In 2023, eight of the top ten highest-grossing films were sequels, prequels, or part of a cinematic universe. Although audiences continue to show up for familiar franchises, the dominance of sequels raises a pressing question: Is Hollywood out of original ideas?
The entertainment industry, once synonymous with innovation and daring creativity, now feels as if it’s stuck on repeat. Studios churn out reboot after reboot, betting on established IPs instead of taking risks on fresh stories. But how did we get here? And what does this mean for the future of storytelling?
Hollywood wasn’t always this reliant on sequels. In the 1970s, a golden age of filmmaking saw directors including Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Steven Spielberg create groundbreaking films that pushed boundaries. Even then, sequels existed, but they were the exception rather than the rule.
The shift began in the late 1990s and early 2000s when blockbusters became the backbone of studio profits. With rising production costs and shrinking home video revenues, studios started looking for safer bets. Existing franchises provided a reliable formula: built-in audiences, global brand recognition, and the potential for endless spin-offs.
It’s easy to blame studios for playing it safe, but audiences share responsibility. The box office numbers don’t lie—franchises dominate because people keep buying tickets.
But this reliance on familiarity has created a vicious cycle. Original films struggle to gain traction, while sequels thrive, reinforcing the industry’s reliance on established IPs.
Although sequels generate box office profits, their dominance comes at a cost—both creatively and culturally.
Hollywood’s fixation on sequels sidelines emerging voices and experimental storytelling. Studios allocate massive budgets to franchise films, leaving little room for independent projects or mid-budget dramas.
The greatest films of past decades—The Godfather, Pulp Fiction, Schindler’s List—were original works that shaped cultural conversations. In contrast, sequels often prioritize fan service over thematic depth, delivering spectacle at the expense of substance.
It’s important to acknowledge that not all sequels are created equal. When done well, they can expand on the original story and deepen emotional resonance. The Dark Knight elevated the superhero genre, and Toy Story 3 offered a poignant conclusion to a beloved trilogy.
But for every Dark Knight, dozens of lackluster sequels feel more like cash grabs. The problem isn’t sequels themselves—it’s the industry’s over-reliance on them.
The rise of Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and other streaming platforms has further fueled the sequel trend. Streaming algorithms favor familiar content, leading platforms to greenlight spin-offs, reboots, and sequels that fit established viewing patterns.
Despite Hollywood’s sequel obsession, original stories haven’t disappeared entirely. Independent filmmakers and smaller studios continue to champion innovation, proving that there’s still a market for bold, original storytelling.
The sequel syndrome reflects Hollywood’s struggle to balance profitability with creativity. Although sequels and franchises have their place, they shouldn’t overshadow the bold, original stories that define cinema’s true potential.
Hollywood may not be out of ideas, but the industry must rediscover its appetite for risk—and audiences have a role to play in making that happen.