In April of 2023, it was announced that Disney would be making a live action film of the animated picture “Moana” from 2016. This is the announcement of a live action movie just 7 years after the original animation was released. While “Cinderella,” “Aladdin” and “The Little Mermaid” have had 30 to 60 years of nostalgia as beloved animated films, this quicker turnaround raises a question: why another remake?
Beyond princesses and fairy tales, for the longest time, movies have been a significant standout in American culture for their creativity. Hollywood films captivate audiences in America and worldwide by incorporating a variety of genres, from comedy to action to horror. Each genre would provide unique perspectives of stories.
For example, while Marvel features dashing superheroes like Iron Man and Captain America who dare to save the universe, Disney enchants audiences with timeless classics like “Sleeping Beauty” or “Snow White.” While franchises like “Terminator,” “Mission Impossible” or “Harry Potter” used the idea of consistent sequels, audiences were still eagerly anticipating films from them. In summary, movies came to entertain us with astounding plot twists or tragic endings, introduce us to new settings and teach us valuable life lessons by illustrating how the main characters arose from their conflicts.
However, as we move further into the 21st century, it seems that movies have become somewhat repetitive. Why are remakes, sequels and spin-off series becoming so frequent?
Are Films Running Out Of Ideas?
The announcements or releases of movies such as “Scream 5,” “Tall Girl 2” or “Zootopia 2” suggests that many movies in theaters today are primarily sequels, remakes or live-action adaptations. Even some original films seem uninspired after one glance at their summaries, which are often filled with predictable clichés and overused tropes.
This could possibly be because of the use of clichés or common themes in movies. Clichés in story plots are frequently used because they follow narratives that audiences find both easy to understand and enjoyable to watch. Romantic films often feature dramatic declarations of love in the rain and slashers typically rely on groups that split up when a killer is still on the loose. While these tropes may be entertaining, audiences may quickly lose interest when no new elements are introduced.
However, the emergence of remakes in the 21st century are not as novel as some audiences may believe. According to Constantine Verevis, an associate professor of film studies at Monash University, the popularity of remakes is nothing new. “Remakes have always been around in one form or another,” he stated. He pointed out that Hollywood trade papers from the 1930s used the term ‘remake’ and noted that if a film was successful, it was considered a good candidate for another audience.
Making Good Economic Decisions
As technology advanced and films gained bigger budgets, more remakes began to appear. Laura Rosewarne from the School of Social and Political Sciences at Melbourne University informs that remakes are less risky because they are based on similar stories. She alludes to research indicating that when there is a new film that doesn’t come from a successful novel or is a completely new story, audiences are generally reluctant to embrace it as it is selling them a narrative from scratch. This is why some remakes have proven successful in the marketplace.
The highest grossing film of 2022 was the sequel to 1986’s “Top Gun- Top Gun: Maverick” – which made more than $718 million. “Wonka” with Hollywood star Timothée Chalamet also made $39.9 million globally in its opening weekend.
As of February 2024, Disney’s live action remakes have seen significant financial success. The highest grossing Disney live action reimagining was the 2019 version of the “Lion King” with a box office revenue of $1.657 billion worldwide. The live action picture of “Cinderella” grossed $542.4 million worldwide and was the 12th highest grossing film of 2015 and “Aladdin” from 2019 grossed $1.051 billion worldwide, ranking as the ninth highest grossing film of that year.
Cinema In The Future
While there is excitement of beloved classics returning to audiences, will there be continued financial success for remakes, or will viewers seek more creative and original stories that offer fresh perspectives?
As there is anticipation for upcoming sequels such as “Moana 2,” “Zootopia 2” or “Jurassic World: Rebirth,” critics and audiences will observe the evolution of storytelling.
