Why? Just Why? 10 Pointless Movie Sequels Nobody Asked For

1. "Dumb and Dumber To" (2014)

Sometimes, nostalgia isn't enough to carry a film. This was evident in "Dumb and Dumber To," a sequel that came 20 years after the original. While Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels reprised their roles, they couldn't resurrect the charm of the original. Instead, we got recycled gags and a plot that was too ridiculous, even by the standards of the first film.

Critics weren't kind, with the movie sitting at 29% on Rotten Tomatoes. It managed to pull in $169.8 million worldwide at the box office, but it was universally agreed that this was a sequel nobody asked for.

2. "Son of the Mask" (2005)

Okay, remember "The Mask" from 1994? Jim Carrey, zany antics, a genuinely funny film? Well, "Son of the Mask" is a sequel that not only lacks Carrey's comic genius but also brings a talking baby into the mix. It's like they saw "Look Who's Talking" and thought, "We can do worse." It has a shocking 6% score on Rotten Tomatoes and was nominated for multiple Razzie Awards, the infamous ceremony that "honors" the worst in film. I guess that's what happens when you replace the charm and wit of Carrey with... well, anything else.

3. "Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2" (2015)

Even the title makes me cringe. Despite the first movie being a surprise box office success, grossing $183.3 million worldwide, the sequel fell flat. Kevin James returned as the titular character, but the humor and charm didn't. The film was a monumental flop, receiving a pitiful 5% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and universal criticism. In fact, it was so poorly received, it made us question if we were too generous with our appreciation of the first one.

4. "Basic Instinct 2" (2006)

14 years after the original, Sharon Stone returned to reprise her role as Catherine Tramell in "Basic Instinct 2," but sadly, the sequel didn't live up to the suspense and eroticism of its predecessor. Critics panned the film, with a 7% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and Stone even won a Razzie Award for Worst Actress. The film was a box-office bomb, earning only $38.6 million worldwide against a $70 million budget. It felt like a desperate attempt to reignite the flame that had long since burned out.

5. "Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2" (2004)

We're not quite sure who thought the original "Baby Geniuses" needed a sequel, but they were sadly mistaken. "Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2" has the dubious distinction of a 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, joining the infamous club of films that no one thinks has any redeeming qualities. Critics universally panned it, and audiences barely turned up to watch, leading to a box-office gross of only $9.4 million against a $20 million budget.

6. "Zoolander 2" (2016)

Ben Stiller returned as the dim-witted model in "Zoolander 2," 15 years after the original. Unfortunately, this sequel lacked the humor, originality, and charm of the first movie. Even an all-star cast including Owen Wilson, Penélope Cruz, and a cameo by Justin Bieber couldn't save it from a dismal 23% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and several Razzie nominations. Despite a decent box office return of $56 million, it's safe to say the world didn't need a second Blue Steel.

7. "The Hangover Part III" (2013)

Where "The Hangover" was a fresh and hilariously wild ride, "The Hangover Part III" proved that even the wildest of parties should have a curfew. The Wolfpack was back, but the laughs weren't. The storyline was convoluted, the humor felt forced, and even the charm of the original cast couldn't salvage this sinking ship.

While it managed to rake in a substantial $362 million worldwide, critics weren't fooled, slapping it with a meager 20% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Perhaps the most poignant review came from The Guardian, describing it as "a joyless, laughless – that's right, not one single laugh – affair." So, in other words, the opposite of a hangover cure.

8. "Blues Brothers 2000" (1998)

When "The Blues Brothers" hit screens in 1980, it became an instant cult classic, blending comedy, music, and mayhem in perfect harmony. Sadly, its sequel "Blues Brothers 2000" missed the beat. Dan Aykroyd returned, but without John Belushi, the movie lacked the original's heart and humor.

In an attempt to fill the void, they overloaded the cast, including a young kid as a blues prodigy and a whole host of cameos. It did little to save the film, which ended up with a sour note on Rotten Tomatoes at 45%. Critics summed it up best, saying it was "like the cover band that plays the songs close enough, but you can tell the difference."

9. "Speed 2: Cruise Control" (1997)

Following the smashing success of "Speed," someone decided it would be a good idea to remove Keanu Reeves, put Sandra Bullock on a cruise ship, and call it a sequel. "Speed 2: Cruise Control" is a sequel in name only, failing to deliver the thrilling, high-octane energy of the original. Instead of a speeding bus, we got a slowly moving ship, and instead of Reeves, we got...Jason Patric.

Critics tore the movie apart, leaving it with a dismal 4% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite having a much larger budget than the original, it earned significantly less at the box office. It's a textbook example of why you can't recreate lightning in a bottle...or in this case, on a cruise ship.

10. "Jaws: The Revenge" (1987)

Ever heard the phrase, "The sequel is never as good as the original"? "Jaws: The Revenge" may be the best evidence to support that claim. Despite the original "Jaws" being a masterstroke of suspense, this fourth installment takes a nose-dive into the absurd. This time, the shark is out for revenge (yes, you read that right) against the Brody family.

And if you think that sounds bad, consider this – it has a 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In the words of Roy Scheider's character in the original, we're "gonna need a bigger boat" to contain all the negative reviews this sequel received.