10 Movie Sequels That Just Copied The Original

10. Die Hard 2

Credit where it’s due: Die Hard 2 was one of the first sequels hip to the fact that it was just recycling elements from the first movie and has fun mocking the illogicality of its storyline. From the dialogue (“How could the same sh*t happen to the same guy twice?”) to the tagline (“They say lightning never strikes twice…they were wrong!”) this is one sequel that’s in no danger of taking itself too seriously.

Given the number of recycled elements, that’s probably a good idea. Once again, the movie opens at an airport on Christmas Eve and once again John McClane stumbles across nefarious activity that threatens his wife’s safety. For good measure, the filmmakers also bring back Sergeant Al Powell and Richard Thornburg, who once again gets bested by Holly McClane.

It even has the gall to end the same way, with Mr and Mrs McClane walking away while Vaughn Monroe sings Let It Snow Let It Snow Let It Snow. Fortunately, the movie gave Bruce Willis enough box office clout to persuade the producers to abandon the formula for Die Hard With A Vengeance.