20 Movie Franchises That Were Cancelled After Only One Film

Movie studios always have high hopes for their films but not all of their releases go on to be major blockbusters. That is exactly the case with these films that were so bad they doomed any further additions to the franchise.

The Lone Ranger (2013)

The Lone Ranger went on to make $260 million at the box office but that barely covered the estimated $250 million budget. Add in some complains about cultural appropriation from casting Johnny Depp as a Native American and The Lone Ranger was doomed from the start.

Conan the Barbarian (2011)

Before Jason Mamoa went on to play Aquaman, he was part of an awful 2011 reboot of Conan. After only making 2/3rds of its production budget back at the box office, Conan was laid to rest and any future works were cancelled.

Eragon (2006)

Eragon was commercially a success at the box office as it his #1 in its opening week but that doesn’t mean that everyone enjoyed it. Due to widespread criticism, Disney shelved any further titles but a live-action adaption is scheduled to hit Disney+.

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)

After losing Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow Pictures over $150 million, it is no surprise any further films were dismissed. Before the first film became a total abomination, Warner Bros. had planned to release 6 total movies.

Planet of the Apes (2001)

What could go wrong when you have Tim Burton directing a film starring Mark Wahlberg? Apparently, a lot can go wrong. Planet of the Apes was commercially a success but a confusing plot line and mixed reviews ultimately shut down any further films until the 2011 reboot, Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

Jumper (2008)

While 3 more books have been released in the original series, talks of a sequel have gone dormant in recent years despite raking in $140 million more at the box office than the movie cost to film.

Godzilla (1998)

Mixed reviews after its release led to an early grave for the first modern American adaptation of Godzilla back in ’98. Considered a box office disappointment, all subsequent films were cancelled and an animated show was created to continue the story.

The Divergent Series: Allegiant (2016)

Everyone was looking to cash in on the success of The Hunger Games but fail actually succeeded. One of the biggest disappointments from the dystopian franchise came when the 4th movie was cancelled, ultimately leaving the trilogy ending on a cliffhanger.

Talks of a TV show were in the works but later scrapped after Shailene Woodley said she would not reprise her lead role.

Battlefield Earth (2000)

When a movie goes down as “one of the worst of all-time”, no one should expect subsequent films to follow. Especially when the movie is so bad that it leads to the production studio being sued and forced to shut down.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

No one asked for a Spider-Man remake after the Tobey Maguire trilogy but that is exactly what we got in 2012. Following poor box office performance, Sony cancelled any further plans for The Amazing Spider-Man and the Sinister Six.

Batman & Robin (1997)

Following poor critical and financial reception, George Clooney vowed to never play Batman again. While a sequel titled Batman: Unchained was in discussion, the film was later scrapped.

Terminator: Genisys (2015)

We all have a fond memory of The Terminator from our childhood but movie studios keep trying to tarnish it every chance they get. Even though Terminator: Genisys made the 2nd most money of all the films in the franchise, critics were not a fan of the film and its sequels and TV show spin-off were cancelled.

Terminator: Genisys (2015)

We all have a fond memory of The Terminator from our childhood but movie studios keep trying to tarnish it every chance they get. Even though Terminator: Genisys made the 2nd most money of all the films in the franchise, critics were not a fan of the film and its sequels and TV show spin-off were cancelled.

Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013)

After railing to recoup the budget of the first film, Screen Gems abandoned any further films in 2014.

Superman Returns (2006)

Superman Returns recieved positive marks upon its release but that wasn’t enough to keep the studio around. While a 2009 sequel was planned, it was cancelled and the series was rebooted in 2013.

The Golden Compass (2007)

Hollywood once again overshot their target when they created the Golden Compass. Originally slated as a trilogy, New Line Cinema shelved further films in 2008 citing financial concerns over a global recession.

The Last Airbender (2010)

M. Night Shyamalan made lifelong enemies when he released The Last Airbender in 2010. Following universal backlash and low profits, the planned trilogy was cancelled.

John Carter (2012)

What began as one of the most expensive films ever made turned into one of the biggest flops of all-time for Disney. John Carter was originally planned as a trilogy but Disney abandoned all hope after the first film tanked.

The Green Lantern (2011)

Even Ryan Reynolds wants to forget this catastrophe. Fortunately for all of us viewers, The Green Lantern trilogy was cancelled after the first film flopped but we wont be able to forget that one as long as we live.