Whenever a movie is even moderately successful, a sequel is usually produced to cash in within just a few years. While oftentimes these second parts continue the stories laid out in the first movie, they will just as frequently contain the characters on an unrelated adventure. Every now and again, however, a sequel will come along with the same name, but little else in common with the predecessor.
This will often happen when a solo script is similar to an existing movie, and a studio slaps a sequel title on it. These movies are the perfect example of cash grabs, and oftentimes they will go down in infamy. The best sequels are ones that offer a naturally progressing story, and the worst are the ones that view the name of the original to make a quick buck and are usually met with lackluster reviews.
Home Alone 3
In the '90s, few movies were as impactful as the holiday classic, Home Alone. An almost immediate success, Home Alone spawned a sequel several years later that had essentially the same plot. Besides this, the movie had most of the characters returning and like its predecessor, is a staple for many families around Christmas.
The third entry, however, may as well be one of the many Home Alone ripoffs. Outside of the title, music, and similar plot, Home Alone 3 has nothing to do with the previous two. The story follows a young child named Alex, not Kevin, who must fend his home from robbers. Gone is the Christman connection, and gone are all the characters fans have come to know.
Book Of Shadows: Blair Witch 2
The Blair Witch Project jumpstarted the found footage genre and was a phenomenal success. Following the release, audiences would be hard-pressed to escape the constant references and praise. A sequel seemed like a sure-fire success if only the filmmakers had decided to watch the earlier film.
Book Of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 was an immense box-office and critical bomb. The movie has nothing to do with the previous film outside of the literal tacked on title and the fact that the movie exists in the Book Of Shadows universe. The movie failed to get even a fraction of success the last film did, and it isn't a mystery to see why.
Troll 2
There is nothing that can be said about the infamous Troll 2 that hasn't already been said. The movie is one of the most loved bad movies in history. From the terrible acting to the hokey special effects, the movie is a blast to watch, although not for the reasons the filmmakers intended. What many fans may not realize, however, is that the movie has no connection to the original Troll.
The original is also a beloved bad film, so it is a surprise that any studio would greenlight a sequel. Troll 2 was written as an entirely different project before being labeled as a sequel. While not as infamous, Troll should be respected just for the fact that it spawned one of the most iconic terrible films of all time.
American Psycho 2
American Psycho is one of the most unique thriller movies of all time. The film was controversial at the time of release and has more than a fair share of fans. The movie was a critical smash and one was one of the first times future Batman Christian Bale was able to shine. It was cut and dry, so it came as a surprise to many when a direct-to-video sequel was released.
American Psycho 2 was originally written as "Girl Who Wouldn't Die" and was later branded as a sequel for no reason other than profit. An opening scene featuring Patrick Bateman, not reprised by Bale, was added to the opening and has no other bearing on the plot other than a half-hearted connection. Practically every fan of the original chooses to pretend this movie doesn't exist, and their lives are better for it.
Silent Night Deadly Night 4: Initiation
Another classic "so bad it's good" movie is Silent Night Deadly Night and its sequels. The second and third entries follow the brother of the killer of the first film and keep with the killer Santa motif. The fourth film, however, decides to throw all of that out the window, instead opting to be a completely random story masquerading as a fourth entry.
The main character of this film shares the name with the main character of the previous two, but it is clearly a different character. All three of the previous films were bombs, so it is an odd choice as to why producers turned this script into yet another sequel.
The Birds II: Land's End
The thought of a sequel to an Alfred Hitchcock classic seems sacrilegious. With an example like Psycho II, this isn't true as the movie does an excellent job at holding its own. In the case of The Birds II: Land's End, however, this is an understatement. Many Hitchcock fans aren't even aware this movie exists.
The movie was made for TV in 1994 and was considered so bad, the director chose to be credited under the popular pseudonym Alan Smithee. Tippi Hedren was the only returning cast member, although as a different character and nothing more than a cameo. The film is about killer birds, and that is where the connections end.
Halloween III: Season Of The Witch
While gaining cult status and being enjoyed by many fans in the years since its release, that doesn't change the fact that Halloween III: Season Of The Witch has not earned that name. After the success of the previous two entries, John Carpenter wanted to release an anthology of films every Halloween, each with its own self-contained story. This was the first and last attempt, as fans hated the fact that Michael Myers was nowhere to be seen.
While many fans have become more receptive to the idea, the movie was marketed as a sequel when it had no connection to the other films. As an easter egg, the trailer to the original Halloween is actually seen on TV, although to many fans this was rubbing salt in the wound.
Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights
Just because a character from a previous entry is in a sequel, that doesn't mean it is a good sequel. If the character can be taken out and the movie is exactly the same, it shouldn't be a sequel. This is exactly the case with Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. The movie is virtually the same plot as the original, just in a different setting.
Patrick Swayze has a cameo, but it is less a connection, and more the filmmakers desperately trying to remind audiences of the movie they were tricked into thinking they were seeing a continuation of.
Jingle All The Way 2
The thought process of the studio heads that greenlit a sequel to the holiday comedy Jingle All The Way is one of life's greatest mysteries. Released straight to DVD a full 18 years later, Jingle All The Way 2 features Larry The Cable Guy as a father desperately trying to find a toy bear for his daughter.
While similar in plot, there is no good reason this movie should have been branded as a sequel. Even fans of the original are mostly oblivious to this film's existence and forget about it immediately when they do see it.
Kindergarten Cop 2
In another entry in what can only be described as the "Arnold Schwarzeneggar non-sequel cinematic universe," Kindergarten Cop 2 is another movie that has no reason to be a sequel. It was released over 20 years after the original and has no connection to it.
Dolph Lundgren portrays a cop who goes undercover as a Kindergarten teacher, giving the film virtually the same story. Kindergarten Cop 2 is another direct to DVD film most fans don't even realize exist and roll their eyes when they find out.