Every long-running show or movie franchise eventually faces a choice—evolve or exaggerate. And sometimes, in that attempt to keep audiences hooked, creators fly just a little too close to the sun or, in one famous case, leap over a shark. The phrase "jump the shark" was born in 1977 on Happy Days, when Fonzie (leather jacket and all) literally jumped over a shark on water skis.
It was the moment fans realized the series had traded its soul for hype. Since then, the expression has become shorthand for when the magic of a franchise fades and desperation takes its place. For some, it's a single misguided episode. For others, it's a tonal shift that never goes away. And the entries on this list, which can be found on Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max, are definitely guilty of jumping the shark.
'Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers' Went Too Supernatural
Halloween (1978) was the ultimate lesson in simplicity. A silent killer stalked and taunted a terrified babysitter with a haunting score to match. It was a perfect pick for horror purists who value atmosphere over gore. Then came Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995). The film introduced the "Thorn Cult," turning the once-mysterious Michael Myers into the product of a supernatural prophecy.
The boogeyman no longer haunted us just because he could. Instead, he had lore, symbols, and a backstory. And that, many argue, is where the franchise jumped the shark. The original works because it's primal. Once you start explaining the monster, the fear dims, and the mystery is essentially over. Still, horror fans who love chasing a genre's roots will enjoy it.
'Child's Play 3' Leaned Into Comedy, Not Scares
The original Child's Play (1988) was delightfully terrifying, with a possessed doll named Chucky targeting a little boy and his mom while on the hunt for a human body to inhabit. It balanced suspense with twisted humor, appealing to horror fans who liked their scares with personality. But by Child's Play 3 (1991), the scares were traded for sarcasm.
Chucky moved to a military school, and the franchise began winking at itself. Later sequels leaned fully into parody, culminating in Bride of Chucky (1998) and Seed of Chucky (2004). Once the killer doll started mugging for the camera, the genuine menace was gone. However, the franchise forged through its ridiculousness and recovered some of its initial magic with Curse of Chucky in 2013.
'The Simpsons' Lost Its Edge In Season 9
There's no denying The Simpsons (1989) is one of television's greatest achievements. For its first eight seasons, the animated sitcom nailed a rare balance between razor-sharp satire and heartfelt family storytelling. It spoke to anyone who loved clever comedy that didn't talk down to its audience. But many fans agree that the Season 9 episode, "The Principal and the Pauper" (1997) was a turning point.
The revelation that Principal Skinner was actually an impostor named Armin Tamzarian felt like a betrayal of the characters and history fans had come to love. From there, the show became more self-referential. The writing leaned too heavily on celebrity cameos and high-concept plots. It's still entertaining, especially for longtime fans, but the bite has been dulled.
'The X-Files' Got Lost In Its Mythology
Few shows captured alien paranoia quite like The X-Files (1993). Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully's investigations into government conspiracies and the paranormal gave us one of television's most addictive formulas. The show is still a great pick for viewers who love creepy thrills with an undercurrent of skepticism. But by Season 9, the chemistry that made the show iconic began to fade.
Episode 15, ironically titled "Jump the Shark" (2002), sealed the fate of fan-favorite side characters, The Lone Gunmen. Although the decision was later retconned for the comic book series, it underlined what had gone wrong with the show. The X-Files that once thrived on mystery had become tangled in its own mythology and was left spinning in confused circles.
'Furious 7' Became A Caricature Of The Franchise
When The Fast and the Furious (2001) was originally all about underground street racing and loyalty. It spoke to underdogs and blue-collar thrill-seekers chasing freedom one quarter-mile at a time. But over the years, the series evolved from nitrous and neon to espionage and impossible physics. By Furious 7 (2015), the family wasn't just stealing cars, they were defying gravity.
When cars launched into space in F9 (2021), even the most devoted fans chuckled. The popular Vin Diesel-led franchise became a caricature of itself, but an incredibly fun one. Viewers just have to remember to check their logic at the door before hitting the play button on the remote. Still, people who love over-the-top action and found family stories will get a kick out of it.
'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Pushed Fans Far, Far Away
When Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) hit screens everyone was ready for another epic adventure in the iconic faraway galaxy. But as the sequel trilogy progressed, nostalgia started to outweigh narrative. Many argue the shark-jump point arrives either in the middle of the sequels or with the mishandling of original characters like Luke, Leia, and Han.
While The Force Awakens might work as a love letter to the original trilogy, the sequels lost their compass while searching for hyperdrive. With several new projects in the works, created to expand the galaxy, it's a good reminder of how fine the line is between homage and imitation. The sequel trilogy, in particular, is best suited for Star Wars devotees who can forgive a few hyperspace missteps.
