Worst To Best: Movie Threequels

The magic number

By George WalesMay 18th 2012
1

Superman 3 (1983)

A low point for superhero movies and threequels alike, the Man of Steel's third outing takes a turn for the comic, with laughable results. As soon as the risible opening sequence kicks in, complete with wind-up penguins, you know that something has gone awry. Similarly, the replacement of Lex Luthor and General Zod with Richard Pryor and The Man From U.N.C.L.E's Robert Vaughn seems like a bit of a trade down.

Foreshadowing the camp theatrics that would briefly mar the Batman series, Superman 3 lurches from one misfiring set-piece to the next, with even the supporting cast displaying seemingly superhuman abilities. A pink cape wearing Pryor, skiing off the top of a skyscraper? No thanks.

1 of 15

Try This...

Latest Reviews

Comments

    • deedeedragons

      May 18th 2012, 7:22

      Come on TF Jurassic Park 3 isn't that bad. You forgot Scream 3 & it's horrible Scooby Doo style storyline. It's only saving grace is Parker Posey's manic Jennifer Jolie.

      Alert a moderator

    • Hadouken76

      May 18th 2012, 9:28

      Personally I thought, Flint Marko, was fleshed out enough in Spiderman 3, he had a poignant back story and motivations but was given little screen time thanks to STUPID VIRGINAL FANBOYS who were crying out for Venom. Yeah, you think you can make a better film? You can't even leave home and talk to women, you morbidly obese suck-a$$es. Oh, and you forgot Alien 3.

      Alert a moderator

    • ChrisWootton

      May 18th 2012, 9:29

      I didn't think Superman 3 was that bad, it was the first PG movie that I saw at the flicks without my folks. Jurassic Park 3 is no worst than the second one...

      Alert a moderator

    • 2Dglasses

      May 18th 2012, 10:15

      Die hard 3 not set at christmas? doesnt some kid say "its christmas, you could steal city hall"..? and then willis says something about a guy with a big beard and 8 reindeer and so on. also, whats with all this "bittersweet ending" for TS3? after the incinerator it was super happy, with the only slightly sad part having to give up woody also. but at leats they ended up with a new owner. Home alone 3 as a good example of 'pointless'

      Alert a moderator

    • CTurner1

      May 18th 2012, 10:26

      Where does Batman Forever fit in? In my opinion it's better than Superman 3.

      Alert a moderator

    • jeffamania

      May 18th 2012, 10:37

      A bit harsh Superman 3, Spiderman 3 and X-men 3 were not bad movies at all. Fair point, they just weren't great compared to the 2nd installment in their respective movies. I have all three and love them for what they are. Besides each of the movies have some pretty fantastic scenes. Why isn't Back to the Future here?

      Alert a moderator

    • Heisenberg

      May 18th 2012, 11:24

      @2D, Die Hard 3 was set in summer....The intro song played begins with the lyrics "Hot town, summer in the city..."

      Alert a moderator

    • gquinn81

      May 18th 2012, 11:50

      Where's Terminator 3? Surely the worst threequel of all time?

      Alert a moderator

    • 2Dglasses

      May 18th 2012, 12:00

      @Heisenberg-i stand corrected! maybe he says "its holidays" or similar... Jaws 3(d) is among the worst. why arent these lists 50 anymore? T3 again is ok, just underwhelming, not overly needed

      Alert a moderator

    • Heisenberg

      May 18th 2012, 12:05

      @2D i think you are right in that he says its Christmas, but it was more a euphemism for the fact they could do what they wanted and nick stuff without getting caught. Out of this list, i would say Jurassic Park 3 is the worst 3quel, it was pretty damn dire.

      Alert a moderator

    • FBSLewis71

      May 18th 2012, 12:11

      How on earth is Terminator 3 not in there? Absolute joke that movie.

      Alert a moderator

    • FBSLewis71

      May 18th 2012, 12:12

      @2D I think the quote is "It's like Christmas, you could steal city hall"

      Alert a moderator

    • gquinn81

      May 18th 2012, 12:17

      @2D yeah, maybe you're right. Underwhelming is the word. After the brilliance of the first two films I rememeber being almost uncontrollably excited about the third one coming out and it was just.......well, it's been said, very underwhelming.

      Alert a moderator

    • gquinn81

      May 18th 2012, 12:19

      It was a similar story with T4 as well actually...

      Alert a moderator

    • FBIMorrison

      May 18th 2012, 12:46

      Jurassic Park 3 was fairly good! I want to know more about this 'effective Pterodactyl sequence' you speak of. I can remember a great Pteranodon sequence in a giant cage...

      Alert a moderator

    • ScottFree

      May 18th 2012, 13:44

      Transformers not on the list.....although I rather liked Dark Of The Moon better than Revenge Of The Fallen...

      Alert a moderator

    • FBJRider

      May 18th 2012, 21:30

      As some people have pointed out a few terrible threequels have been left out (namely Mr. Bay's terrible third installment of a terrible franchise) but I have to agree with Toy Story 3 being the best threequel ever. It's amazing, I cried throughout most of it although I didn't know what parts were saying goodbye to childhood or worrying that Pixar was about to ruin it..

      Alert a moderator

    • FBJBlack

      May 19th 2012, 12:43

      I'm I missing the point of most of the post. The title says it worst to best. So Superman 3 is the worst threequels and toy story 3 is the best. I don't think there saying that there all c**p films just where the fit on a scale of c**p to good.

      Alert a moderator

    • ThePrestige85

      May 21st 2012, 8:29

      Hey gang, how about not including Pusher 3 as one of the better threesequels???

      Alert a moderator

    • Hadouken76

      May 22nd 2012, 18:14

      Larsons ' Millennium trilogy...

      Alert a moderator

Leave a comment