Movies that should have gotten a sequel, but didn't

Giving hope to follow-up fans everywhere, director Neill Blomkamp finally announced in 2021 that he had plans for a 'District 10.' But he also said that the movie would not be a "direct sequel" to acclaimed aliens-on-Earth movie 'District 9,' which had left the fate of its protagonists–and Earth itself–hanging in the balance.

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'World War Z' (2013) -

For a while, it looked like it was all systems go for a sequel to Brad Pitt-against-a-zombie-pandemic hit 'World War Z.' A follow-up to the blockbuster was slated, but canceled in 2019, apparently due to budget issues. Fans still hope the idea can come back from the dead.

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'The Simpsons Movie' (2007) -

Fans of 'The Simpsons' waited impatiently for the series to be made into a movie, and now they wait impatiently for a sequel.

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'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' (2005) -

It's the film that apparently brought Brangelina into existence, spelling the end to Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston's marriage in the process. The film itself was box-office gold, and fans demanded a sequel. But it looks especially unlikely in the wake of Brad and Angelina's own divorce.

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'I Am Legend' (2007) -

Will Smith is in high demand when it comes to sequels that fans would love to see happen. 'I Am Legend,' which saw Smith and his dog as the sole New York survivors of a killer plague, looked set for both a prequel and sequel, but then neither got the green light.

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'Amélie' (2001) -

Sweet French movie 'Amélie' left audiences yearning for more, but hopes of a sequel were dashed in 2019, when director Jean-Pierre Jeunet said that Paris, where the Audrey Tautou-starring movie is set, had become "too ugly."

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'The Iron Giant' (1999) -

Critics adored Brad Bird's animated film version of the Ted Hughes novel 'The Iron Man,' but underwhelming box-office results ruled out a sequel. Bird has reportedly blamed poor marketing for the financial failure, and ruled out a sequel.

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'Wanted' (2008) -

Thrilling action movie 'Wanted' left audiences with an open ending that appeared to promise a sequel. James McAvoy, who starred alongside Angelina Jolie in the movie, has said he'd like to revisit his character, Wesley Gibbon, but plans for a sequel have stalled.

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'The Goonies' (1985) -

It's one of the best-loved children's movies ever made, and there have been rumors of a sequel to 'The Goonies' for over 30 years. But much to fans' dismay, it looks unlikely to ever happen.

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'Mean Girls' (2004) -

A 2011 made-for-TV movie did little to sate an appetite for a proper follow-up to this fabulously catty teen movie. Could it still happen? Fans certainly hope so!

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'The Truman Show' (1998) -

What happened to Truman after he found out he had been living in a made-for-TV world? Audiences everywhere want to know, but so far no sequel has been promised.

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'Beetlejuice' (1988) -

Tim Burton's creepy comedy classic certainly merits a reprise, and the rumor mill has spoken of a sequel for decades. So far, no movie, but there is talk the project could really get off the ground in 2022.

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'Hancock' (2007) -

Will Smith played an a-typical superhero in another hit flick that's not been graced with a sequel. Director Peter Berg hinted at a follow-up, but fans are still waiting!

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'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' (1982) -

As much as audiences would love to see E.T. and Elliott reunited for a sequel, it doesn't seem to be on the cards. The closest fans got was a four-minute 2019 TV commercial reuniting the pair.

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'Mulholland Drive' (2001) -

David Lynch's surreal movie is so full of twists and turns that a sequel seems in order just to explain what happened in the first film. Rumors abound, but so far, no sequel.

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'Serenity' (2005) -

Based on the geek-approved space western TV series 'Firefly,' 'Serenity' won an army of fans on its release. But although the adventures have continued in comic books, a movie sequel has yet to happen.

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'John Carter' (2012) -

This Mars-set movie cost so much to make that a sequel looks unlikely, particularly as it bombed at the box office. A shame, as the original won critical acclaim.

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'Who Framed Roger Rabbit?' (1988) -

The iconic cartoon bunny and his capers in the world of crime have long called out for a sequel. Although it's yet to happen, there is talk of a sequel–or prequel–in 2022.

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'The Full Monty' (1997) -

The hit British comedy about an unlikely group of male strippers generated a Broadway musical, but never a sequel. Although fans wanted to see more, director Peter Cattaneo has said he was "relieved" that plans for a follow-up never bore fruit.

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'True Lies' (1994) -

Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, the James Cameron movie 'True Lies' was one of the biggest action comedy hits of the '90s ,but also contained some problematic depictions of terrorism. Cameron canceled plans for a sequel in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, but a TV spin-off is reportedly in development.

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'Dredd' (2012) -

Almost a decade after the release of 'Dredd,' rumors of a sequel continue to do the rounds. But so far, no planned return for the comic book hero.

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'Real Steel' (2011) -

Audiences were hooked by this boxing-robot drama starring Hugh Jackman, but a sequel has never happened despite success at the box office. Fans still swap sequel theories online, so maybe there's hope for a 'Real Steel 2.'

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'Eastern Promises' (2007) -

David Cronenberg's dark crime thriller left audiences hankering after a sequel. It appeared to be a possibility, until Cronenberg and star Viggo Mortensen declined to get involved. The planned movie is reportedly now being filmed as a standalone film, starring Jason Statham.

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'Twins' (1988) -

For all those movie fans ruminating over all the promised sequels that never came to fruition, some good news: after years of speculation, 'Triplets' is finally in the works.

Sources: (Screen Rant) (The Herald) (The Independent)

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Movies that should have gotten a sequel, but didn't

These popular films are crying out for a follow-up!

03/12/21 | StarsInsider

MOVIES Film

Some movies get sequels so bad that they fail to do justice to the original, while others leave fans hungry for follow-ups that never happen. Much-loved movies that leave audiences hanging tend to generate frenzied speculation about possible sequels, but sometimes these just never happen. Much to the dismay of fans, sometimes a sequel looks set for production, then gets stuck in studio limbo.

Ready to get lobbying the studios for a follow-up to your favorite film? Click through this gallery to discover some movies that really deserve a sequel.