Revival Hits: 10 Movies That Brought Fading Franchises Back to Life!

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From a film fan’s perspective, there’s an undeniable charm in revisiting cherished franchises, a feeling that’s both fulfilling and reassuring. Yet, it isn’t always simple for studios to maintain that freshness in these long-standing series. All too often, the pursuit of quick profits has led them to prioritize quantity over quality, churning out sequels, spin-offs, and reboots at breakneck speed, sometimes sacrificing script quality in the process. On rare occasions, a franchise seems to take its final bow, slipping into a peaceful hibernation until the ideal script emerges, often decades later, to breathe new life into the intellectual property once more.

Occasionally, a movie manages to rekindle the flame, merging innovative concepts with the core values that made the initial release captivating, thereby renewing interest and enthusiasm. This piece spotlights the films that breathed new life into flagging series, preventing them from becoming extinct. These comebacks didn’t simply capitalize on nostalgia—they advanced the narrative, injected fresh vigor, and reminded viewers of the significance the franchise held since its inception.

10
‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ (2015)

Starring a little-known actor named Mel Gibson, the first Mad Max movie was an incredible hit. Filmed in the desolate post-apocalyptic landscapes of Australia’s outback for a meager budget of only a few hundred thousand dollars, it grossed over $100 million at the box office and is largely credited with paving the way for Australian New Wave films to reach global audiences. It was later followed by two sequels in 1981 and 1985, both featuring Gibson reprising his role as Max. Although these movies received critical acclaim, they didn’t have the same financial success and seemed to mark the end of the franchise.

‘Fury Road’ Is One of the Greatest Action Movies of the 21st Century

3 Decades later, I found myself utterly captivated by the rejuvenation of the Mad Max franchise in “Mad Max: Fury Road”. This film brought back the franchise with an unstoppable force, offering an adrenaline-fueled, action-packed spectacle that left audiences globally breathless. The raw, budgetary grit of the originals was replaced by a whopping $170 million budget, transforming it into a polished and pulse-racing blockbuster with stunning visual effects and cinematic panache. The movie was an undeniable success, garnering both critical acclaim and box office glory.

The success of “Mad Max: Fury Road” paved the way for the prequel titled “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga“, which followed a similar style but couldn’t match its predecessor’s achievement, causing uncertainty about the future of the series once more.

9
‘Jurassic World’ (2015)

30 years have passed since the iconic Steven Spielberg directed and brought together the talents of Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, and Sam Neill in “Jurassic Park.” At its release, it shattered records as the highest-grossing movie ever made, a title it held until 1997’s “Titanic” took over. The film was a sci-fi masterpiece that brought dinosaur chaos to life in an enthralling and gripping manner, with exceptional acting performances and groundbreaking visual effects. Two sequels were released in the ’90s, but they couldn’t quite replicate the enchantment of the original, leaving audiences waiting for more… but there was no follow-up.

‘Jurassic World’ Saved the Franchise from Extinction

For over fifteen years, the Jurassic Park franchise seemed to have gone out of existence until Jurassic World reappeared on our screens with a thunderous roar. Much like its predecessor, it retained what made the original so popular and escalated those elements even further. The park grew larger, the dinosaurs became more colossal, and the box office earnings skyrocketed to record-breaking heights, placing it among the most financially successful movies ever produced. Boasting a fresh cast including Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, the film shattered numerous box office records, cementing its place in cinematic history.

Additionally, two more films from the Jurassic Park series were launched recently, mirroring a comparable level of financial achievement. This has solidified the Jurassic Park franchise as one of the largest and most lucrative in history.

8
‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ (2011)

The initial trilogy of the “Planet of the Apes” films, where humans and intelligent simians vie for power, is renowned as a classic in the realm of science fiction. Regrettably, the 2001 remake by Tim Burton fell short of capturing that enchanting essence, resulting in no more sequels being planned. Skipping forward to 2011, director Rupert Wyatt endeavored to revive this cherished franchise. The film “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” was a hit among both critics and audiences, with many appreciating its heartfelt narrative, Andy Serkis’ portrayal as Caesar, and its impressive visual effects.

A New Direction

This film significantly changed the direction of the “Planet of the Apes” franchise, solidifying it as a top-tier Hollywood series that offers both thrilling action sequences and profound character development and philosophical themes. To this day, it is still highly regarded as one of the best films in the series and considered among the best movies from the 2010s. It was subsequently followed by “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” (directed by Matt Reeves in 2014), “War for the Planet of the Apes” in 2017, and “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” set to release in 2024.

7
‘Creed’ (2015)

In the realm of sports-themed movies, there’s no doubt that the Rocky series holds a special place in fans’ hearts. After six films and nearly three decades, it appeared that the story of Rocky Balboa had reached a satisfying end with the well-received 2006 film, Rocky Balboa, which served as a graceful farewell.

There Was Still Fight in the Franchise Yet

After being inactive for almost a decade, some believed the game was over. But then came the debut of “Creed”, showing that the franchise still had spirit left to give. While it serves as a spin-off, it revolves around Adonis Creed, an amateur boxer who receives training and guidance from Rocky Balboa – a man who was once a fierce rival and later became a friend to Adonis’ father, Apollo Creed.

