (Robert Patrick) gets his old acquaintances together to aid his friend Luther (Duane Whitaker) after he escapes prison. Along the way to the meetup spot, Luther angers the bartender of a local bar after his car breaks down. He's then turned into a vampire and goes on a rampage.
Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997): 3.9
Speed isn't necessarily one of the most highly acclaimed films out there but it became a classic regardless. You can't help but swoon over Keanu Reeves as he and Sandra Bullock try to save the passengers of a transit bus rigged to blow. The sequel film, Speed 2: Cruise Control really did bomb with a 3.9 rating.
Critics expressed the sequel film fell short of the popularity of the original. It had the same mediocre action sequences, dialogue and comedy that didn't generate as much excitement. Annie (Bullock) has a new love interest and decide to take a cruise together. It turns into the vacation of nightmares as the cruise is hijacked.
American Psycho 2 (2002): 3.8
You might be baffled to believe that a sequel was made to the cult classic horror film American Psycho starring Christine Bale. In 2002 the film American Pyscho 2 was released starring Mila Kunis in the main role. Kunis expressed in a 2005 interview that she didn't know the film was meant to be a sequel.
She was embarrassed by the film as it was a different project entirely and later re-edited to fit the original film. Kunis played Rachael Newman, a survivor of Bateman (Bale), who wants to join the FBI. She soon turns into a killer, murdering her competition.
S.Darko (2009): 3.6
Donnie Darko got a sequel film not many were too happy about. Richard Kelly, who directed and wrote the first film expressed in an interview with PopMatters that he is often blamed for the sequel despite having no involvement and relinquishing the film rights.
Set seven years after the original, Samantha Darko (Daveigh Chase) is dealing with trauma and starts sleepwalking. While on a road trip, strange events occur in a small town. Samantha starts hallucinating, seeing the end of the world and experiences time travel.
Son Of The Mask (2005): 2.2
If there is one film sequel that should have never been made it's Son of the Mask. The Mask, starring Jim Carrey, is one of the most popular superhero comedy films loosely based on its original comics. The film cemented Carrey's film career. But the sequel tanked and for good reason.
Some critics describe the film as being "painfully unfunny" and wishing they walked out of the theater. Loki (Alan Cumming) wants his mask back but only finds a fake. The real mask is found by a dog named Otis and brought to Tim Avery (Jamie Kennedy). Oddly enough, Avery wears the mask and gets his wife pregnant. The child now has the powers of the Mask and is hunted by Loki.