Worst to First: Ranking the Sequels of 1988


15. Poltergeist III
Rotten Tomato Score: 18%
Domestic Gross: $14,114,488

Place in Franchise: 3 of 3 (not counting the 2015 remake)
Years Since Last Movie: 2
Actors Replaced: The whole Freeling family save for Carol Anne
Summary: The original Poltergeist was produced (and some say ghost-directed) by Steven Spielberg.  It was released in 1982 the same year a E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial.  As part of his contract for that movie, Spielberg wasn’t allowed to direct another movie that year.  Many believe he got around that clause by producing Poltergeist and giving the directing credit to Tobe Hooper.  Watching the movie, Spielberg’s influence is pretty obvious.
The Spielberg touch helped make Poltergeist the 8th highest-grossing movie of the year.  Four years later, neither Speilberg nor Hooper were around for the sequel.  Most of the cast returned for Poltergeist II: The Other Side with the exception of  Dominique Dunne who played the oldest daughter in the original.  Tragically, Dunne was murdered by her boyfriend after the release of the first movie.
The sequel was panned by critics and grossed less than half of the original at the box office.  But it was still profitable enough for the studio to attempt a cheapie follow-up.  The budget for Poltergeist III was slashed by more than 50% which meant replacing most of the cast.  The third movie saw Carol Anne visiting her aunt and uncle (played by Nancy Allen and Tom Skerritt).  Lara Flynn Boyle, trying to find her way after the end of Twin Peaks, joined the cast.  Zelda Rubinstein and Heather O’Rourke were the only returnees.
Sadly, young O’Rourke died at the age of twelve shortly following filming.  The actress had been sick for several months and was receiving treatment throughout the making of the movie.  But her illness had been misdiagnosed.  According to the hospital, O’Rourke died in surgery.  Following the tragedy, writer-director Gary Sherman had no interest in completing the movie, but obviously the studio needed to recoup their investment.  The ending was changed with a double standing in for O’Rourke.  When the movie was ultimately released, MGM had a difficult time marketing it.  They instructed Allen and Skerrit not to do interviews so as to avoid questions about O’Rourke’s death.

Next: “Crocodile” Dundee II

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jeffthewildman
6 years ago

None of the sequels were anywhere near great. A few were passable. I did like Rambo III better than First Blood Part 2, because it wasn’t overrun with all the jingoism that was so prevalent in that one.

jeffthewildman
6 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

Right. Although I did like it better, It’s not a movie I feel the urge to go back to. Of the four Ramboes, First Blood is the only one I re-visit every once in a while.

jeffthewildman
6 years ago
Reply to  jeffthewildman

You are correct about it being off the charts in terms of violence. It wasn’t the comic book violence of the 2nd and third either. It was stretch that R rating violence. I’d rank it lower than First Blood and very slightly ahead of III. But on the whole, Rambo could’ve stayed retired. Yeah, the speech at the end of First Blood is one aspect that should’ve been left out. It did indicate that jingoistic cartoon direction the series would take from that point on. ,

robbushblog
robbushblog
6 years ago

The only sequel in this whole thing that I like is THE DEAD POOL. What a year of stinky sequels!

robbushblog
robbushblog
6 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

I count 15 sequels from 1998, with slightly better choices overall. There are quite a few stinkers though.

robbushblog
robbushblog
6 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

I can’t wait until we do 2017 and cover its 40 sequels!

robbushblog
robbushblog
6 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

Ha ha! Lebeau, Jr.?

robbushblog
robbushblog
6 years ago

2017 had 21 sequels in the top 50 of highest box office grossers.

jestak2
Editor
6 years ago

Now this is a really thin crop of sequels. The Dead Pool is watchable, and some people find it at least better than the previous Dirty Harry film. I will probably get to Return to Snowy River some day, as I have always liked the first film in the series. Since I’m not really into horror films none of the horror franchise installments are familiar to me. And the remainder are mostly films that would induce me to turn the TV off if I stumbled into watching them—there aren’t even any of them that qualify as cheesy-fun movies.

Craig Hansen
Craig Hansen
6 years ago

This might be the worst batch of sequels that I have ever seen – and the fact that they all come from the same year is mindboggling. I would agree with what a couple other readers stated before, The Dead Pool is the only film on this list that is at least watchable. Far from great, but at least watchable. Oh, that reminds me, the bandmembers of Guns N’ Roses make a quick cameo, in the funeral scene if I remember correctly. You cannot miss Slash’s black tophat in the crowd.

Craig Hansen
Craig Hansen
6 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

A better year, sure, but no Guns N’ Roses cameos in funeral scenes either.

Craig Hansen
Craig Hansen
6 years ago

I have a deep, unbiding love for the original Arthur film; it’s such a sweetly charming comedy, and Dudley, Liza and John Gielgud are delightful in it, the Oscar wins and nominations (Gielgud, Dudley, Best Song and Screenplay) were all well earned in my eyes. Its one of those personal favorites that I always return to every few years. To be honest, I’ve always heard what a lousy movie Arthur 2: On The Rocks was and have just always avoided it like the plague. I figure why tarnish my appreciation for the original? Would it be hyperbole to suggest Caddyshack… Read more »

Craig Hansen
Craig Hansen
6 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

I didn’t learn about the original plan for Ramis to write and Rodney Dangerfield to star until more recently, and I have to admit at least on paper I kinda do wish that had happened. Who knows, maybe it would have worked, maybe it wouldn’t have. But I do know that Dangerfield was on fire in the original Caddyshack. Also, nothing could ever be worse than the actual Caddyshack II that we got, so there’s that too. What do you think Lebeau, could a sequel starring Rodney, written by Ramis, have possibly worked? What’s your opinion on that?

robbushblog
robbushblog
6 years ago

The only good thing about CADDYSHACK II was Dyan Cannon. She was sexy in it. That’s it though. It has no other quality.

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