7 Sci-fi Franchises That Should Have Stopped After One Movie

Generally speaking, if a movie’s initial release performs well financially, studios often find it justified to expand into a franchise, even though subsequent installments might not match the quality of the original or may seem illogical continuations. These seven series, in particular, could have benefited from stopping after their debut instead of prolonging the storyline.

24 Years Ago, Fans Started Begging for an Ending to One Video Game Series

On September 6th, 2001, the highly anticipated sequel to the acclaimed game Shenmue, titled Shenmue II, hit the shelves. However, it took fans another 18 long years to get their hands on the next installment, Shenmue III. Despite being released only two years after its predecessor, Shenmue II ended up leaving a significant cliffhanger in the gaming world, becoming one of the most famous unresolved storylines. Fans of Shenmue II were left hanging, eagerly awaiting a resolution to the narrative for nearly two decades.

Conjuring: Last Rites Sets Franchise Box Office Record in First Day

Based on Variety’s report, The Conjuring: Last Rites earned a staggering $34.5 million domestically on Friday, September 5th, which includes Thursday preview earnings as well. This impressive figure marks the highest single-day gross in the Conjuring Universe, significantly outperforming the $22 million generated by The Nun in 2018.

Deadpool’s Avengers: Doomsday Rumors Addressed by MCU Co-Star

The last occasion where Ryan Reynolds portrayed Wade Wilson was in the 2024 blockbuster “Deadpool & Wolverine”, during which Channing Tatum made his first appearance as Gambit. In an interview with Variety (through ComicBookMovie), Tatum addressed the speculations about a Deadpool-Avengers: Doomsday collaboration, and he currently feels it’s unlikely due to Reynolds’ overwhelming workload, stating, “I believe he’s quite occupied. He’s got around 15,000 assignments.

10 Most Iconic Anime Weapons, Ranked

Regardless of perspective, it’s indisputable that the medium is abundant with various types of weapons. If you’re talking about cartoon violence, yes, it’s there. However, the anime world boasts an arsenal bursting at the seams with distinctive weaponry, making it challenging to single out the ones that leave a lasting impression when it comes to picking a favorite or remembering some of the most captivating. Nevertheless, there are definitely certain weapons that many anime fans remember fondly as being particularly iconic. With that said, let’s rank a few standout examples!

The MCU Will Break a Major 14-Year Trend Next Year

Ever since the debut of The Avengers in 2012, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes have consistently pursued a common objective, although there have been moments when they were unclear about their purpose. However, with this objective now behind them, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) faces the challenge of replacing it with another goal that’s equally significant. Finding such a replacement won’t be simple, considering it must follow a storyline that started approximately 14 years ago and revolutionized cinema as we know it.

Death Note: Will The Live Action Netflix Series Still Happen?

In 2022, the makers of the popular series Stranger Things, known as the Duffer Brothers, announced they were partnering with Netflix to develop a new live-action television show based on Death Note once more. The project even secured screenwriter Halia Abdel-Megui, best recognized for her work on Miss Annity. However, in April 2026, the Duffer Brothers signed a four-year deal with Paramount, indicating their departure from Netflix around that time. As Stranger Things is set to release its final episodes this year, there’s been no recent news about the Duffer Brothers’ vision for Death Note’s characters Ryuuk and Light. Though this doesn’t guarantee the project’s cancellation, it leaves the future of the live-action adaptation uncertain.

I Recently Started Reading King Of Ashes, And I Just Know The Netflix Series Adaptation Is Going To Be Fire

Although the popular author has written many acclaimed books, this is the first one I’ve had a chance to read. So far, I’m only one-third of the way through it, but the compelling narrative and vivid imagery have piqued my curiosity about whether it will be turned into a film or TV series. In fact, it appears that Netflix has plans for a series adaptation, which is exciting as the story already seems tailor-made for the big screen, with its cinematic elements evident from the outset.

REVIEW: “The Conjuring: Last Rites” (2025)

According to the accounts documented in the case files of Ed and Lorraine Warren, renowned paranormal investigators and demonologists, the Conjuring films depict their relentless efforts to aid troubled families confronting malevolent supernatural forces. This fourth installment, titled Last Rites, is promoted as “the case that concluded it all”, and with its compelling narrative, it seems to serve as a fitting conclusion for the series, offering another high-quality addition to the franchise.