In case you are wondering what a “Legacy” film is, a Legacy film is a movie that is a follow up to an often beloved or original movie that took years to make. While many might think most of the movies are being made due to the lack of imagination from Hollywood. However, occasionally we get a Top Gun: Maverick. But we aren’t here to talk about that movie, we are here to talk about the movies we were expecting Top Gun: Maverick would fall under. And you might be confused by that statement, but let’s be honest a sequel to 1986’s Top Gun being as good as it was is insane. So we are looking at the movies that we were anticipating to be works of art that ended up falling flat on its face. But don’t worry, we will eventually get to make a list for those legacy films that didn’t disappoint. The one rule we have for this list, is the sequel has to be ten years or older than it’s original.
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xXx: The Return of Xander Cage (10 Years)
Not that 2002’s xXx was anything to rave about, it still was a pivotal part of Vin Diesel’s career considering it came out a year after The Fast and the Furious. But since xXx: State of the Union was such a bomb, Vin Diesel must have felt inclined to still bring back his original character with a sequel. However, no one was really asking for the return of Xander Cage, it still managed to pull in $346 million on a budget of $85 million. The critics bashed with remarks like “equivalent of cotton candy: all empty calories” or “packed with moments of rank idiocy”. Audiences still gave the film a bit of love for its relentless and stylized action sequences. A perfect entry to kick off our list for the worst legacy films.
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machine (12 Years)
Honestly, we could have picked any Terminator movie after Judgement Day but we thought we would start with the one that started the downfall of the machine. In 1984 The Terminator blew onto the silver screen as a thrilling action sci-fi that pushed the boundaries of cinematic technology and just when we thought James Cameron couldn’t possible push the boundary any further, we get Terminator 2: Judgement Day. After the massive success of the sequel, fans were hoping to get more out of Cameron and Schwarzenegger once again. Twelve years later, we finally got another follow up, but with new director Jonathan Mostow. While the effects managed to hold up to the previous two films and the action sequences were exciting, it failed to provide a compelling story with likeable characters that the previous film managed to create. Of course, this entry manages to hold up better than some of its follow up’s but that’s a list for a different day.
Men in Black 3 (10 Years)
Of course, sequels are often as good as the originals which is the whole purpose of this list. But considering Men in Black 3 was slightly better than the second installment, neither of them still manage of them to live up to the original. However, the hype to see Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones return as the intergalactic defenders of the universe was real. Unfortunately the hype was killed when Men in Black 3 finally came out in 2012 to mediocre reviews from fans and critics. As charming as Will Smith can be at times, it wasn’t enough to carry the film on his own, considering Tommy Lee Jones one received around ten minutes of screen time.
The Matrix: Resurrections (18 Years)
Fans weren’t sure to expect with another Matrix film, especially after Reloaded and Revolutions left audiences disappointed. But we were optimistic to see a Wachowski, Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss return for another Matrix movie. However the star power behind the production wasn’t enough to create a coherent movie with visual effects that couldn’t live up to the original film despite the advancement in technology. Regardless of how great it was to see Neo and Trinity again, Resurrections was a massive let down with a story that seems forceful and does nothing to progress the series or enhance the viewing experience of the previous three films.
Dumb & Dumber To (20 Years)
Did we really need a sequel to one of the most recognizable comedies in cinema? Probably not, but we got one anyways. Released twenty years after the original, Dumb & Dumber To was everything the original film should have been and not in a good way. A film like Dumb & Dumber is something that seems like it can only be captured once, it’s over the top humor is the kind of humor that audiences can only have so much of. Despite the incredible time gap between the films, it is something that no one was asking for or needed. As great as it was to see Jim Carrey and Jeff Bridges return to their respective roles, it simply wasn’t enough to create a film that lived up to its predecessor.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (19 Years)
After The Last Crusade in 1989, we were sure that would be the last we would see of Indy but Spielberg and company had other plans in mind. With Harrison Ford and Karen Allen returning into their respective roles of Indiana Jones and Marion Williams, this film introduced Cate Blanchett as the main antagonist and Shia LaBeouf playing Indy’s long lost son. While the film had ambitious ideas and great concepts, it just doesn’t seem to fit in with the legacy a character like Indiana Jones has left behind. Surprisingly yet another Indiana Jones film is scheduled for a June 30, 2023 release date, this time helmed by James Mangold (Logan, Ford v Ferrari) and will once again see the return of Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones.
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Coming 2 America (33 Years)
An unexpected hit of 1988, dominating the box office in the June 1988 over classics such as Big and Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Eddie Murphy was ready to return to his roots with a follow up to his memorable film Coming to America. The Amazon Prime produced sequel see’s Eddie Murphy once again as Prince Akeem attempting to rekindle a broken relationship with his son while in America. Unfortunately this film was a major disappointment and completely unnecessary as a sequel, Murphy’s humor from the 1980’s just didn’t seem to translate to the modern day. But its ok Eddie, you killed it in Dolemite Is My Name so we will let Coming 2 America slide. Just be sure to deliver in Beverly Hills Cop 4.
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (16 Years)
Star Wars might be one of the most recognizable properties to date, even if you haven’t seen them you most likely know what it is. Even after the conclusion of the original trilogy with Return of the Jedi, we weren’t sure if we were ever going to see another Star Wars film again. Then George Lucas announced the development of another trilogy, which would explore the origin of Anakin Skywalker and his transformation in Darth Vader, beginning with The Phantom Menace. And sadly the film didn’t live up to the anticipation, I would love to continue ranting on and on about this film but I think we have all heard the issues with this movie. Jar Jar Binks, Bad. Darth Maul, Good. Dialogue, Bad. Pod Racing, Good.
Independence Day: Resurgence (20 Years)
Marketing doesn’t get any better than releasing a film called Independence Day on Independence Day. An exciting popcorn flick starring Will Smith battling against an alien invasion. The film was a massive financial success and received much appreciation from fans, but poor reviews from critics. Regardless, if it makes money then you know Hollywood is going to pop out a sequel. However, a sequel to ID4 turns out to not be the best idea after all. An attempt to make another big loud action film, turned out to just be relentlessly mind-numbing. With dull characters and chopping editing, Roland Emmerich wasn’t able to deliver the same excitement as the original.
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Zoolander 2 (15 Years)
Not that Zoolander was some renowned comedy, it is still a hit with audiences and loved by many people. But one thing Zoolander didn’t need, was a sequel. Ben Stiller returned to star and direct the film, but was filled with cheesy and unfunny jokes. Anyone who might have loved the original film, was not given anything from this sequel that would have improved their devotion to the original. But again, it’s not like Zoolander was some masterpiece anyways. The only legacy this film left, was a bad taste in our mouth.
What did you think about our list for the top 10 Worst Legacy films? Do you agree? Give us your top 10 Worst Legacy Films. Did we miss any? Let us know!
