web counter
 

2011 Will Have a Record Number of Film Sequels: But How Many Do You Actually Care About?

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Miscellaneous | Comments (42)

o-january-jones-talks-rushed.jpg

In their 2011 movie preview, Boxoffice Mojo counted 27 sequels that will be released in 2011, a new record, topping the 24 released in 2004 (19 were released in 2010). It should be a great year for studios, movie blogs, fast-food chains with movie tie-ins, and the film industry as a whole. The only people really getting screwed in this equation are the moviegoers.

The average moviegoer watches sequels. She’s about 150 times more likely to watch a sequel than an original Sundance hit. We watch because the marketing hype commands it. We watch because many of us want to have an informed opinion on even the worst movies, if those movies are going to be part of a conversation. We watch because of the world’s collective herd mentality. Because more times than not, the more exposure we have to a movie, the more likely we’re going to see it. It’s statistics, man. Many of you may be exceptions, but you’re outliers. It’s not going to affect the statistics.

I’m going to see all of these, with the exception of the kid’s movies, because it’s my job to know about these things. If it weren’t my job, I know myself well enough to know that I’d see about 13 of the 27, and probably be disappointed in over half that I did watch. Maybe 14, because I’m just masochistic enough to watch Johnny English Reborn of my own free volition. How many am I actually looking forward to this year? Honestly? Five. Piranha 3DD because the first was one of the most enjoyable experiences I had in a theater in 2010; Sherlock Holmes because, even if it doesn’t measure up to the British series, that shit is like candy, and now that candy is flavored with Noomi Rapace; Mission Impossible IV, but only because of Jeremy Renner; X-Men: First Class because, even though I’m not a comic-book guy, I think Matthew Vaughn is a brilliant goddamn director; and The Muppets because they are The Muppets.

How about the rest of you? How many are you honestly truly excited about seeing in 2011?

Second Movies
Cars 2
Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules
The Hangover Part II
Happy Feet 2
Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil
Johnny English Reborn
Kung Fu Panda 2
Piranha 3DD
Sherlock Holmes A Game of Shadows

Third Movies
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son
Madea’s Big Happy Family
Paranormal Activity 3
Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Fourth Movies
Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Scream 4
Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn (Part One)

Fifth Movies

Fast Five
Final Destination 5
Puss in Boots
X-Men: First Class
Winnie the Pooh

Seventh Movies
The Muppets
Rise of the Apes

Eighth Movie
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two









Each Time You Like, Share, Tweet or Stumble a Pajiba Post, An Angel Does the Paul Rudd Dance

← This Week, the "Glee" Kids Get All Up in the Bieber | Will 2011 Be the Year of the Gorgeous Woman on TV? →









Comments

I can't decide which is the crappiest title here - "Chipwrecked" or "Hood Versus Evil."

Posted by: Mattfactor at February 17, 2011 11:11 AM

(First two minutes that should be spent writing actually spent staring at that cleavage up there.)

…

(Then two minutes spent contemplating Fassbender’s awesome.)

…

THEN time to post.

I am ‘excited’ about:
Hangover 2: The Hungover
X-Men: Silver Cleavage
And that’s about it.

Posted by: zeke the pig at February 17, 2011 11:12 AM

The Hangover II
Kung Fu Panda 2
Sherlock Holmes 2
X-Men First Class
Harry Potter 7.b

Posted by: Fredo at February 17, 2011 11:12 AM

Second Movies
The Hangover Part II (Zach Galifianakis, 'nuff said.)
Johnny English Reborn (Maybe on Netflix. Maybe.)
Kung Fu Panda 2 (Probably Netflix.)
Piranha 3DD (Even minus Adam Scott, 'cause why not?)
Sherlock Holmes A Game of Shadows (I'll be dragged, but not kicking or screaming.)

Third Movies
None. Suck on that a one time!

Fourth Movies
Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol (Depends on the trailer.)
Scream 4 (If Alison Brie gets killed in the first reel, I'm Audi 5000.)

Fifth Movies
X-Men: First Class

Seventh Movies
The Muppets (Mostly for Jason Segel.)
Rise of the Apes (Depends on trailer.)

