Probably based on popularity of character

@Strannger18 said:

Probably based on popularity of character

The Indiana Jones film Raiders of the Lost Ark initially didn't have "Indiana Jones and the..." in the title, because at first, Spielberg and Lucas were creating a character which was not considered to be very popular, but due to the high financial success of ROTLA and popularity of Indiana Jones, they started adding Indiana Jones' name to the titles of his subsequent films, and for this same reason, ROTLA would be retitled as Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark for its subsequent home video releases.

@FlyingSaucersAreReal said:

I wonder why they drop the title and just start naming the movies after the main character. Friday the 13th started doing this as well.

It is an irritating trend that began in the early 90's. I've never liked that they started doing that.

@FlyingSaucersAreReal said:

I wonder why they drop the title and just start naming the movies after the main character. Friday the 13th started doing this as well.

I always thought it was because of Problem Child. When there are so many, I think it’s easier to keep them straight with titles other than franchise + number, personally.

@AmBeck22 said:

@FlyingSaucersAreReal said:

I wonder why they drop the title and just start naming the movies after the main character. Friday the 13th started doing this as well.

I always thought it was because of Problem Child. When there are so many, I think it’s easier to keep them straight with titles other than franchise + number, personally.

I personally like creativity on the sequel titles. For example, Alien & Aliens...Naked Gun 2 1/2, Naked Gun 33 1/3. I like when they have fun with it instead of just “Name of Movie” insert number.

@A-Dubya said: I personally like creativity on the sequel titles. For example, Alien & Aliens...Naked Gun 2 1/2, Naked Gun 33 1/3. I like when they have fun with it instead of just “Name of Movie” insert number.

I Still Know What You Did Last Summer is another good example of a film sequel whose title doesn't follow the "Name of Movie insert number" naming convention since its title is a reference to the ending of I Know What You Did Last Summer when Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt) sees the "I still know" message on the wall.