I admit it: I’m a sucker for sequels, even though they’re, almost always, a major let-down, in comparison to the original. Still, I plunk down my hard-earned money in hopes of reliving the excitement and wonder of the original all over again. Unfortunately, new directors, screenwriters and actors who phone in their performances for a paycheck, disappoint over and over again. This list was compiled based on original movies that experienced great box-office power, or are cult classics. If you find this list incredibly depressing, head over to the Top 10 Best Movie Sequels to lift your spirits.

10Every American Pie Sequel

The original “American Pie” was a box office smash, is frequently listed in the Top 50 comedy films of all time and set the bar much higher (lower?) in gross-out, anatomical comedy. The two sequels, American Pie 2 and American Wedding, were also box office champs but admittedly worse that the original. Then came three (to date) direct-to-DVD releases under the same name. Due to rising production costs, the studio hired cheaper talent and skipped theatrical releases. In other words, they chose to make inferior films on purpose. Mission accomplished.

9Batman and Robin

George Clooney as a superhero? Nipples on the Batsuit but not on Batgirl? Arnold Schwarzenegger is doing a better job of governing the State of California than he did in the role of Mr. Freeze… well, almost. This is a great movie for every screenwriter in Hollywood to watch and take notes of the labored, lame, one-liners. We, the viewing public are begging you… stop! This abomination could have easily killed the franchise.

8The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull

One (hopefully) last hurrah for Indiana Jones. The action sequences involved so much CGI that you could hear the audience groan with disappointment. The producers needed to cast a rugged, manly, good-looking young actor who could possibly carry the franchise forward, and went with… Shia LaBeouf? Puhlease. Not even the venerable dream team of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas could save this one.

7Smokin’ Aces 2: Assassins Ball

Tom Beringer as an FBI agent and Vinnie Jones as an assassin, in an action-packed sequel? I’m in! Oops. If you like the idea of Tom Beringer spending 99% of his screen time as a befuddled mumbler, and seeing a pussy-whipped Vinnie Jones, this might be the movie for you. Shocking dialogue, when used properly, can enhance a scene… you be the judge. “You think you want a whole slew of kids running around, whose eyeballs are touching, because you can’t keep your hands off your sister?” Gross.

6Crank 2: High Voltage

I’ve included this movie because of the cult status the original Crank achieved. The only reason it isn’t higher on the list is because the original wasn’t that great either. We watch sequels in hopes of seeing more of the same. Crank 2 succeeds in giving us pretty much a carbon copy of the original, but fails miserably by making a horrible parody of itself. Jerky, handheld cinematography? Check. Multiple scenes where Chelios almost dies before restarting his heart? Check. Outdoor and VERY public sex scene? Check. Dark spot on Jason Statham’s filmography? Check.

> I admit it: I’m a sucker for sequels, even though they’re, almost always, a major let-down, in comparison to the original. Still, I plunk down my hard-earned money in hopes of reliving the excitement and wonder of the original all over again. Unfortunately, new directors, screenwriters and actors who phone in their performances for a paycheck, disappoint over and over again. This list was compiled based on original movies that experienced great box-office power, or are cult classics. If you find this list incredibly depressing, head over to the Top 10 Best Movie Sequels to lift your spirits.

10Every American Pie Sequel

The original “American Pie” was a box office smash, is frequently listed in the Top 50 comedy films of all time and set the bar much higher (lower?) in gross-out, anatomical comedy. The two sequels, American Pie 2 and American Wedding, were also box office champs but admittedly worse that the original. Then came three (to date) direct-to-DVD releases under the same name. Due to rising production costs, the studio hired cheaper talent and skipped theatrical releases. In other words, they chose to make inferior films on purpose. Mission accomplished.

9Batman and Robin

George Clooney as a superhero? Nipples on the Batsuit but not on Batgirl? Arnold Schwarzenegger is doing a better job of governing the State of California than he did in the role of Mr. Freeze… well, almost. This is a great movie for every screenwriter in Hollywood to watch and take notes of the labored, lame, one-liners. We, the viewing public are begging you… stop! This abomination could have easily killed the franchise.

8The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull

One (hopefully) last hurrah for Indiana Jones. The action sequences involved so much CGI that you could hear the audience groan with disappointment. The producers needed to cast a rugged, manly, good-looking young actor who could possibly carry the franchise forward, and went with… Shia LaBeouf? Puhlease. Not even the venerable dream team of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas could save this one.

7Smokin’ Aces 2: Assassins Ball

Tom Beringer as an FBI agent and Vinnie Jones as an assassin, in an action-packed sequel? I’m in! Oops. If you like the idea of Tom Beringer spending 99% of his screen time as a befuddled mumbler, and seeing a pussy-whipped Vinnie Jones, this might be the movie for you. Shocking dialogue, when used properly, can enhance a scene… you be the judge. “You think you want a whole slew of kids running around, whose eyeballs are touching, because you can’t keep your hands off your sister?” Gross.

6Crank 2: High Voltage

I’ve included this movie because of the cult status the original Crank achieved. The only reason it isn’t higher on the list is because the original wasn’t that great either. We watch sequels in hopes of seeing more of the same. Crank 2 succeeds in giving us pretty much a carbon copy of the original, but fails miserably by making a horrible parody of itself. Jerky, handheld cinematography? Check. Multiple scenes where Chelios almost dies before restarting his heart? Check. Outdoor and VERY public sex scene? Check. Dark spot on Jason Statham’s filmography? Check.