Fourth films that ruined trilogies ….

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I’ve noticed studios really love making franchise movies – they’re almost always profitable, so they keep making them as long as the money keeps coming in. But sometimes, a trilogy is perfect as it is, and adding more films just doesn’t work. I’m going to share some examples of fourth movies that, in my opinion, really hurt otherwise great trilogies.

Matrix Resurrections (2021)

The Matrix was revolutionary, popularizing techniques like bullet time that were quickly adopted and imitated in countless films, even comedies like Shrek 2. Its blend of thought-provoking science fiction, striking visuals, and action set a new standard. While the sequels, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, weren’t as well-received, they completed the original story, and a fourth film seemed unnecessary at the time, giving the filmmakers, the Wachowskis, creative freedom. However, their subsequent projects – Speed Racer, Cloud Atlas, and Jupiter Ascending – were all expensive failures, leading Warner Bros. to be hesitant about funding more of their ambitious, but costly, films. This made a fourth Matrix film seem like a safer bet. Released in 2021, Matrix Resurrections brought back Keanu Reeves and the original cast, but failed to recapture the magic of the first film. It lacked the inventiveness and impact of its predecessors, felt too long, and was released at a difficult time for cinemas still recovering from the pandemic. While the original trilogy had earned significant revenue, Resurrections fell short, costing $190 million and earning only $159 million. Since then, the Wachowskis haven’t directed another film. Despite this, a fifth Matrix film is currently in development, but without their involvement, and likely attempting to capitalize on a previously successful, but now damaged, franchise.

 

Men in Black International (2019)

1997 was a fantastic year for Will Smith, solidifying his status as a leading man with hits like ‘Bad Boys’ and ‘Independence Day’. ‘Men in Black’, released that year alongside Tommy Lee Jones, was a massive success, earning $589 million worldwide thanks to its unique story, memorable aliens designed by Rick Baker, and the chemistry between the leads. While a 2002 sequel earned a respectable $445 million, getting Tommy Lee Jones back for a third film proved difficult. He agreed to appear only if his role was significantly reduced, leading to a storyline where a younger version of his character was played by Josh Brolin. This gamble paid off, making it the most successful film in the franchise with $654 million. However, Jones remained unwilling to return for further installments. Will Smith also experienced a string of unsuccessful films before regaining box office appeal with his role in the live-action ‘Aladdin’… until a controversial incident at an awards show. Despite this, the studio wanted to continue the ‘Men in Black’ series and cast Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson, who had previously worked together on ‘Thor: Ragnarok’. The film was directed by F. Gary Gray, known for reliable but unremarkable work like ‘Fast & Furious 8’. Unfortunately, audiences weren’t impressed, and the film only earned $253 million in 2019, becoming one of many disappointing summer blockbusters and effectively ending the franchise—at least for now.

 

Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)

Mel Gibson rose to fame as a leading actor, first gaining recognition for his action roles in the Mad Max films and demonstrating his dramatic ability in Gallipoli. He became a true Hollywood star with Lethal Weapon in 1987, which was both a critical and commercial success. This led to two sequels, released in 1989 and 1992, which continued the film’s success and began to expand the supporting cast. Joe Pesci returned as Leo Getz, though his character became increasingly over-the-top, and Rene Russo joined the cast, both appearing again in the fourth film in 1998. The series gradually shifted from focusing on Gibson and Glover’s partnership to a larger ensemble. Producers even tried to incorporate rising comedian Chris Rock, including material from his stand-up routine, though this now feels dated. While the intention was to broaden the scope of the films, adding Rock and martial arts expert Jet Li overshadowed Gibson and Glover’s dynamic, ultimately harming the series. The first three Lethal Weapon films were incredibly successful, earning $120 million, $227 million, and $321 million respectively. However, Lethal Weapon 4 earned only $285 million, ending the franchise, despite ongoing rumors of a fifth film. Gibson has since become a respected, Oscar-winning director and is reportedly taking the helm of the potential fifth installment following the death of director Richard Donner, hopefully avoiding the fate of other ruined trilogies.

 

Superman 4 : The Quest for Peace (1987)

The 1978 film Superman was a landmark achievement, revolutionizing special effects and casting the perfect Christopher Reeve as the iconic hero. It paved the way for other superhero films, notably Tim Burton’s Batman. While the first film established Superman’s origins, the second, largely directed by Richard Donner before he was replaced by Richard Lester, was even stronger, featuring a compelling villain in General Zod. The third film took a lighter approach with the addition of Richard Pryor and Pamela Stephenson, making it the weakest of the initial trilogy. However, it was the fourth film, Superman 4: The Quest for Peace, that truly doomed the franchise and Christopher Reeve’s involvement. Reeve co-wrote the script and shares responsibility for its failure. Despite the return of Gene Hackman and Margot Kidder, the film introduced Mark Pillow as the awkwardly named Nuclear Man in his acting debut. Director Sidney J. Furie, known for diverse films like The Ipcress File, seemed an odd choice for a superhero movie. The franchise had been acquired by the Cannon Group, a company focused on self-financed films and hoping for blockbusters that rarely materialized. They drastically cut the budget for Superman 4, slashing it from $36 million to $17 million. This led to reused special effects, cheap filming locations (the final scenes were shot in a junkyard in Milton Keynes), and a severely shortened runtime to maximize cinema showings. The result was a disastrous film, so bad that Reeve himself wrote in his autobiography that it was best left unmentioned. Reeve never reprised the role, and Mark Pillow’s career essentially ended after this film. Superman 4 remains one of the worst superhero movies ever made and is a prime example of a once-promising trilogy gone wrong.

 

Batman & Robin (1997)

The ‘Batman’ franchise has had a rocky history for Warner Brothers. The 1989 film, directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson, was a major success, followed by an equally strong sequel. However, things began to falter when the director and lead actors changed, bringing in Val Kilmer and Jim Carrey, whose energetic performance as The Riddler reportedly frustrated co-star Tommy Lee Jones. The series underwent another significant shift with the fourth film, featuring George Clooney as Batman in a famously criticized costume with nipples. This installment was a departure from Burton’s dark style, opting for a campy, brightly lit aesthetic and featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger delivering poorly received puns. The film was so poorly received that an audience member famously protested at a preview screening. Despite a $125 million budget, it barely broke even, leading to an eight-year hiatus. In 2005, Christopher Nolan revitalized the franchise with a gritty and realistic trilogy that became the standard for superhero films. Notably, Nolan wisely ended the series after three films, avoiding the pitfalls of many other ruined trilogies.

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2026-03-17 03:24