Eighth Movie
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two (Duh-doy.)

And this doesn't even count the non-sequels I'm probably going to see: Captain America, Thor, Cowboys & Aliens, Battle: Los Angeles, Super 8... Funny, at least in terms of summer fare, this seems like a much better year for everyone, including moviegoers.

Posted by: RobP at February 17, 2011 11:15 AM

It makes me really fucking sad that all those animated movies are sequels. Terrible sequels to terrible movies. Damn it all to hell.

Posted by: Figgy at February 17, 2011 11:17 AM

I'm only excited about X-Men and Harry Potter. The rest can go rot in hell.

Posted by: Figgy at February 17, 2011 11:22 AM

Two: X-Men and Harry Potter. And even those I'm not really "excited" about.

Posted by: Todd at February 17, 2011 11:23 AM

Winnie the Pooh!
Can't wait and its not CGI!

Posted by: madclawmannn at February 17, 2011 11:26 AM

Three. X-Men: First Class, re: Vaughn, McAvoy, Fassbender. HP7.2, because. And, sigh, freaking Pirates 4, because I love Geoffrey Rush, and because JUDI DENCH IS IN THE DAMN MOVIE. Bonus points for Ian McShane and Penelope Cruz.

I wish I could be excited about Sherlock Holmes 2, because I adore Mr. Downey, but the first one was lousy. Having said that, I'll most likely see it? Maybe?

Posted by: Samantha at February 17, 2011 11:27 AM

Dear Agent Bedhead:

Re: Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked

You have my sympathy in advance.

Sincerely,

TK

Posted by: TK at February 17, 2011 11:27 AM

I will see the "X-Men" movie, but that's about it.

There's a new megaplex opening up in my town that's walking distance from The Donut Palace. It's going to be a movie theater/bowling alley/bar.

I am looking forward to a renaissance of movie going after a many years of seeing very few films in the theater.

Posted by: Forbiddendonut at February 17, 2011 11:40 AM

Deathly Hallows Part Two.
Only movie on that list I will see.

Posted by: DominaNefret at February 17, 2011 11:45 AM

Xmen First Class, On Stranger Tides, Harry Potter Deathly Hallows 2. That's it. Those are the only ones I can see myself going to the theater to see. Although I'm going to be dragged to Transformers 3 against my will (my wife inexplicably loves giant robot movies) I'm hoping it's better than the godawful cacophony of part 2.

Posted by: TylerDFC at February 17, 2011 11:47 AM

All the animated ones I'll see (mother of 2) and Final Destination 5 (5 really?) I'll see too cause I'm a dork like that. I'll see the new twilight because I'm also one of those people and the new Harry Potter because of the kids again.

Posted by: Sarah at February 17, 2011 11:52 AM

Oh yeah, and Scream 4. I saw the rest of the series in the theater, no reason to stop now. I'm hoping for a blowout bloodbath finale unlike the severely disappointing Scream 3.

Posted by: TylerDFC at February 17, 2011 11:54 AM

I'll probably see the majority of the kids movies though not in theaters for most. If the kids want to see the chipmunk crap, hoodwinked or spy kids they'll have to rent those on a night that I'm out of town or something.

Puss in Boots? They're doing another god-damned Shrek movie? The first two were fine. Everything since has been pure garbage. I guess it's just as well. If Myers and Murphy keep turning out that schlock we won't be subjected to anymore Love Gurus or Norbits.

Posted by: Paultera at February 17, 2011 12:08 PM

Legitimately excited only about Deathly Hallows and X-Men -- and the later, almost entirely because of MacAvoy and Fassbender.

I finally saw Hunger this week. Daaaamn.

Posted by: Kettle at February 17, 2011 12:12 PM

So is paranormal activity essentially taking on saws role as the yearly Halloween horror series? They both had decent first entries, passable second ones, so I would assume if the trend continues, paranormal activity 3-8 will be total shit

Posted by: Charlie at February 17, 2011 12:14 PM

I'll see:
Kung Fu Panda 2
Piranha 3DD
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Rise of the Apes
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two

I'm excited about:
Sherlock Holmes A Game of Shadows
Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
X-Men: First Class
The Muppets

Posted by: Adam C. at February 17, 2011 12:22 PM

Sounds like Figgy and Todd are going as a couple.

