20 Movies That Deserved To Get Sequels But Didn't

Ashley Hunte
Movie film reels on a white surface.
Unsplash | Denise Jans

Some movies are so good, they have you wondering where the sequel is. Sometimes a movie gets the sequel it deserves, and other times it gets one that's... not so good.

But some movies, no matter how good they are and how easily it would be to continue the story, don't get sequels. Here are just a few of them, based on the internet's opinions.

The Rundown (2003).

Two people with disheveled clothes staring at each other.,
IMDb | Universal Studios via IMDb

Ranker describes this early Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson flick as a solid film that sadly didn't do too well in the box office. Unfortunately, that probably also means it won't be getting a sequel anytime soon.

Chronicle (2012).

Three guys sitting at a table.
IMDb | Twentieth Century Fox via IMDb

It looks like a sequel for this 2012 hit is in the works, or at least it was before entering the dreaded production hell. Still, it looks like some kind of successor to the first movie is planned, and it may even be female-centric.

Hot Fuzz (2007).

Two cops eating ice cream cones.
Giphy | Digital Spy

Ranker writes that, of all the movies Edgar Wright has made, Hot Fuzz is the one with the biggest sequel potential. And I have to say, I agree with that 100%. Come on, Edgar, pleeeease?

Dredd (2012).

A man wearing a blue and red helmet that covers his eyes.
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As far as action sci-fi comic book adaptations go, Dredd was pretty well liked and praised. And, like, 10 years isn't that long between installments for a movie series, so maybe there's still a glimmer of hope somewhere.

Devil in a Blue Dress (1995).

Two people standing in a doorway.
Giphy | Bounce

Denzel Washington's character, Easy Rawlins, has appeared in over a dozen books at this point. Plenty of sequel potential right there. So, uh, how come we've only seen him on screen the one time?

Commando (1985).

Arnold Schwarzenegger putting paint on his face and arms.
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It's weird to think about how Schwarzenegger's other big movies from the '80s (AKA anything he starred in during that decade) got a sequel, but this action packed thriller didn't. Uh, better late than never I guess?

Constantine (2005).

Keanu Reeves aggressively holding a cat.
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According to Ranker, this movie was only a modest hit (if you can count $230 million at the box office modest). Fans liked it enough, but the sequel momentum just wasn't there. And that's honestly a shame.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005).

A man saying, "What do you think I am, stupid?"
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It's hard to believe that there was a time when casting Robert Downey Jr. in anything was a risk (the days before the 2008 Iron Man movie and its subsequent sequels weren't great for the actor, after all). But the risk paid off. Not enough for a sequel I guess.

Rise of the Guardians (2012).

Several animated characters holding red bags on the top of a building.
Giphy | DreamWorks Animation

I feel like everyone forgot about this movie, apart from very niche internet communities (like the Reddit crowd). But this movie had a solid story and a surprisingly star-studded cast. Like, it definitely deserved more than it got a decade ago.

Galaxy Quest (1999).

An alien man standing next to a woman and saying, "By Grabthar's Hammer what a savings."
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A campy Star Trek parody turned cult classic is just asking for, like, a million sequels and spinoffs. But in the decades since its release, crickets. Well, aside from a possible Simon Pegg-led TV adaptation.

Master And Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003).

dinner scene from Master and Commander with Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany
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Will this 2003 movie ever get a sequel? Who can say. But if you're a fan and can settle for a prequel instead, then you'll be pleased to know that one is in the works.

The Fifth Element (1997).

A woman with orange hair turning and holding up an ID card.
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If you had to pick one movie to sum up '90s cinema, The Fifth Element might be one of your top contenders. Sadly, director Luc Besson had absolutely no plans for a follow up to this... strange, fun movie.

Big Trouble in Little China (1986).

A man shooting a gun into a ceiling which causes debris to fall on his head.
Giphy | 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Another cult classic that got its sequel hopes dashed by poor box office sales (and mixed reviews). It looks like there have been talks for a sequel/spin-off staring Dwayne Johnson, though director John Carpenter didn't seem too jazzed about that.

Shoot 'Em Up (2007).

Two men pointing guns in each other's faces.
IMDb | Shoot 'Em Up via IMDb

I have to admit, I don't know much about this violent action flick, apart from the fact that it seems to appeal to a very specific kind of person. And for that very specific kind of person, the lack of sequel buzz is probably very upsetting.

Black Dynamite (2009).

A man looking down and saying "Can you dig it?"
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Despite not doing well at the box office, this blacksploitation-inspired action film is... actually really good and absolutely deserves a sequel. Luckily, it looks like one is in the works. I just love when that happens.

The Nice Guys (2016).

Two men sitting at a bar.
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From director Shane Black (remember Kiss Kiss Bang Bang from earlier in this list?) comes yet another movie that absolutely deserves a sequel. A movie that shouldn't work, but does thanks to the chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe. A movie that should have a sequel, but doesn't.

Serenity (2005).

The cast of the 2005 film Serenity.
IMDb | Universal Pictures via IMDB

If you're a sci-fi fan, then you probably already know about Firefly. And if you know about Firefly, then you likely know that Serenity is the movie continuation of the cult TV phenomenon. Will it ever get a sequel? Your guess is as good as any.

Zootopia (2016).

Several animated anthropomorphic animals at a desk.
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Okay, maybe I'm a little biased here, but why not? Zootopia is probably one of the best animated movies from the last decade, and there's so much to this world that it's practically begging for a sequel.

True Lies (1994).

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis embracing.
IMDb | True Lies via IMDb

Not the first movie that comes to mind when you think of James Cameron (or Arnold Schwarzenegger, or Jamie Lee Curtis for that matter). But still good and fun. And possibly the subject of a reboot.

Step Brothers (2008).

The "Did we just become best friends?" scene from Step Brothers.
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A sequel to this quotable comedy could either be exactly what we need in this world, or just a plain disaster. But you know what? I would personally be willing to take that risk.