Summary
Today’s movie industry has often felt awash with a litany of unnecessary sequels, but this ignores all the fan-favorite movies that never received a follow-up despite deserving one. For one reason or another, some films that could have acted as the starting point for a fantastic new franchise or series have just been left as one-off cinematic events. This can be related to poor box office numbers, an inability to get the sequel’s script right, or simple disinterest from the filmmakers or studios in producing a follow-up.
Certain fan-favorite movies have had long-festering sequels that just never managed to get off the ground, and with each passing year, they begin to feel increasingly unlikely as theyloom in development hell. Other movies were underappreciated in their own time, but due to the advent of home video and the age of streaming, they have found a second life that has left audiences craving more. Whatever the reason, plenty offan-favorite movies never got a sequel despite totally deserving one.
15The Iron Giant (1999)
The Iron Giantwas the directorial debut of Brad Bird, who would go on to have major success at Pixar with films likeThe IncrediblesandRatatouille. This heartfelt first film failed to make much of an impact when it was released in 1999 but has since become a cult classic and a favorite among animation enthusiasts. Despite this,The Iron Giantbombed upon release, making just over $31 million against its $50 million budget (viaThe Numbers), meaning that, despite its incredible quality, all talk of a sequel was quieted before it began.
The Iron Giant
Cast
Set in 1957 Maine against the backdrop of the Cold War, The Iron Giant follows Hogarth Hughes, a young boy who finds an alien robot crashlanded in the woods outside his hometown. Determining that the robot is friendly, Hogarth quickly becomes its protector against forces in the US Army who wish to use the robot for their own means. Eli Marienthal voices Hogarth, with a further cast that includes Vin Diesel, Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick Jr., and Christopher McDonald.
14The Goonies (1985)
Directed by Richard Donner
As one of the most beloved family-friendly films of the 1980s, it’s shocking thatThe Gooniesnever received a sequel. As the story of a group of kids on an adventure to uncover the treasure of a 17th-century pirate,The Goonieswas a classic coming-of-age tale thatechoed the timeless appeal of the work of Steven Spielberg, which made sense as it was based on a story by Spielberg himself. While aGooniessequel felt like a no-brainer, director Richard Donner moved on to theLethal Weaponseries, and it never happened.
The Goonies
When a small Oregon community is threatened by the foreclosure of their homes, a group of young misfits who called themselves the Goonies set out to find an ancient treasure in order to save the town. From a story by Steven Spielberg and a screenplay by Chris Columbus, Richard Donner’s The Goonies is one of the most iconic adventure movies of the 1980s, with a cast comprising the talents of Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Corey Feldman, Ke Huy Quan, Jeff Cohen, Robert Davi, and Joe Pantoliano.
13The Nice Guys (2016)
Directed by Shane Black
So much of the discourse surrounding the modern filmmaking era has related to the influx of sequels, prequels, and franchises and the lack of original ideas in Hollywood. Then cameThe Nice Guys, starring Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling, an excellent action buddy-cop movie that delivered everything audiences could want from an original film. Sadly, this was not reflected in the box office numbers, and despite being a cult favorite that was incredibly deserving of a sequel,The Nice Guyshas disappointedly remained a one-off.
12Constantine (2005)
Directed by Francis Lawrence
The superhero horrorConstantinestarred Keanu Reeves as the cynical exorcists traversing Earth and Hell in a story looselybased on theHellblazergraphic novel series. Despite holding the potential to become a major franchise,Constantinereceived mixed reviews upon release and was criticized for how much it changed from the source material. However,Constantinewas still an incredibly unique film thatgained a cult following. Rumors about a sequel have swirled around for years, and in 2023, an update from director Francis Lawrence hinted it could still be on the cards (viaDeadline.)
Constantine
Supernatural exorcist and demonologist John Constantine helps a policewoman prove her sister’s death was not a suicide, but something more.
Directed by Vince Gilligan
In 2019,Breaking Badlovers were shocked to learn about the release ofEl Camino: A Breaking Bad Movieon Netflix, which followed up onthe incomplete story of Jesse Pinkman. A highly satisfying epilogue to the main series to accompany the prequel seriesBetter Call Saul,El Caminohelped resolve lingering questions about Jesse’s life after he fled the compound where he had been held prisoner in the finale ofBreaking Bad. While moreBreaking Bad-related sequels may not be necessary, if Vince Gilligan had the right idea, it would be for a deserving project.