Aside: just me or is January Jones really, really white? Saw her on Daily Show and she was almost blinding. I know she's The White Queen, but that's dedication that even Christian Bale doesn't have!

Posted by: Fredo at February 17, 2011 12:50 PM

Piranha 3Dd,X-Men:First Class, and the Muppets

Posted by: Sean at February 17, 2011 1:11 PM

Count me in for X-Men and The Muppets.

I'll also watch the Hoodwinked sequel because the first one was pretty decent. It may have had basic animation, but the script was witty and the cast well chosen.

I respect any kids CGI movie that draws its major influences from Rashomon and The Thin Man, whilst referencing Fletch and Monty Python.

Posted by: Simon at February 17, 2011 1:20 PM

I agree with most choices, 'cept I really want to see Harry Potter 7-II and I'll probably see Pirates 4 (Johnny Depp is in it. I'll risk it).

Also, Hoodwinked 1, for all its crappy animation, was kind of awesome. I'll probably avoid the sequel in the cinema but I might give it a go once it hits TV.

Posted by: Circe at February 17, 2011 1:43 PM

X-Men. Harry Potter. Muppets.

And yes, Transformers.

YOU DON'T JUDGE ME! YOU LIKED IRON MAN 2 AND I DIDN'T SAY A GODDAMN THING!

Posted by: superasente at February 17, 2011 1:47 PM

I am looking forward to:

Kung Fu Panda 2, because nothing will ever make fat panda jokes STOP being funny to me. Nothing.

Pirate of the Caribbean, because I like looking at Johnny Depp.

X-Men: First Class, because X-Men is the only comic book I ever read, and I really, REALLY want to see an awesome movie adaptation.

The Muppets, because it's the Muppets. With Jason Segal. Awesome.

Harry Potter, because I am a HUGE Harry Potter nerd, and I thought the Deathly Hallows Part 1 was the best movie of the series so far.

Keep in mind though, that I'll probably only see Harry Potter and MAYBE one other of these in theaters. I am not a theater-going type, and even my excitement for these movies will not change that.

Posted by: GwenBear at February 17, 2011 1:52 PM

A "record" number of sequels? If only that were one of those bogus records that isn't adjusted for inflation like box office tallies. What an ignominious distinction, 2011. A herald for a lack of originality! Bravo!

Many of you may be exceptions, but you’re outliers.

Appropriately enough, the only personalized license plate that I ever seriously considered was OUTLIER.

You know how many movies in that list I have firm plans to see? Three. The rest are just P&A noise to me.

Posted by: DarthCorleone at February 17, 2011 2:00 PM

Harry Potter

Pirates

X-men

Winnie The pooh, though if i do, it's going to be with a date.

The Muppets, also with a date.

and probably Transformers 3.

Posted by: Lordninja at February 17, 2011 2:18 PM

Piranha 3DD? Really?

Are you sure you didn't get your trade news crossed with Vivvid Video's release schedule?

Posted by: Irving Washington at February 17, 2011 3:42 PM

How many am I truly excited about? Two. The Muppets and Harry Potter (because I've invested myself in the films/books and this is the final chapter).

I will willingly see Sherlock Holmes 2, Scream 4, Pirates, and X-Men.

I will most likely be forced (by myslef, others, or society) to see Cars 2, Hangover 2, Transformers 3, and Mission Impossible 4...mostly because I've seen the previous installments of those movies, regardless of the fact that none of them warrant sequels.

This is a sad year for film. Oh wait, I said that last year...

Posted by: Littlejon2001 at February 17, 2011 4:23 PM

Ill see
Transformers 3 (im 14)
Cars 2 (Pixar)
Kung Fu Panda 2 (1st one was OK)
Pirates 4 (Trailer is good)
Hangover Part 2 (again, Im 14)

Anticipated:
X Men First Class (60's+Superheros+Michael Fassebender+January Jones+Jennifer Lawrence+Kevin Bacon+ Director Of Kickass= Anticipated)
Sherlock Holmes (First one + Moriarity+ Noomi Rapace)
Muppets (there the motherfucking muppets)
MI4 (Brad Bird+Simon Pegg)
Harry Potter 7-2 (Midnight)

Posted by: Ja Ja Ja Ja at February 17, 2011 5:33 PM

Sherlock Holmes and Harry Potter. That's pretty much it.

