10 Movie Sequels That Should Only Happen On 1 Specific Condition

With so many unnecessary sequels and prequels coming out these days, it is a pity that amazing franchises and standalone movies that deserve another installment are still overlooked. While Little Women and Back to the Future are long overdue for sequels because there are more stories to tell, declining franchises like Transformers can’t die fast enough. Of course, a story getting its continuation is hugely dependent on a variety of factors, such as the cast’s availability and desire to reprise their roles, the director’s willingness to return to the specific universe, acquiring a suitable budget, and everything connected to the production process as a whole.

Still, when the desire to make something great for audiences is there, everything else is just a matter of putting in the effort and coordinating schedules, which is difficult, but not impossible. However, it is essential to tread carefully when it comes to sequels, as they can be both a blessing and a curse. A sequel might ensure the franchise’s survival and continued success, and it might destroy the long-standing legacy of the original film just as easily. That is why some movies should only get sequels if specific conditions are met at the earliest development stage; otherwise, it is just not worth the trouble.

RELATED: 10 Movies That Need a Sequel Right Now

10 Terminator 7 If James Cameron Is More Fully Involved

Latest Installment — Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)

The 1980s through to the 1990s were The Terminator franchise’s glory days, as evidenced by the overwhelming success of the first two installments, directed and written by James Cameron. Having seen his brainchild’s suffering in the next three movies, the renowned filmmaker returned as a producer for Terminator: Dark Fate. While the latest movie was reminiscent of the masterpieces in terms of the atmosphere, Cameron’s partial involvement wasn’t enough to truly revive The Terminator. If another movie ever happens — and Terminator 7 has been announced — the filmmaker needs to be the one to write and direct it.

9 Harry Potter 9 If It’s Not Based On The Cursed Child

Latest Installment — Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)

If Lord Voldemort’s nickname in the Harry Potter community is He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is The-Play-That-Must-Not-Be-Named. While there is a definite craving for a sequel to Harry Potter that focuses on the next generation, the potential scriptwriters shouldn’t come anywhere near the play’s fanfiction-inspired plot. It might have been written by J.K. Rowling herself, but it was so poorly received that it would only do the sequel harm, should it come to fruition. Harry Potter 9 could be a beautiful story about the children of the original protagonists without any Time-Turner drama.

RELATED: 20 Harry Potter Moments That Made Fans Cry

8 Barbie 2 If Greta Gerwig Is Writing & Directing

Latest Installment — Barbie (2023)

Greta Gerwig’s record-breaking Barbie became the biggest hit of 2023. Based on Mattel’s doll of the same name, the movie was a success because it managed to do the impossible — it met all the high expectations outlined for it. From Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling’s stellar performances and brilliantly choreographed musical numbers to the incredible storytelling and a deep message about self-love, Barbie has left its mark on the film industry, making viewers wish for more. Barbie 2 would have a hard time beating the original, but if Gerwig was behind the wheel, the sequel would have every chance to outdo its predecessor.

7 Little Women 2 If Jo & Bhaer Don’t End Up Together

Latest Installment — Little Women (2019)

The most notable thing about Gerwig’s Little Women is the ending. Louisa May Alcott, the author of the original novel, was pressured into sending Jo March off into the sunset with Friedrich Bhaer. In Little Women‘s meta ending, Gerwig stuck to the writer’s initial idea and made Jo a successful, husband-free novelist, alluding to Jo being Alcott herself. There are two canonical sequels to Little Women, which focus on Jo and Friedrich’s children, but that would be the wrong path for Little Women 2. The only way that the sequel could work is if it told an original story, perhaps that of Jo’s struggles as an aspiring writer at a time when women weren’t allowed to have careers.

6 Top Gun 3 If Tom Cruise Returns

Latest Installment — Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Released 36 years after the original movie, Top Gun: Maverick did well for itself both critically and commercially against all odds. Tom Cruise, along with the other cast members, reprised his role and brought the beloved story back to the screens, and that is exactly what has to happen in a potential Top Gun 3. While another sequel is very likely, it would have to be a worthy successor to the first two installments or even surpass them, and that is not going to be easy. Top Gun 3 would need to be a direct sequel to the last film — not a reboot or a prequel — starring Tom Cruise as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell.

5 Legally Blonde 3 If Elle Runs For President

Latest Installment — Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003)

Legally Blonde may have been marketed as a silly romantic comedy, but it ended up jumpstarting the franchise that inspired women around the world to become lawyers. While the third installment is officially confirmed and in the works, there are no details about the plot available, and the release date for Legally Blonde 3 has not been set yet either. Reese Witherspoon is reprising her role as Elle Woods, but there is one more thing that would make the movie an instant hit — following up on Elle’s wink, indicating that she intends to live in the White House, from the last movie and seeing Elle run her presidential campaign next.

4 John Wick 5 If There’s A Great Way To Bring Keanu Reeves Back

Latest Installment — John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

John Wick: Chapter 4 concluded the titular character’s story, and John went out on a high note. The fourth movie saw an epic battle between John and Caine, which ended with both of them being granted their freedom from the High Table. Unfortunately, John was too severely injured to survive. There is a demand for John Wick 5 both from audiences and creators, and the only condition that would need to be met is Keanu Reeves’ involvement in the film. However, there is a catch: John’s tragic ending in John Wick: Chapter 4 was so perfect that it would take a truly standout idea to bring the character back without ruining his legacy.

3 The Devil Wears Prada 2 If Andy Finally Dumps Nate

Latest Installment — The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

The Devil Wears Prada was an iconic movie that perfectly encompassed the fashion industry, but it had one significant drawback. In the finale, Andy and Nate found their way back to each other, and that was an oversight. Even though Andy was right to leave the luxurious world of Miranda Priestly behind, she didn’t have to take her whiny, gaslighting boyfriend back. Nate was nothing but an unsupportive buzzkill during the entirety of their on-screen relationship, and he did nothing to redeem himself. If there is ever The Devil Wears Prada 2, Andy needs to set her priorities and self-esteem straight and break up with Nate for good.

2 Spy 2 If Melissa McCarthy & Jason Statham Both Come Back

Latest Installment — Spy (2015)

Spy helped Melissa McCarthy break into the mainstream, and it was a genuinely funny movie that breathed a new life into the action thriller genre with its roles-reversed perspective. McCarthy and Statham made for an unlikely power duo, and their chemistry alone carried the film. Despite the original movie receiving critical acclaim and achieving box office success, Spy 2 has been shelved for years, during which McCarthy gained the status of a Hollywood A-lister, which is why the sequel isn’t likely to happen after all. On the off-chance that it does, the only request for Spy 2 would be to reunite McCarthy and Statham on screen, and the rest would figure itself out.

1 Back To The Future 4 If Robert Zemeckis & Bob Gale Are Involved

Latest Installment — Back To The Future Part III (1990)

Both Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale have been vocal about the Back to the Future franchise never getting the fourth movie, but that has not stopped the speculation surrounding it. Back to the Future‘s last installment was released over 30 years ago, so it would be near-impossible to make a sequel as it is, but if Top Gun could do it, so can Back to the Future. It would be amazing to see Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd cross paths again in another time-traveling adventure if it was written by Zemeckis and Gale. They are the only ones who would be able to bring the characters back in a way that doesn’t ruin their respective histories.