Why Hollywood Dominates with Franchise Films

The narrative that Hollywood is solely focused on making remakes and sequels has been pervasive, yet misleading. While it's true that sequels and reboots capture more attention due to their bigger marketing budgets, the truth is that original films are still being made and released. However, the high-profile nature of these sequels and reboots often overshadows the broader landscape of cinema.

The Pervasive Presence of Franchise Films

It's important to dispel the myth that every Hollywood film is a franchise. Sequels and reboots do exist, but they are far from representing the majority of Hollywood's output. According to industry reports, Hollywood releases over 300 films annually, with many not belonging to any franchise at all. The number of reboots or remakes in a given year rarely reaches double digits, while sequels are far more common.

Why do sequels and reboots get more attention? The reason is straightforward: they come with pre-existing fan bases that are already invested in the franchises. This built-in audience significantly reduces financial risk for studios. Moreover, sequels and reboots can leverage larger marketing budgets, which often translate into greater audience awareness and box office success.

Counterarguments and Evidence

Consider the Oscar nominations for Best Picture in 2023 as a counterexample. The nominees included:

Oppenheimer American Fiction Anatomy of a Fall Barbie The Holdovers Killers of the Flower Moon Maestro Past Lives Poor Things The Zone of Interest

Out of these, two films were based on existing franchises (Barbie and Oppenheimer), but the majority were standalone projects. If all Hollywood films were sequels, it is highly unlikely that these original titles would have been recognized by the Academy. In particular, 'Barbie' had a massive budget of US$150M with worldwide box office earnings of over US$1.4B, making it a significant success in the industry.

The marketing budgets for both 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' were substantial, comparable to or even exceeding their respective production costs. The marketing for 'Barbie' is estimated at US$145M, while 'Oppenheimer' is estimated to have spent US$65M to US$100M. These estimates highlight the willingness of studios to invest heavily in promoting their films, regardless of whether they are part of a franchise or not.

Decoding Movie Industry Trends

For a more comprehensive view, let's look at Alex Robinson's methodology. An analysis of Metacritics' top 100 films of 2023 revealed that 4 were sequels (Trenque Lauquen Parte 2, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning, John Wick Chapter 4) and 2 were prequels (Godzilla Minus One, The First Slam Dunk). This totals to 6 out of 100, indicating that despite the prevalence of sequels, original films still dominate the industry.

Conclusion

The persistent myth that Hollywood only makes sequels and reboots is a misrepresentation of the industry. While franchise films certainly capture significant attention and financial success, original films continue to be produced and even receive recognition from the industry's highest accolades. The high marketing budgets associated with these franchise films ensure they receive greater visibility, but original films still hold their own in every other aspect.