7 Sci-fi Movie Sequels We’re Still Waiting to See After Years

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Many classic science fiction films have launched long-running franchises, sometimes unexpectedly. Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 film, 2001: A Space Odyssey, spawned two sequels (though they aren’t well-known), and that same year saw the release of the first Planet of the Apes movie, which continues to get new installments. Plus, many recent sci-fi films, like Avatar, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the new Dune movies, are created with the intention of building entire franchises around them.

Even though science fiction is popular with audiences worldwide, not every promising movie gets a chance to continue its story. It’s frustrating when a film clearly sets up a sequel, but one never happens, and the wait can be agonizing. Some fans have been hoping for continuations for over ten years, and sadly, some of those movies may never be made.

7) DISTRICT 10

Unlike many other films with potential sequels, District 9 actually established a clear path for a follow-up. The ending showed a new camp, “District 10,” being built for the alien creatures, and confirmed that Sharlto Copley’s character, Wikus, was still alive, even after fully transforming into one of them. It’s a fantastic conclusion to a great movie, and some worry a sequel could diminish its impact. However, the writer and director, Neill Blomkamp, has always maintained that a sequel will eventually happen. What’s particularly striking after a seventeen-year wait is that a continuation of the story feels even more important and relevant now than it would have just a few years after the original film’s release.

6) Return of the Killer Klowns From Outer Space

The Chiodo Brothers created a classic sci-fi horror comedy, Killer Klowns From Outer Space, 38 years ago, relying heavily on practical effects. Despite its success, a sequel never happened right away – which was unusual for horror films in the 80s. Over the years, several attempts have been made to revive the story, but these alien clowns haven’t returned to the big screen. It’s disappointing because the movie has grown from a cult hit into a well-loved horror staple, and there are still plenty of creative, circus-themed ways to scare audiences.

5) Mars Attacks! Again!

After Tim Burton’s 1996 film Mars Attacks! didn’t perform well in theaters, a sequel seemed unlikely. However, many still think a follow-up would have been great. The movie, based on 1960s trading cards, successfully brought the cards’ scary images to life, but didn’t use all of them, leaving plenty of ideas for a new film. The real reason Mars Attacks! didn’t launch a franchise was simply bad timing. It came out just six months after Independence Day, which gave audiences exactly what they wanted: a serious, realistic alien invasion movie. Mars Attacks! was a dark comedy where famous actors met hilariously gruesome ends, and that didn’t appeal to audiences at the time (its release near Christmas didn’t help either). Despite its initial failure, fans still hope for a continuation of the story.

4) Dredd 2

The 2012 film Dredd, a fantastic adaptation of the 2000 AD comics and starring Karl Urban, unfortunately didn’t find the audience it deserved. While critics and fans who saw it loved the movie, several factors beyond its control led to its disappointing performance at the box office. Releasing it in September, a historically slow month for big films, and marketing it as a 3D experience at a time when audiences were losing interest in that format both hurt its chances. Plus, the Judge Dredd franchise hadn’t gained a strong foothold in the US, and many still remembered the poorly received Sylvester Stallone movie from the 90s.

Even though the movie Dredd didn’t do well in theaters, the people who worked on it and its fans remained hopeful about continuing the story. Both Karl Urban and screenwriter Alex Garland (who some believe secretly directed the film) have become more well-known, which could make it easier to secure funding for a sequel. While Garland has moved on to other projects, Urban is still actively pushing for another Dredd film.

3) The Actual Cloverfield Sequel

J.J. Abrams has said the idea for Cloverfield came to him after a trip to Japan, where he noticed all the Godzilla merchandise. This made him think America needed its own iconic monster, and that thought eventually led to the creation of the film. While the movie and its unique viral marketing campaign took the concept in new directions, the series hasn’t yet delivered on the promise of either a direct sequel or further development of the alien creature featured in the original Cloverfield.

The eighteen-year wait for a sequel was frustrating enough, but the 2018 film The Cloverfield Paradox felt like an even bigger disappointment. While technically part of the Cloverfield series, each movie has been mostly its own story. The film, which premiered on Netflix immediately following the Super Bowl, only offered a brief cameo from the monster in the original film. It didn’t feel worth the long wait then, and it still doesn’t really add up to much beyond a fleeting moment of fan service.

2) More Chronicle

The early 2010s saw found footage filmmaking become incredibly popular, expanding beyond just horror films. A prime example was Chronicle, which successfully combined the found footage style with the superhero genre, creating something truly original. Given the continued dominance of superhero movies in popular culture, a sequel could have explored many different directions, but unfortunately, it never materialized after the 2012 release and the idea has remained on hold.

There are a couple of key reasons why a follow-up to this movie never materialized. The director, Josh Trank, and the writer, Max Landis, both faced controversy and haven’t had many successful projects lately. Plus, the “found footage” style that the original used isn’t popular with mainstream audiences anymore.

1) Edge of 2morrow

Among the films mentioned, Edge of Tomorrow has received the most consistent updates regarding a sequel, coming from director Doug Liman and star Tom Cruise. While the movie wasn’t a huge hit when it first came out in 2014, it’s gained a larger audience through streaming, which has increased demand for a follow-up. Interestingly, it’s also the newest film on this list, meaning fans haven’t been waiting as long for news about a potential sequel.

The main problem with making a sequel to Edge of Tomorrow isn’t the plot. A script actually exists, even though the first movie had a definitive ending. The real challenge is scheduling the busy actors and director. Doug Liman, Tom Cruise, and Emily Blunt are all in high demand, which ironically makes it difficult to find the time to film a movie about repeating the same day.

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2026-02-10 20:45