Hollywood's reboot craze: Why studios play it safe with familiar franchises, reboots, and remakes, and what's driving the trend.
Ever feel like Hollywood just keeps making the same movies over and over? You're not alone! It turns out, there's a big reason why we're seeing so many reboots and remakes these days.
Remember how excited everyone was for the new Jurassic Park movie? Well, the director, Gareth Edwards, basically said he was trying to make it feel like a super old movie from the '90s. He even called it "karaoke," wanting it to feel familiar and nostalgic. It's like he wanted us to think Universal Studios found a lost film from back then!
And it's not just Jurassic Park. Soon, we're getting a new I Know What You Did Last Summer with the original stars, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. August bringing a new Naked Gun and a remake of The War of the Roses. Even Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan are coming back for a Freakier Friday sequel! Plus, there's a new 28 Years Later and another Final Destination movie. Even old favorites like The Goonies and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire are getting special anniversary re-releases.
It seems like Hollywood is stuck in a time machine, and a lot of that is because the people making the decisions grew up in the '90s. They're trying to bring back that pre-smartphone era they loved and share it with their kids.
So, why is Hollywood so obsessed with the past? A big part of it is simply playing it safe. After losing a lot of money when cinemas closed during COVID and then during the big strikes in 2023, studios are super careful with their cash. It's just good business sense to make movies that people already know and love.
Think about the biggest hits this year: sequels or movies based on huge, well-known stories. As one Disney executive put it, that's "what consumers are looking for."
But there's a problem: it's really hard to come up with new, original ideas that become big hits. The top-grossing films of all time are almost all sequels. Original blockbusters like Titanic and Avatar are super rare, and it's incredibly risky to make these days.
When studios do try something new, it often doesn't pan out. Movies like Elio and Black Bag, which were supposed to be fresh, ended up losing money. This makes studios even more hesitant to take chances on original stories with big budgets.
Recently, a couple of original movies, F1: The Movie and Sinners, actually did pretty well at the box office. Some people see this as a sign that audiences do want new stories.
However, others aren't so sure. Sinners was marketed as a reunion of the Black Panther and Creed team, and F1 was tied to a big brand. They might seem "original," but they still follow a lot of the same formulas as big action and superhero movies.
Basically, really unique and thought-provoking dramas that deal with real-life issues are rarely found in cinemas anymore. These kinds of stories have mostly moved to TV and streaming services. Shows like Baby Reindeer and The White Lotus are super popular because they tackle complex human dilemmas. Streamers can take more risks because their money comes from subscriptions, not just ticket sales.
Even with all the reboots, there are still a few original movies hitting cinemas this summer if you're tired of superheroes and explosions. Movies like Materialists, Bring Her Back, and Eddington are trying to offer something fresh and different. And hey, not all sequels are bad! Just look at The Godfather Part II.
So, while Hollywood might seem stuck on repeat, it's all about giving people what they want—familiar comfort. And it's not just about movie tickets anymore. It's about all the toys, games, and even Slurpees that come with these big franchises!
About the Writer
Jenny, the tech wiz behind Jenny's Online Blog, loves diving deep into the latest technology trends, uncovering hidden gems in the gaming world, and analyzing the newest movies. When she's not glued to her screen, you might find her tinkering with gadgets or obsessing over the latest sci-fi release.What do you think of this blog? Write down at the COMMENT section below.
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