Watch These 5 Shockingly Bad Sequels After ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ – You Won’t Believe #3!

This week, “Joker: Madness of Two” is in the limelight for all the wrong reasons. Despite having Oscar winner Joaquin Phoenix and pop sensation Lady Gaga, this sequel to the 2019’s wildly successful “Joker” about the infamous comic-book villain failed to impress either critics or viewers.

The film has unfortunately joined the ranks of the less desirable club of unsuccessful sequels to blockbuster movies. This list is filled with baffling failures that didn’t manage to capture the originality and unique aspects that made their predecessors hit.

Despite being clear flops, many of these sequels have garnered a cult following who appreciates their “it’s so awful it’s great” appeal. The following are some noteworthy “bad sequels” that are available for streaming. Proceed with caution.

“The Exorcist II: The Apostate” (VOD, multiple platforms): This sequel to “The Exorcist”, widely accepted as the most terrifying movie ever, was a disappointing horror-free experience in 1977. Linda Blair returned in her role as Regan McNeil, who was once possessed by the Devil. However, the absence of “The Exorcist” director William Friedkin, writer William Peter Blatty, and original star Ellen Burstyn, combined with creative differences, spelled disaster for “The Apostate,” which premiered four years after the original.

Iconic line: Regan, when questioned about her issues: “I was possessed by a demon. Oh, it’s OK. He’s gone.”

“Jaws 2” (Netflix): The 1978 sequel to Steven Spielberg’s chilling classic about a killer great white shark was essentially a soggy rehash of the original. This time, a group of annoying teens end up as fodder for a new predator. “Jaws” star Roy Scheider managed to rescue most of the kids but couldn’t prevent the sequel from tanking at the box office. However, compared to the slew of subpar sequels that followed, “Jaws 2” seems like a masterpiece, with the series thankfully concluding with 1987’s “Jaws: The Revenge.”

Iconic line: Frightened teen Tina Wilcox: “Sh-sh-sh-SHAAAAARRRRRRK!”

“Grease 2” (Paramount+): The incredibly popular musical “Grease” was succeeded by this 1982 continuation of the hormonal escapades at Rydell High. John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John and most of the original cast decided not to return for “Grease 2.” Pat Birch, the choreographer from “Grease,” stepped into the director’s role, infusing the weak plot and forced humor with a number of lively dance numbers, including the catchy sex education class song “Reproduction.” The film wasn’t a total flop — it marked the first major role for Michelle Pfeiffer and the acting debut of writer-director Pamela Adlon (“Better Things”) who played the Pink Ladies’ mascot.

Iconic line: The “Cool Rider” lyric, “If he’s cool enough, he can burn me through and through, whoa, whoa, whoa.”

“Staying Alive” (Hoopla, Pluto TV): In this awkward 1983 sequel to “Saturday Night Fever,” John Travolta returned, more buffed and polished, reprising his Oscar-nominated role as disco icon Tony Manero. Tony exchanges his disco shoes for Broadway auditions, landing a role in a grandiose dance show. Sylvester Stallone’s attempt to blend a musical with a “Rocky”-like plot falls flat, blatantly copying “A Chorus Line” and “All That Jazz,” stripping Tony of his charm and turning him into a self-obsessed jerk. Even the few Bee Gees songs on the soundtrack fail to impress.

Iconic line: The director of the big dance show: “The name of the show is ‘Satan’s Alley.’ It’s a journey though hell, which ends with an ascent into heaven.”

“Speed 2: Cruise Control” (Starz): This month, the American Cinematheque is commemorating the 30th anniversary of “Speed,” the thrilling Keanu Reeves-Sandra Bullock action flick about a young cop who must prevent a bus from exploding by keeping its speed above 50 mph. Its lackluster sequel is unlikely to receive a similar honor. “Speed” director Jan de Bont returned, but Reeves declined while Bullock agreed for a reportedly whopping $12 million paycheck. Her new beau is the daredevil LAPD cop Alex Shaw (Jason Patric). They embark on a cruise where the deranged villain John Geiger (Willem Dafoe) has planted a bomb. The result was a cinematic hiccup.

Iconic line: Geiger shouting, “Annie, come back! You’re my hostage!”