10 Forgotten Movie Crossovers That Shouldn’t Be

Currently, movies are extremely popular, with the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Godzilla serving as notable examples. Interestingly, many movies now share connections within a cinematic universe; it seems almost everywhere you look, there’s one. Despite this, the impressive box-office returns suggest that viewers find these connections enjoyable rather than bothersome.

It’s possible that certain viewers may overlook the instances of on-screen collaborations from years ago. Many significant crossovers, which united beloved film characters, might have slipped the minds of movie enthusiasts over time, yet they are worth remembering and appreciating.

The Monster Squad (1987)

For over a century, characters such as Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, and many others have graced the big screen in numerous films. They’ve even crossed paths on multiple occasions, from movies like Van Helsing to Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. Yet, one of the most significant and often underestimated crossovers can be found in a film that echoed the nostalgic ’80s charm of The Goonies, featuring these classic monsters: The Monster Squad.

The Monster Squad refers to a close-knit group of five admirers of classic Universal monsters, who find themselves in a fight for humanity’s survival when Count Dracula, along with the Mummy, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, the Wolf Man, and Frankenstein’s Monster, arrive in town. Despite its initial lack of critical or financial success, this film has since gained recognition as a cult classic among audiences today. In other words, The Monster Squad is a nearly forgotten and underestimated monster-themed crossover movie.

The Descendants Franchise

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, let me share an intriguing twist in the world of cinema: The phenomenal triumphs of the Avengers saga and other blockbuster franchises paved the way for a brilliant concept brewed within the Disney Channel. By tapping into their colossal treasure trove of classic characters and tales, they orchestrated an epic crossover spectacle, featuring their most prominent personalities at the time. The Descendants franchise, spanning four sequels and spinoffs, was the fruit of their labor, and it became a global sensation, attracting a new wave of viewers to the channel.

In a fresh take, the movie titled “Descendants” features Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, Booboo Stewart, and the late Cameron Boyce. This film revolves around the offspring of beloved Disney villains attending a prestigious school alongside the children of heroic Disney characters and princesses. The production exudes the same heartfelt attention to detail, catapulting it into the network’s next major success. Subsequent movies on the channel would emulate its musical style, spawning similar films like “Z-O-M-B-I-E-S“. Although not for everyone, “Descendants” remains one of the most significant crossovers in Disney Channel history.

Glass (2019)

Viewers have become accustomed to recognizing that certain films by M. Night Shyamalan, such as “The Sixth Sense,” “Signs,” and “The Village,” are distinguished for their game-changing plot twists. This was also true for his 2017 hit movie “Split.” In this movie, a man, portrayed by James McAvoy, abducts three girls. However, they soon realize that this isn’t an ordinary kidnapping because the man has a severe multiple personality disorder, one of which is a violent creature with almost superhuman abilities. Fortunately, one of the girls manages to escape, but the man gets away. The film was both enjoyable and successful, but what caught fans off guard was the appearance of Bruce Willis in the end credits.

Bruce Willis played leading roles in Shyamalan’s films, “The Sixth Sense” and “Unbreakable.” In “Unbreakable,” a man learns he possesses an invincible superpower and decides to put it to beneficial use. Interestingly, the closing credits of “Split” hinted that it was a covert sequel to “Unbreakable,” setting up their showdown in the final film, “Glass,” which premiered in 2019.

Karate Kid: Legends (2025)

The Karate Kid, a beloved classic from the ’80s, is often fondly recalled for its nostalgic appeal. The movie, featuring Ralph Macchio, spawned two sequels and a follow-up titled The Next Karate Kid. Fast forward over two decades, in 2010, a reboot of the film starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan was released. Despite being set in China instead of California, this reboot could still be considered part of the original film’s narrative continuity.

In time, the Cobra Kai franchise would revive the Karate Kid legacy, initially streaming on YouTube Red before moving to Netflix over six seasons. To the delight of fans, the story wasn’t concluded there as it was announced this year that Chan’s character from the reboot will journey to California to collaborate with Macchio’s character and mentor a new Karate Kid. Remarkably, the Karate Kid films have managed to intersect themselves in this unique continuation.

Wayne’s World (1992) and Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

Wayne’s World represents SNL‘s first significant feature film and its initial grand cinematic success. Featuring Mike Myers and Dana Carvey in lead roles, this movie is an expansion of the same titled SNL sketch, where Wayne and Garth fight against a ruthless corporate executive trying to transform their show into a mere advertising version of its former self. Filled with side-splitting humor, memorable catchphrases, poignant scenes, and an engaging narrative, this film even managed to intertwine itself with an unexpected franchise in one particular joke.

