Sequels are supposed to keep the magic alive, but more often than not they fizzle out faster than a dodgy firework. According to review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, these are officially the worst sequels ever made, with four entries from the same franchise taking up space on the list.

From baffling plots to wooden acting and franchises that simply didn’t know when to quit, these films prove that bigger isn’t always better. Here are the 13 worst movie sequels of all time, and why critics couldn’t stand them.

1. Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2 (2004) – 0%

This one has gone down in history as not just a terrible sequel, but one of the worst films ever made. The plot sees a group of talking toddlers with superpowers taking on an evil media mogul. Critics slammed it as “bizarre,” “painful,” and “utterly unwatchable.” The fact that it somehow made it to cinemas still baffles many.

2. Return to the Blue Lagoon (1991) – 0%

The first Blue Lagoon was already controversial, but its sequel completely missed the mark. Starring a young Milla Jovovich, the film tried to recapture the tropical romance of its predecessor, but ended up delivering a dull, lifeless story weighed down by awkward performances. The island might have been idyllic, but the movie was anything but.

3. Staying Alive (1983) – 3%

After Saturday Night Fever became a cultural touchstone, a sequel was inevitable. But instead of gritty disco realism, audiences got John Travolta strutting through Broadway musicals under the direction of Sylvester Stallone. Critics tore it apart for being overblown and empty, with Rolling Stone calling it “a sequel in search of a point.”

4. Highlander II: The Quickening (1991) – 0%

The original Highlander was a cult hit. Its sequel, however, is widely regarded as one of the most incomprehensible follow-ups ever. The fantasy story suddenly turned into a sci-fi mess involving aliens, ozone layers, and plot holes big enough to drive a truck through. Even the cast admitted it was terrible, with star Christopher Lambert reportedly calling it “a disaster.”

5. Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol (1987) – 0%

By the fourth instalment, the once-popular Police Academy franchise had run out of steam. The gags were stale, the slapstick was forced, and even diehard fans started to lose patience. Still, Hollywood kept churning them out, and as you’ll see, this wasn’t the last time the series would appear on this list.

6. 365 Days: This Day (2022) – 0%

The original 365 Days was already slammed as one of Netflix’s worst films, but this sequel managed to sink even lower. With a nonsensical plot, wooden acting, and endless slow-motion shots of luxury lifestyles, it felt like a perfume ad that never ended. Critics described it as “utterly joyless” and “a disaster in every way.”

7. The Ring 2 (1999) – 7%

The first Ring was chilling, clever, and genuinely scary. The sequel? Not so much. Rather than building on the eerie mystery of the cursed videotape, The Ring 2 drowned itself in confusing subplots and cheap jump scares. What should have been a terrifying continuation ended up being an exercise in frustration for horror fans.

8. The Gallows Act II (2019) – 0%

The original Gallows wasn’t a critical darling, but it at least delivered a few creepy moments. Its sequel, however, was panned as a flat, joyless affair with almost no scares. Critics said the characters were so bland you didn’t care what happened to them, a death sentence for any horror movie.

9. Atlas Shrugged: Who Is John Galt? (2014) – 0%

The final entry in the Ayn Rand-inspired trilogy was doomed from the start. By part three, audiences had long since lost interest, and the film collapsed under cheap production values, bad acting, and a muddled story. Critics dismissed it as a confusing mess that failed even its target audience.

10. The Crow: Wicked Prayer (2005) – 0%

Following Brandon Lee’s tragic yet iconic performance in the original The Crow, expectations for sequels were always high. Unfortunately, Wicked Prayer – starring Edward Furlong and David Boreanaz – was universally condemned. With its clunky plot, poor performances, and bargain-basement visuals, it was branded an insult to the original.

11. Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach (1988) – 0%

Taking the cops to Miami should have livened things up. Instead, it highlighted just how far the franchise had fallen. Sun, sand, and slapstick couldn’t hide the fact that the formula was wearing dangerously thin.

12. Police Academy 6: City Under Siege (1989) – 0%

By the sixth film, audiences had seen every gag the series had to offer. Critics panned this entry as lazy and uninspired, with even fans admitting the laughs had completely dried up.

13. Police Academy: Mission to Moscow (1994) – 0%

The final nail in the coffin. Sending the hapless recruits to Russia was supposed to inject new life, but instead it became the most notorious flop of the bunch. Critics said it was “embarrassing” and “painful” – a far cry from the goofy fun of the original.