The 80s was a decade when cinema exploded. Multiplexes spread across the country, more movies than ever were being made, and Hollywood would hit a goldmine of iconic films that captured the hearts of a generation—films that defined genres with memorable moments and unforgettable one-liners. But, like any good thing, some of these classics had sequels that should’ve never left the studio’s office. Whether it was nostalgia gone wrong, an ill-advised shift in tone, or a cash grab in search of a fleeting audience, some sequels were best left unmade. So, grab your popcorn and your sense of disbelief as we dive into the sequels of 80s movies that truly didn’t need to happen.
Caddyshack II (1988)
First up I have a sequel considered to be one of the worst of all time. Caddyshack II would arrive 8 years after the original in 1980. That movie was a critical and financial success and regarded again as one of the iconic comedies to come from the genre. Despite most of those responsible for the success of the original moving on, a sequel would come and fail miserably.
There were many factors to the failure of Caddyshack II. First both Murray and Dangerfield were not coming back and Chevy Chase only agreed to come on for a cameo. Ramis’ script had been rewritten several times, so it wasn’t really his and front and center, the rating was dropped from an R-rating to a PG-rating. Something that completely sanitized any chance at capturing the comically edgy humor the first Caddyshack thrived on. And really this sequel instead of being lightheartedly humorous like the first, was an exercise in showcasing the difference between dumb fun and dumb jokes. The attempts at humor and jokes in this movie are better served on the playground if at all because despite the familiar faces this sequel was a complete failure and a reminder that striking lightning in a bottle twice is nearly impossible.
Coming 2 America (2021)
Next up is a sequel that would come 33 years after the release of Coming to America in 1988. I think many people would say Coming to America is an iconic film from the 80s, one of Murphy’s best, and still a laughable comedy. Many of the original cast members would return for Coming 2 America in 2021 but they were not able to relive the magic.
To me this movie just felt tired from the opening scene and with a softer PG-13 rating and writing that lacked a fresh sense of humor. Some of the choices of this story I think actively served to undercut the original classic just for the sake of trying to rouse a cheap laugh and it failed. The supporting characters outside of Snipes do little to add to this watered-down sequel. Much of it is a reliance on retreading old bits from the first film that worked, and where the first film was just being hilarious, this movie struggles to be funny and from start to finish you can feel it is desperately trying. Murphy and Hall land a couple chuckles, the larger dance performances are entertaining as well, but this movie struggles to find its purpose and a connection to its core audience.
Fletch Lives (1989)
This next sequel is a case where there was plenty of potential for one given the concept of the first. Just 4 years earlier Fletch charmed audiences and Chevy Chase delivered one of his most amusingly grounded performances. He was back for this sequel yet Fletch Lives from 1989 ended up being a complete misfire as a sequel.
I’m a lifelong fan of Chevy Chase. I love his comedic timing, his snarky personality and his ability to do physical comedy. Fletch is one of my favorite Chase movies but I just could never get into the lazy tone of the humor in Fletch Lives. Instead of clever wittiness fueling all the silly comedic antics Fletch Lives is a series of low hanging fruit attempts at laughs and it fails at nearly every level. Instead of Chase being funny Fletch Lives is a movie where you can actually see him desperately trying to be funny and when that is the case for a comedian it’s a lost cause. Fletch Lives should’ve delivered another clever caper for Chase to bumble his way though. Instead, this sequel completely shifts the tone, relies on racial and sexual stereotypes for humor only to end up being too stupid to even be considered offensive.
Teen Wolf Too (1987)
Teen Wolf is one of those bizarre fantasy comedies that had no business being as successful as it turned out to be. The studio, trying to ride momentum, would release Teen Wolf Too just 2 years later in 1987. Jason Bateman would star in his feature film debut and this sequel would end up being one of the most commonly mentioned films when talking, cash-grab sequels.
Thinking the charm and charisma of Michael J. Fox could simply be replicated in a sequel was a big mistake. This assembly line follow-up simply attempts to repeat everything that worked in the first film only to learn the hard way that some comedies are just designed to be a standalone. Teen Wolf Too moves the setting to college, Teen Wolf is now the cousin, the sport is swapped from basketball to boxing, and all the same joke attempts are brought back around. This movie has musical dance performances, creepy effects, and waves of comedy that come off instantly stale. There are some familiar faces in this one and to his credit Bateman has his moments as a rookie. But Teen Wolf Too is a sequel buried under the weight of its own laziness as it finds no true point for existing and struggles to deliver a genuine laugh.
Conan the Destroyer (1984)
Arnold Schwarzenegger introduced himself to the world with Conan the Barbarian in 1982. A gritty, violent sword and sorcery adventure. A sequel was inevitable, and the backdrops were filled with possibilities for new stories. Which is why a wave of shock would sweep across audiences when Conan the Destroyer would release with a soft PG rating in 1984.
I loved the first Conan film, and I’ll admit as a kid I enjoyed this sequel as well. But as an adult watching the first then watching this sequel is a huge step down. Conan the Barbarian is a sanitized, campy adventure flick with a focus on dumb humor and to me it plays almost like a porn parody of Conan the Barbarian without, of course, the porn. The action feels watered down and lacking the impact of the first. All the intensity of the original is essentially wiped out and even with Arnold commanding the lead this is a tough movie to sit through as the juvenile atmosphere lacks a lot of nostalgic charm. The cast has its moments, and some of the action lands with appeal, but overall, this kid-ified version of Conan was a complete miss and certainly a franchise killer for Arnold.
