From blockbusters like “Dune: Part Two” (2024) to action-packed superhero flicks like “Deadpool 3” (2024), this has been the year of sequels. Yet, when franchises like “Kung Fu Panda” approached its fourth installment, audiences found themselves swamped with sequels.
It is a common belief that sequels never live up to its predecessors. While that is partially true — only 40% of sequels make more than the original — the release of sequels seems to be never-ending.
This year alone, dozens of sequels have premiered at the box office. From the horror flick, “Scream 2” (2024), to the children’s movie, “Inside Out 2” (2024), no franchise is safe from “sequel-fication.”
Sequel production increased over time, with a large spike in 2000. Based on data from 1,200 movies and sequels from the past 100 years, sequels are typically less popular, have a higher budget and make less than the original movie.
“Joker” (2019) was, and still is, a beloved movie that became the first R-rated film to earn over $1 billion at the box office. Joaquin Phoenix won an Oscar for his performance as Joker, Batman’s most notorious enemy.
Built off the success of the first, there is no question why director Todd Phillips pivoted to a second movie. However, “Joker: Folie à Deux” (2024) is looking to be a box office bomb, despite casting international pop star Lady GaGa as Joker’s leading lady, Harley Quinn.
“Joker: Folie à Deux” currently sits at a 32% Rotten Tomatoes audience score compared to the original “Joker” score of 89%.
Yet, not all sequels suffer a similar fate as many of the highest-grossing movies this year have been sequels.
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” (2024) tripled its budget in three weeks, grossing around $329.7 million by its third weekend in theaters. “Dune: Part Two” (2024) surpassed the first film's earnings in a week, and “Inside Out 2” (2024) became the highest-grossing animated film ever.
Even reboots are finding success at the box office. “Twisters” (2024), a reboot of the 1996 classic “Twister,” was an immediate hit this summer and earned over $123 million its opening weekend.
So, why do franchises continue to make continuations of the same stories? Simply put, they are less likely to lose money. If audiences are already familiar with the story and characters, they are more likely to return to the theaters.
Even original movies are based on the popularity of actors, directors or the companies producing the film. Audiences are more likely to see a movie starring actors they know, as opposed to unknown or new actors, while directors and companies attempt to build a reputation for producing enjoyable films.
Fewer original movies and ideas are being put to the screen. While this may be a lack of creative output on the production side, audience support behind these films influences the output.
Whether it is an attempt to revive nostalgia, make a quick, but reliable blockbuster, or build off a story, sequels, reboots and adaptations will continue to be made.