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie
El Camino wraps up Jesse Pinkman’s story after he escapes from a group of Neo-Nazis at the end of Breaking Bad. Written, directed, and produced by Vince Gilligan and starring Aaron Paul, the 2019 movie revolves around Jesse’s attempt to flee to Alaska and start a new life, leaving behind his past with meth kingpin Walter White.
Better Call Saul Directly Connects Gene’s Timeline To El Camino
Francesca’s reference to Jesse Pinkman directly links Better Call Saul’s Gene timeline with the events of El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie.
10Hancock (2008)Directed by Peter Berg
The Will Smith superhero filmHancockcame out during a definitive year for the genre as it coincided with the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While the MCU has since become a sprawling franchise across film and television,Hancockwas an often-overlooked but exceedingly interesting filmthat seriously deserved a sequel. With a protagonist who did want to be a hero or save the innocent,Hancockhad the potential to explore a different side of the superhero genre and highlight those who chose to reject the great responsibility they had been bestowed with.
Hancock
Hancock is a 2008 superhero film starring Will Smith as John Hancock. Despite being a superhero, Hancock could care less about the damage he causes in the city as long as he catches the criminals he’s after. But after he saves Ray (Jason Bateman) the two work together to help his public image and turn him into a real hero.
9World War Z (2013)
Directed by Marc Forster
As one ofthe best fast zombie movies ever,World War Zfollowed Brad Pitt as a United Nations investigator trying to find a solution for a worldwide zombie apocalypse.World War Zmade over $540 million at the box office and became the highest-grossing zombie film of all time, which made it even more shocking that this successful film never got a sequel. A follow-up had been planned with David Fincher to directWorld War Z 2, but sadly, it was scrapped in part due tothe Chinese government’s ban on films featuring zombies and ghosts(viaHR.)
World War Z
Based on the novel by Max Brooks, World War Z tells the story of a world ravaged by a zombie virus. Former United Nations investigator Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) braves the apocalypse in search of a cure. He is tasked with finding the point of origin of the virus in order to synthesize a vaccine, reluctantly doing so in exchange for his family’s safety. His search takes him around the world, where he witnesses all the devastation of the apocalypse.
8Inception (2010)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
IfInceptionhad been made by any writer-director other than Christopher Nolan, it likely would have acted as the starting point for a long-running dream-based franchise. With an incredibly creative concept and endless possibilities,it’s a shame there was never anInceptionsequel, as its extraordinary visual spectacular mixed with psychological intrigue made it a clever blockbuster crowd-pleaser. As audiences still debate the ending ofInceptionto this day, interest would be huge for a potential sequel.
Inception
Inception, directed by Christopher Nolan, features a skilled thief who uses dream-sharing technology to steal corporate secrets. He is tasked with planting an idea into a CEO’s mind, while confronting his troubled past, which threatens the mission and his team.
Inception Ending Explained - Is Cobb Still Dreaming?
Inception’s ending sees Cobb walking away after pulling out his totem, but whether the top ever stopped spinning may not be as important as it seemed.
7Dredd (2012)
Directed by Pete Travis
Despite bombing at the box office,Dreddhas built up a reputation as a cult favorite and was well-deserving of a sequel, as its visual effects, excellent casting, and incredible action sequences made it an effective sci-fi satire. As an engaging character study that featured Karl Urban as the law enforcer Dredd years before he found success inThe Boys,Dreddhad the potential to be a major series, but the property was badly handled and marketed. While Urban previously stated there werediscussions about aDreddTV series, these never came to fruition.
Dredd
Based on the comic character created by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra, Dredd is a sci-fi action movie that stars Karl Urban as Judge Dredd, a law enforcement officer who can commute sentences as quickly as he issues them. Set in a dystopian New York-like city called Mega-City One, Dredd is tasked with hunting down a drug lord who controls a massive 200-story apartment complex named Ma-Ma, pushing a new addictive drug called “Slo-Mo” that has become widely used in the slums.
Directed by Adam McKay
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobbywas one of the funniest comedies of the mid-2000s, as its hilarious look at the NASCAR industry was comedic gold. Directed by Adam McKay, it was unfortunate that instead of following up on the story ofTalladega Nights, he produced a lackluster and unnecessary sequel to the directional debut,Anchorman. In the years sinceTalladega Nights’release, McKay has shifted his filmmaking style toward socially conscious satires likeThe Big ShortandDon’t Look Up, so nowa continuation of the story of Ricky Bobby feels highly unlikely.
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby is a 2006 comedy directed by Adam McKay, starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly. Ferrell plays a successful NASCAR driver who almost loses his family, best friend, and his career when a French Formula One driver attempts to take his number one spot in the world of racing.
