What is it about sequels and spinoffs that audiences seem to love these days? For years, especially recently, sequels have become all the rage as they are churned out left and right. Just by looking back on last year,most of the highest-grossing movies of 2024 were sequels, and it seems people can’t get enough of them. Maybe every popular film should get a sequel, right?
Well, a sequel doesn’t seem necessary for the following ten iconic movies below. These perfect classics told the stories they wanted to tell and did them flawlessly.Trying to continue the story wouldn’t be as good or simply wouldn’t work, and any attempt would just be a cash grab trying to milk these films' success.Some of these tell open-and-shut stories; othershave incredible cliffhangers, but all tell incredible tales that don’t have to keep going. From kid’s flicks and blockbusters to horror classics and Best Picture winners, here are ten movies nobody wants to see a sequel to.
10’The Goonies' (1985)
Directed by Richard Donner
First, let’s talk aboutThe Goonies, the beloved 1985 kids' adventure classic directed bythe late great Richard Donner. Since its release, this charming, wildly fun, and hilarious piece of ’80s nostalgia has entertained fans for years. Its jokes, characters, and memorable moments never get old and continue to attract newer audiences today.
The Goonieshad already told its story and closed it perfectly with a happy finale that saw the characters celebrate the end of their adventure. While it does seem nice to think of a sequel where some of our favorite goonies like Chunk (Jeff Cohen), Brand (Josh Brolin), and Data (Ke Huy Quan) go on another adventure or pass the torch to the next generation, might make for an entertaining idea,a continuation simply couldn’t capture the magic of the original no matter how much a filmmaker would try.It’s fun from start to finish and honestly doesn’t need to continue any further.
The Goonies
9’Up' (2009)
Directed by Pete Docter and Bob Peterson
Disney Pixar has fascinated audiences with heartwarming and beloved films that have become modern classics. But one that continues to be highly enjoyed andoften cited as one of Pixar’s bestis 2009’sUp. It is a charming tale about an elderly widower, Carl Fredricksen (Edward Asner), who lifts his house up with balloons and takes it on a journey to South America to fulfill a childhood promise. A unique adventure story with amusing comedy and a few emotional hits, it continues to be a cherished masterpiece.
While technically, there isan eight-minute short sequel calledCarl’s Date, released in 2023,there are no plans to make a full-length sequel to Up any time soon, especially with the passing of the great Ed Asner, and also because there’s no need for it.The movie concludes with a touching scene that shows Carl’s promise has been fulfilled and that he’s finally moved on with his life. This one ends on a soaring high note, finishing without any room or need for a sequel.
8’The Big Lebowski' (1998)
Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen
The Coen Brothers' 1998 comedy masterpieceThe Big Lebowskiis one of themost celebrated and quoted movies in history. This cult classic is a must-watch for most movie lovers because of its brilliant writing, hilarious comedy, iconic lines, and memorable characters. It’s one with a fanbase that grows as the years go by, and why not with so many parts that keep viewers coming back to it?
Though it has a strong following, does it really need a sequel? Continuing the “Dude” Lebowski’s (Jeff Bridges) and Walter’s (John Goodman) story now seems unlikely and unnecessary, as it already has a decent end and couldn’t go any further.A sequel today might generate some buzz, especially if most of the cast and the Coen return to make it, but chances are it wouldn’t affect audiences as much as the original.For now, it’s just one masterpiece that improves with age.
The Big Lebowski
7’The Graduate' (1967)
Directed by Mike Nichols
One of the greatest coming-of-age movies of all timeisMike Nichols’The Graduatefrom 1967, a powerful comedic drama starring Academy Award winnersDustin Hoffmanand the lateAnne Bancroft. It’s one of the most essential films in cinema, one with fantastic writing, Oscar-winning direction, and award-worthy performance, all of which come together to tell one incredible story.
The Graduateis simply perfect from start to finish. Butits ending made this one stand out and continues to be debated over the years. It ends with a somewhat thought-provoking conclusion that, at first glance, might seem happy but slowly becomes more complex and requires some extra thought to figure out what will happen to the two main characters going forward with their romance.Regardless of how you view this finale, the ending madeThe Graduatesuch a compelling and enduring classic.Having a sequel that answers the possible ambiguity of the conclusion would ruin its legacy.Sometimes, it’s best to leave some questions unanswered.
The Graduate
6’E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial' (1982)
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Visionary filmmakerSteven Spielberghas had our attention for decades with his long list of thrilling and highly revered classics. One that frequently gets brought out as one of his most timeless isE. T. the Extra-Terrestrial, the beloved sci-fi kids' adventure flick about a friendly alien who accidentally gets left behind on Earth and sparks an incredible friendship with a young boy who helps him find his way back home.