In a lighter take on cross-over appearances, Robert Patrick humorously appears as his iconic character, searching for John Connor. Upon seeing him, Wayne hastily departs with a scream, and that’s the last the viewers catch of the Terminator. The movie, Judgment Day, was released a year prior to Wayne’s World, making this clever reference timely and fitting for the film.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

The movie titled “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” is a remarkable neo-noir animated production where Bob Hoskins portrays Detective Eddie Valiant and Charles Fleischer brings the character of Roger Rabbit to life. As their relationship unfolds, detective Valiant becomes embroiled in an unexpected partnership while unravelling a sinister intrigue involving murder and mystery within ToonTown. Produced by Amblin Entertainment, under the direction of Steven Spielberg, and Disney, the film creatively incorporated a variety of characters from both their universes to enrich the settings and characters. In a move that would be unthinkable today, they even introduced crossovers with Disney characters and other famous cartoon personalities such as the Looney Tunes.

The agreement was quite stringent, involving characters hailing from diverse companies like Warner Bros., King Features Syndicate, among others. These companies “lent” their characters at fixed rates. Notably, for Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny, the contract stipulated that Bugs could only share the screen with Mickey, and they had to appear for an equal duration. Despite the risky nature of this deal, they successfully executed it.

Spy Kids (2001) and Machete (2010)

As a fan, I’ve always admired the unique world that filmmaker Robert Rodriguez has crafted, even though his “Machete” films and “Spy Kids” series seem to be two distinct entities with contrasting tones and narratives. However, upon closer inspection, they share an intriguing connection: The charismatic Danny Trejo portrays the ruthless Machete in both franchises, but in very different ways.

In the “Spy Kids” series, Machete transforms into a lovable character, serving as the fun, inventive uncle who equips the Spy Kids with amazing gadgets and support. On the other hand, in “Machete” and “Machete Kills,” he’s a hardened ex-Federale seeking brutal, revenge-fueled justice. Despite these stark contrasts, it’s fascinating to see how one character can inhabit such diverse roles within Rodriguez’s creative universe.

Rodriguez has made it clear that the two characters are indeed one character portrayed differently based on genre and narrative style. While Machete’s deadly capabilities or creative gadget skills aren’t highlighted in his films, this clever character development is a favorite among fans for its contribution to the overall universe of the movies.

Ghostbusters (1984) and Casper (1995)

1995’s movie “Casper” has gradually amassed a dedicated fanbase due to its charmingly eerie ambiance and heartwarming narrative over the years. Its transition to live-action was successfully executed, boasting impressive CGI and special effects. Casper is a kind ghost who resides in a mansion in Maine alongside his three troublemaking uncles. When a specialist and his daughter arrive to investigate, portrayed by Bill Pullman and Christina Ricci respectively, they end up aiding Casper in saving the day.

Before the specialist’s arrival, the mansion’s owners attempt various methods to banish their spectral inhabitants – from consulting psychics to summoning exterminators. Among those they contact, one individual stands out as particularly suitable for this peculiar situation. In a series of amusing scenes depicting unsuccessful expulsions, Ray Stantz, a character from the initial films, flees the house. Contrary to what the theme song suggests, he is actually terrified of Casper, the benign ghost.

The Star Wars Franchise and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

This blend can essentially be summed up as some delightful appearances, but it remains a point to ponder over. In Steven Spielberg’s timeless masterpiece E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, the children make an attempt to secretly transport E.T. out of their house and back home disguised as Halloween costumes. While meandering through the streets, E.T. playfully identifies a Yoda costume worn by one of the kids.

George Lucas was extremely pleased by Spielberg’s acknowledgement and decided to incorporate the E.T. alien species into a scene in Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace. Although they are only subtly present during a large Senate hearing, their presence is noticeable enough for dedicated fans. These instances can be seen as crossovers between two of the most significant space-themed films ever made.

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)

In 2003, the film adaptation of the comic The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, published by Dark Horse Comics, was met with both box office and critical failure. Many viewers found the story uninteresting, the characters underdeveloped, and the production quality lacking. However, dedicated fans have revisited the movie to appreciate it for its unique crossover of various literary characters and acknowledge that it stands as one of the most impressive cinematic crossovers ever made.

In a departure from the comic series, The League of Extraordinary Characters assembled an elite team composed of iconic literary figures. Sean Connery portrayed Allan Quatermain, star of King Solomon’s Mines, who led this team alongside Captain Nemo. Also included were horror legends Dorian Gray, The Invisible Man, Mina Harker, Dr. Henry Jekyll, and Tom Sawyer. They came together to track down the elusive Moriarty, disguised as The Phantom, in an adventure that deserves more recognition than it currently has.

2025-04-20 03:37