Posted by: dsbs at February 17, 2011 5:45 PM

@Rob - I'm sorry to tell you, but the trailer makes it look like my future wife Alison Brie gets off'd, and not in the totally sexy way....

I'm totally stoked for the following sequels:
The Hangover Part II
X-Men: First Class
Sherlock Holmes 2
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Pirates 4
Harry Potter 7.5

Not to mention all the non-sequel comic book movies coming out this year
Thor
Captain America
Sucker Punch

And totally awaiting patiently the release of The Dark Knight Rises next year....

Posted by: starwarsfanman98 at February 17, 2011 6:17 PM

Just because all the Muppet movies have Muppets in them does not mean they are sequels. All of Tim Burton's movies aren't sequels, right? Right?

Posted by: Three-nineteen at February 17, 2011 9:14 PM

Why is it that everyone seems to get up in arms about movie sequels but we don't have the same venom for book sequels? Just as derivative and almost as poor a track record if you ask me. And don't start that bullshit that movie sequels are money grabs and book sequels somehow aren't.

Dustin neglects one huge reason we all go to sequels: hope. Hope that whatever it is that we loved about the previous incarnation can be replicated. We know that there was something good about the previous movie. What do we know about something original? Are the odds really that much worse that the second or later movies in a series are going to be worse than something fresh like Valentine's Day or The Last Airbender I'm not sure but I imagine someone could figure it out using rotten tomato scores.

Should we consider Sherlock Holmes a first movie? What are the rules on this? I'm pretty sure that there have been way more Sherlock Holmes movies than Harry Potter movies or James Bond movies.

As for which sequels excite me? Probably just Harry Potter. But I'll be dragged to a bunch of the animated ones by my kids and I'm sure I'll like some of them.

I have the most hope for X-Men, Cars 2 (because what are the chances that Pixar makes two so-so movies from the same characters?), Potter, Muppets, and Rise of the Apes.

Posted by: ed newman at February 17, 2011 11:56 PM

Am I the ONLY person who thought "Deathly Hallows" was boring?

I am excited about "Rise of the apes." It's got Lithgow and "using the techniqes developed for "Avatar", I just know that somehow, it will come out a large turd....

and "Pooh".

Posted by: Jim at February 18, 2011 10:23 AM

THE BATTLE OF HOGWARTS MUTHAFUCKERS!
Sorry it had to be done. Hate me now if you dare.

Posted by: Me at February 18, 2011 11:20 AM

Why the hate for sequels? Y'all loved the True Grit re-make. At least with sequels you get a slightly different story and a new villain.

Posted by: logan at February 18, 2011 11:28 AM

I co-sign both ed newman's and logan's posts. Hear, hear!

@starwarsfan: Then I'll be walking out of the theater shortly thereafter.

Posted by: RobP at February 18, 2011 11:34 AM

I'm kind of interested in these films.

Sherlock Holmes A Game of Shadows
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Scream 4
The Muppets
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two

What annoys me most is that, as an X-Men fan, I've yet to warm to the First Class, despite Fassbender's cool.

Posted by: csb at February 18, 2011 3:32 PM

thanks for the reminder that i am very selective as i've seen nearly none of these movies' first or second or third etc iterations.

i did like the trailer for the x-men movie and i might go see based on what i hear here

Posted by: splinter at February 18, 2011 4:29 PM

is Star Trek dead in the water? Surely the next one should be out for this summer?

Posted by: JoJo at February 18, 2011 9:26 PM

You should know that if you pay a price that seems too unrealistic, then it probably is. You want to make sure you always purchase a handbag is a place that offers a return policy so you can feel safe shopping bag discount Marc Jacobs.

Posted by: Louis Vuitton Handbags at March 31, 2011 5:37 AM