It’s one of the most iconic and highest-grossing films of all time, one that most movie lovers recognize. Its story andmemorable happy endinghave become burned in our memories, and it’s hard not to enjoy the film during rewatches. This is why having a sequel simply wouldn’t work: any attempt would just appear as a nostalgia-baiting cash grab with no actual reason for existing other than to generate high box office numbers.There’s no real way to continue the story without seeming repetitive or soulless.Overall,E. T. the Extra-Terrestrialis one of those movies that should remain untouched.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
5’The Princess Bride' (1987)
Directed by Rob Reiner
There’s always something aboutThe Princess Bridethat keeps audiences returning for more. Indeed, this charming,beloved comedy cult classicis hard not to enjoy. It’s a wonderful film, full of iconic moments, characters, and dialog that has never been forgotten since its release. It came along at just the right time to amaze viewers with its open-and-shut love story, so why continue it any further?
Although many people seem to love this film, they aren’t crying for a sequel toThe Princess Brideprimarily because it left no room or need for one. The magic of this original can’t be replicated in a sequel or reboot.It’s a timeless story with performances and scenes that are already perfect and couldn’t continue in an extra story, as what’s already been perfected once truly can’t be repeated.As Vizzini (Wallace Shawn)would put it, a sequel to The Princess Bride would just be “inconceivable” to fans of the first movie.
The Princess Bride
4’The Thing' (1982)
Directed by John Carpenter
Anyone who calls themselvesa fan of horror movies needs to seeJohn Carpenter’s masterpieceThe Thingevery now and again. Praised for its intense scares, chilling atmosphere, and jaw-dropping effects, this is a truly memorable horror experience that can be watched again and again and still leave fans coming back for more. But it’s partly thanks to its bleak and iconic ambiguous ending.
The Things' conclusion has strongly been a subject of debatefor many years since its release in 1982, ending with the final two survivors of an alien attack who, exhausted and knowing they will soon freeze to death in the Antarctic elements, choose to stay in place, not knowing whether one of them may be an alien in disguise. While, technically, there have been several continuations of this ending in several comics and even a popular 2002 videogame, there isn’t a live-action or full-length sequel, which may be for the best.One of the greatest strengths of this film is that it makes viewers fear the unknown, and having an ending where they never clearly understand who is human and who is not is honestly more terrifying than anything a sequel can come up with.LikeThe Graduate, it’s best to leave this ending up to interpretation.
3’The Shawshank Redemption' (1994)
Directed by Frank Darabont
Hailed as one of the greatest motion pictures of all time,Frank Darabont’sThe Shawshank Redemptionis a movie experience truly one to remember. It’s a powerful tale full ofhope and uplifting drama. This iconic story, based on a short by authorStephen King, has never dwindled in popularity over the years. It only increased as newer audiences kept coming to appreciate the magic this one creates when watching it.
This has everything, from great performances and iconic scenes to one of the most satisfying happy endings in movie history. Unlike the source material, it tells its story flawlessly without anything left unanswered. Would a sequel to this one even work?While it might seem interesting to see what happened to the main characters, Andy (Tim Robbins) and Red (Morgan Freeman), after their happy reunion after leaving Shawshank, there’s no need to continue their story much further because it already ended on a high note. Creating a sequel, especially now, would be baffling and serve no purpose other than to try to be a desperate moneymaker. But it’s doubtful anyone would want to go see it.
The Shawshank Redemption
2’Inception' (2010)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolan’sInceptionhas been the go-to for mind-bending entertainment since 2010. It’s a pulse-pounding action thrill ride that has and continues to blow audiences away with its Oscar visuals and unique concept about dream-altering realities. From start to finish, it’s an amazing journey that perfectly ends on a tense cliffhanger as the audience is left to wonder whether one of the main characters, Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio), is awake and happily reunited with his family or ifhe is still trapped in a dream.
This is one of the greatest ambiguous endings in recent movie history and keeps the film coming back up for discussion and debate among cinema buffs.It ends with a fascinating question that, thankfully, will never have a definitive answer, asNolan has no plans of ever making a sequel toInceptionany time soon, and honestly, it is for the best.No matter the answer, a sequel would undoubtedly ruin the intriguing mystery the ending has created. Overall, it’s a powerful film that is undoubtedly a modern classic. It’s perfect and doesn’t need to continue with another installment.
1’Forrest Gump' (1994)
Directed by Robert Zemeckis
Finally, can anyone really see a sequel toRobert Zemeckis' 1994 masterpieceForrest Gumpactually work? This one is an absolute delight that has been loved by many cinema lovers for years with its charming story of the lovable Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) as he unintentionally becomes involved in several key events of most of the 20th century.
A sequel to this beloved modern classic seems highly unlikely and unnecessary, not to mention it would ruina perfectly good ending.Following Forrest living through the late 20th century up to the present just doesn’t feel right and wouldn’t be as compelling or emotional as his journey through his early years. Plus, the end of his journey in the ‘94 film concluded on such a heartwarming high note that it gave a definitive end to his story and to all the other characters he interacted with.Honestly, this one needs to be a stand-alone picture. It’s a perfect story and will continue to be one of the best in cinema history.
