Hollywood tends to be dominated by movie sequels, with stories now commonly being told over various parts. Whether it’s the likes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe or books such as Harry Potter that get split into multiple movies, audiences now expect to see sequels to their favorite stories. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for every film because, over the years, some brilliant ones have left people wanting more, only never to deliver it.
The Iron Giant
Brad Bird’s animated classic, The Iron Giant, tells a heartwarming story of friendship between a boy and a giant robot. The movie provides fantastic depth for animation, opening up the characters that left lots of potential for a sequel. It would’ve been easy to dive back into this world and the connections created with more adventures, but sadly, it never happened.
Inception
Christopher Nolan’s mind-bending thriller Inception left audiences questioning the nature of reality. The movie purposefully didn’t give a clear ending, and audiences have debated what it meant for years. People are desperate for a sequel to get an answer from the original movie.
Big Hero 6
Disney often likes to create sequels nowadays, whether it’s for Moana, Frozen, or The Incredibles. However, one world that hasn’t provided more stories is Big Hero 6, which is surprising. Considering how popular superhero movies are nowadays, diving into these characters once again in more detail. It would’ve been easy to put new characters and powers in with different villains, and the dynamics could’ve changed as the group got older.
The Goonies
A timeless adventure for all ages, The Goonies follows a group of kids on a treasure hunt. It’s a fantastic adventure movie that is still beloved today, and seeing that group do different things would’ve gone well. Given how much Hollywood relies on nostalgia nowadays, it’s surprising that people have yet to opt to make a sequel in modern times for this with the characters as adults.
Hancock
Any movie featuring Will Smith will likely perform well at the box office due to his popularity. That’s why following up on Hancock could’ve been a beneficial decision. This was a unique superhero movie because the character had many flaws, and seeing him overcome them meant a sequel could’ve had a different feel. The ending also hinted at the possibility of expanding the universe, but it never came to be.
A League of Their Own
Sports movies aren’t always the easiest to create sequels for, but A League of Their Own could’ve been an exception. It focuses on a group of women playing baseball during World War II and draws people in from an emotional perspective. But a sequel following their lives after this point would’ve been enjoyable due to how much genuinely changed in the world at this time.
The Nice Guys
Bringing Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe together for a buddy-cop film was risky, but their natural chemistry meant that people loved The Nice Guys. It could’ve quickly been brought back for a sequel, as nobody was bored of their connection n by the time the original was over.
Serenity
Joss Whedon’s Serenity continued Firefly, the beloved television show. People wanted more from that world, and the decision was made to tell it in a movie. But considering how popular this franchise was and the easy possibility of expanding the storylines and plot, it seems like a missed opportunity not to do more here.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair
While several Narnia books were adapted into films, The Silver Chair never saw the light of day. Fans of C.S. Lewis’s series were left disappointed, as the story offered a fresh adventure with beloved characters. Considering how many movies were made, seeing them continue would’ve been nice.
Sky High
This family-friendly superhero film about a school for super-powered kids was charming and creative. The unique school setting offered endless potential for further stories, making it a perfect candidate for a sequel. It would’ve been easy to dip in and add new characters and storylines while blending what came before.
Jumper
Jumper was a unique concept that focused on the idea of teleportation. The movie created an amazing world but didn’t resolve all the conflicts, leaving people hungry for more. Only that never ended up happening.
The Mask of Zorro
Zorro is an iconic character; any fantasy story like this is perfect for more stories. It’s easy to put a character like Zorro in danger, raising the stakes while adding more details to the characters and existing relationships. But it didn’t happen, and this original movie stands alone.
The Rocketeer
If the original is good, anything remotely related to space makes for a good sequel. That’s why The Rocketeer should’ve had another story. The lead character is only young in the original, and telling his story later on would’ve opened The Rocketeer up to a potential franchise.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
This groundbreaking blend of live-action and animation created a unique world where cartoons and humans coexisted. The film was packed with fun cameos, leaving people wanting much more from the world as it was so fun to dive into. It would’ve been easy to blend the silliness of cartoons with the seriousness of adult movies in more ways, perhaps blending in different genres.
The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
Guy Ritchie’s stylish spy thriller, based on the 1960s TV series, had charm, humor, and action. This film had all the potential to become a genuine franchise, following in the footsteps of James Bond or the Bourne movies. Seeing the cast travel the world and take on different missions would’ve been easy, but sadly, it has not happened.
The Princess Bride
While The Princess Bride is a beloved classic that stands alone perfectly, fans have long wished for a continuation of the adventures of Westley and Buttercup. The world could easily have been revisited, and it wouldn’t have been challenging to have added more characters to this to make it feel fresh.
Megamind
Creating sequels in the animation genre is easy because the characters are often vibrant, and the world is vast. That’s certainly the case with Megamind, which flips the superhero genre on its head by having a supervillain become a hero. It’s a unique premise, and audiences want to follow that journey further.
Big Trouble in Little China
John Carpenter’s cult classic perfectly combined a variety of genres. The film ended openly, so people wanted more from this world.
Dredd
The gritty and stylish Dredd, starring Karl Urban, was a hit with fans of the comic book character. Its dystopian world and Urban’s performance made it a prime candidate for further hard-hitting sequels, but it wasn’t quite as glossy and mainstream as other comic book films, which probably hurt its chances.
Stardust
Nowadays, when a movie is based on a book, it’s unsurprising to see it split into multiple films. That wasn’t the case with Stardust, though, despite the amazing fantasy adventure that takes place. This setting was perfect for more quests, but they never came.
Flash Gordon
Flash Gordon was a cult classic from the 1980s, particularly because of its iconic soundtrack. It was over-the-top but in the best way possible. There was an adventure for people to enjoy, which should’ve been explored further.
