Badly Criticized Sequels That Did Well At The Box-Office

Sequels have done well at the box-office more often than not but not all of them have been good films, atleast according to critics. Here are some sequels which received terrible reviews but raked in money.

By : Kunal Kothari

Baaghi 2

Baaghi 3 is best remembered for its memes, while Baaghi 2 surprised with over ₹165 crore despite tepid reviews. As Baaghi 4 looms, the franchise’s over-the-top appeal seems oddly immune to logic, criticism, and even economic slowdowns.

Aranmanai 2,3 & 4

The Aranmanai franchise defies logic. Despite worsening reviews with each film, its box office success has only grown, with Aranmanai 4 shockingly crossing ₹100 crore. So-bad-it’s-entertaining seems to be working, and a fifth film may already be brewing.

Kya Super Kool Hai Hum

The Kya Kool Hain Hum franchise began as a bold sex comedy and plunged into chaos with its sequels. Despite critical flak, the second film earned over ₹45 crore, proving that innuendo and absurdity can still draw ticket-buying laughter and confusion.

Golmaal Returns

Golmaal Returns baffled critics with its chaotic tone but still earned over ₹52 crore, keeping the franchise alive. While Golmaal 3 later won hearts and box office alike, Returns remains the oddball middle child—juvenile, random, yet undeniably successful in hindsight.

Housefull 3,4 & 5

The Housefull franchise is a textbook case of critical disdain clashing with commercial triumph. Despite recycled plots, slapstick chaos, and dated humour, each film rakes in massive numbers—Housefull 4 hit ₹195 crore—proving that problematic gags still draw crowds, critics notwithstanding.

Singham Returns & Singham Again

Rohit Shetty’s Singham sequels haven’t matched the original’s impact. Singham Returns faced criticism but earned ₹141 crore, prompting Singham Again, which despite star power, felt overstuffed and underwhelming. The franchise now needs a creative jolt before charging into another round.

Yamla Pagla Deewana 2

Yamla Pagla Deewana began as a quirky hit, but its sequels stumbled. Despite poor reviews, the second film earned over ₹37 crore, encouraging a third. However, Phir Se flopped with both critics and audiences, seemingly ending the franchise as Deols moved on.

Singh Is Bliing

Singh is Bling, a spiritual successor to Singh Is Kinng, lacked coherence but still crossed ₹90 crore, thanks to Akshay Kumar’s appeal. However, its success couldn’t save director Prabhu Deva, whose subsequent films marked a steady and spectacular creative decline.

Student of the Year 2

Student of the Year was peak guilty-pleasure cinema, while its sequel, though slammed for lacking substance, still earned ₹69 crore. Despite its glossy absurdities, it launched Ananya Panday and Tara Sutaria, proving the franchise’s aspirational appeal remained stronger than its storytelling.

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