Porky’s II: The Next Day (1983)
Teen sex comedies boomed during the 80s and few could rival the iconic status of Porky’s. A lewd and lighthearted time-period comedy with a charming level of innocence to all its depravity. A sequel would be tough, but studio pressure was on Porky’s II: The Next Day would be released, and the result would be a bland, boring sequel that lacked any memorable appeal.
One of the main problems for the Porky’s sequel was the fact time had moved on despite it only being two years and another 50s set sex comedy featuring unneeded racially themed laughs and lazy sex themed jokes that instead of coming off as comical in the first, felt like recess jokes the second time around. The story lacked enthusiasm, and the humor was just too dumb this time around to result in a successful sequel that could solidify its existence. It feels like it’s going through the motions and trying to pull in cash off the tease of raunchy humor only to deliver waves of stupid laughs that lack the hidden wittiness that the first Porky’s was able to use to its advantage to capture audiences just two years earlier. But that shows the difference a film can see when it has a likable collection of characters.
Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise (1988)
Like many 80s kids Revenge of the Nerds was a staple growing up and all the characters were memorable. Only three years would pass before Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise would be released, much of the cast returned but the result was a far cry from the fun-loving charm the first was able to deliver in 1984.
This was a tough one as I do have a guilty-pleasure soft spot for this movie. But when watching the first then moving over to this one it’s easy to see the noticeable decline in entertainment and overall skillfulness of the comedy. The gang is back and is some of the charming banter between them and all their antics as they hit Fort Lauderdale. But it also makes this movie feel a bit past its prime. They’re older, working through the same comedic shticks and the story is simply lacking the pop of the original. Many of the attempts at humor are retreads and as well and we all know even a hilarious joke is slightly less hilarious the second time. So, when trying to sit through this sequel that is blatant in its recycling of the dumb laughs it is fatiguing. So, when comparing it to the raunchy brilliance of the original this sequel flounders magnificently.
Meatballs Part II (1984)
Meatballs was released in 79, it does have a 70s vibe to it, but it was a movie I watched countless times during the 80s. A summer camp setting for a dumb teen comedy is also a concept plentiful for hilarious sequels but when Meatballs Part II would come out in 1984 it would prove not to be one of those hilarious sequels.
Bill Murray is another actor I’ve been a fan of since I was a kid and if it was ever overlooked how Murray’s comedic timing, and sense of humor was able to elevate Meatballs. Look no further than Meatballs Part II. A sequel that takes things back to camp but also tries to bring all the same juvenile jokes as well. Meatballs was written with a level of comedic skill that is frankly missing from part two. You don’t really care about any of these characters, and their antics in the story fail to bring anything unique to the table. It’s PG like the first but traditionally with ineffective comedies like this one there are some raunchy jokes to lean back on. But even that was missing from this sequel that’s pretty much instantly forgettable. Which is too bad when you have actors like John Larroquette and Richard Mulligan who are capable of laughs when the writing allows.
Mannequin Two: On the Move (1991)
Much like he would help accomplish with Weekend at Bernie’s Andrew McCarthy was able to take a ridiculous premise with Mannequin in 1987 and along with Kim Cattrall was able to turn it into a charming romantic comedy. Neither would return for Mannequin Two: On the Move in 1991 and the result is another film considered to be one of the most ill-advised cash grabs.
Delivering a successful sequel from a ridiculous original concept is hard enough on its own. When the stars of the original do not return the result is more often than not a complete failure and that would describe Mannequin Two: On the Move. A film that blatantly tries to wash and repeat what worked in the first movie only to dumber and shockingly even more ridiculous results. What this sequel delivers is what most would have expected from the first. But it was a surprise hit. If you close your eyes, take a swing and hit a home run. Thinking you can do it again will be a foolish exercise and that’s what Mannequin Two is. It’s painfully dumb despite the charm of Swanson. Most of the sight gags and joke attempts land with a thud and there’s nothing worse than sitting through a dreadful comedy that is completely recycled but wants you to think it’s fresh.
Weekend at Bernie’s II (1993)
Closing out this list is a sequel that was probably the most head scratching when Larry, Richard and the body of Bernie Lomax would return for Weekend at Bernie’s II in 1993. The first film was a lighthearted, summer adventure of comical mishaps that already required a massive suspension of disbelief, so it was surprising when the studio attempted a retread 5 years later.
Weekend at Bernie’s is one of those delightfully silly comedies from the 80s that certainly holds its place in pop culture. Being able to pull off an adventure of comedy with two guys parading around a dead guy was a gamble that paid off through the charm of McCarthy, Kiser, and Silverman. Now delivering a successful movie on a longshot and thinking it could be done again is a true testament to the arrogance of studio execs and their low perception of audience intelligence. Using a voodoo themed plot to bring Bernie back for a completely new film and thinking it wouldn’t have to be filled with all the same attempts at humor is a true sign of ignorance and the result, like Caddyshack II, could be regarded as one of the worst sequels out there. However, given the premise of its first film Weekend at Bernie’s II is leaps and bounds the most ill-advised.
Anthony J. Digioia II © 2025 SilverScreen Analysis & Movies Never Say Die
