41 Years Ago Today, A Notorious Flop Was Released (And It Changed How We Talk About Movie Sequels Forever)

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A movie’s lasting impact isn’t always about how well it does in theaters. Sometimes, a film becomes famous for creating a certain style – like Blade Runner, which wasn’t a box office hit but practically invented the cyberpunk look and influenced tons of other creative works. Other times, a movie changes everything by introducing groundbreaking visual effects, as Tron did. And then there are the films remembered for how they unintentionally changed the way we view sequels, often in a funny and meme-able way.

Ever jokingly call a movie sequel “Electric Boogaloo”? You can thank the movie Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo for that! Released on December 19, 1984, it was the follow-up to the popular breakdancing film Breakin’. While Breakin’ 2 was still profitable, earning over three times its production cost, it didn’t perform as well as the original. However, it did give us a now-famous phrase we still use to describe unexpected or unnecessary sequels.

How Breakin’ 2 Made Electric Boogaloo So Much More Than Just a Dance Style

These days, calling a sequel “Electric Boogaloo” is a common joke. It’s become a well-known phrase in popular culture, showing up in everything from TV shows (like the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia episode “Chardee MacDennis 2: Electric Boogaloo”) to internet memes. The phrase usually implies that whatever it’s describing is over-the-top or a bit ridiculous, a connection stemming from the movie Breakin’ 2.

The story behind Breakin’ 2 is interesting because the sequel came out very quickly after the first Breakin’ movie. The original, released on May 4, 1984, was a surprise hit, earning $38.6 million. It was inspired by a 1983 documentary about hip hop in Los Angeles. While the first movie didn’t have a complex plot – it mainly followed a ballet dancer, Kelly, who joins forces with street dancers Ozone and Turbo to compete in a dance contest – it was an enjoyable film. Its success led to a fast turnaround for the sequel – studios wanted to take advantage of the momentum!

While the first Breakin’ movie had a simple dance competition storyline, Breakin’ 2 went in a completely different direction. The original dancers, Kelly, Ozone, and Turbo, are back, this time trying to save their local community center from a greedy developer who wants to build a mall. The film features some over-the-top dance numbers – including dancers appearing to walk on the ceiling – but despite being released quickly after the first movie, the breakdancing craze had already begun to fade. Critics didn’t like it, and the sequel’s title, Electric Boogaloo, unexpectedly became a running joke. The term ‘Electric Boogaloo’ actually refers to a type of funk dance, and also to the nickname of actor Michael “Boogaloo Shrimp” Champers, who played Turbo. But it quickly became shorthand for any silly sequel, and people have been using it that way for over forty years!

Despite Being More Famous For the Joke It Created, Breakin’ 2 Is Surprisingly Fun to Watch

Though Breakin’ 2 is best known for the “Electric Boogaloo” meme, it’s a mistake to write it off completely. Yes, the movie was clearly made to follow up on the success of the first Breakin’, but it’s surprisingly enjoyable. It’s over-the-top and a little silly, but there’s a genuine sweetness to it. Despite a weak and predictable plot, the film is genuinely funny and heartwarming. Plus, the dancing is really good! It’s fun to watch the group of street dancers come together to put on a show and save a local landmark from a greedy developer who wants to build a mall. Breakin’ 2 gave us a famous catchphrase, but it’s also a worthwhile and entertaining film.

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2025-12-19 20:44