The film “Creed” delivered an impressive impact, gaining significant acclaim from both critics and viewers, earning a near-flawless 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, even surpassing the original’s 93%. Critics appreciated the fresh perspective taken in the storyline and commended Michael B. Jordan’s intense portrayal of Creed, along with the heartfelt narrative. The movie was subsequently followed by “Creed II” and “Creed III,” which elicited similar positive responses from both audiences and critics alike.

6
‘Halloween’ (2018)

Initially unveiled in 1978, John Carpenter’s Halloween stands out as one of the most cherished and emblematic horror films ever made, effectively establishing a roadmap for the slasher genre that countless subsequent movies have attempted to emulate. However, it’s unfortunate that many sequels within the same franchise failed to capture the essence and brilliance of the original masterwork.

Initially, seven follow-up movies, each becoming increasingly complex and absurd, failed to recapture the enchantment of the first one. Critics often criticized them. In 2007, Rob Zombie tried to restart the series, but longtime fans of the original were frequently displeased with his new approach. He later directed a sequel, but it was met with both negative reviews and poor box office performance, leaving the franchise in uncertainty once more.

‘Halloween’ Serves as a Legacy Sequel to the Original

To correct some of the negative impact on the original’s reputation caused by a series of poor sequels and inappropriate remakes, it was declared that Halloween would be a soft reboot – essentially, a new installment that continues the original storyline while ignoring all subsequent films. Forty years after the initial incident, Jamie Lee Curtis once again plays Laurie Strode, the lone survivor of the original slaughter.

Revisiting its original essence, the 2018 movie titled “Halloween” delivers a chilling, intense, and fear-inducing experience. Laden with equal parts tension and gore, the film successfully made a triumphant return, breaking box office records to become the highest-earning slasher film ever produced. With the franchise now thriving once more, two subsequent sequels, “Halloween Kills” and “Halloween Ends,” were unleashed in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

5
‘Batman Begins’ (2005)

Batman, one of DC Comics’ most iconic and lasting superheroes in terms of public favor, has been depicted on screen numerous times. The initial major live-action adaptation appeared as the critically praised blockbuster movie “Batman” (1989), helmed by director Tim Burton. This version of Batman presented a more somber and intense portrayal, contrasting the lighter 1960s TV series. Michael Keaton’s brooding Batman and Jack Nicholson’s memorable Joker played significant roles in reshaping superhero cinema, combining style, toughness, and mental complexity. Burton continued to delve deeper into darkness with “Batman Returns” (1992), which was also well-received by critics and successful at the box office.

The situation shifted significantly when Joel Schumacher stepped in, leading with Batman Forever, which introduced a more playful tone. However, it was Batman & Robin that seemed to seal the fate of the franchise. This film essentially reversed all the positive elements Tim Burton had contributed and is often criticized as one of the worst superhero movies ever produced, due to its over-the-top campiness.

‘The Dark Knight’ Trilogy Is Considered the Franchise’s Finest Era

After 10 years of inactivity, the franchise was revitalized by Christopher Nolan with Batman Begins. Primarily serving as an origin story for Batman, the film centered around Bruce Wayne’s transformation into the mysterious vigilante known as the night stalker. The movie was characterized by its dark, introspective, emotional, and impactful tone. Both critics and audiences were captivated by this fresh approach and appreciated the renewed quality, resulting in two more Nolan-directed sequels. This Dark Knight trilogy is often hailed as the franchise’s most significant period—as well as its most financially lucrative.

4
‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ (2021)

Under the guidance of Ivan Reitman, the film “Ghostbusters” is an ageless masterpiece skillfully merging spine-tingling supernatural chills with uproarious laughter. The story follows a quirky group of ghost hunters who serve as the city’s primary shield against otherworldly threats. With its unparalleled comedic charm, “Ghostbusters” and its sequel have undeniably left an indelible mark as timeless comedy classics that continue to captivate audiences even today.

‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ Blends Loving Nostalgia With Fresh Ideas

2016 saw the launch of a fresh version of Ghostbusters, this time with an all-female team taking over the iconic roles. This innovative spin aimed to breathe new life into the cherished idea, but it didn’t quite ignite the public’s interest as planned, and instead sparked a great deal of debate about its new direction.

Lately, viewers enjoyed a successor film titled “Ghostbusters: Afterlife“, which unfolded 32 years after the incidents in “Ghostbusters II“. The story revolves around a mother and her kids who shift to an Oklahoma farm they got from their absent father, Egon Spengler, one of the original Ghostbusters. As mysterious occurrences start happening, it falls on Egon’s grandson to step up and drive away the playful yet harmful spirits that are causing trouble in the town.

The blend of familiar elements from the past and a fresh environment resonated with both seasoned Ghostbusters enthusiasts and novices, rekindling interest in the series and leading to the creation of its follow-up, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.

3
‘The Mummy’ (1999)

The Mummy series originated from Universal’s 1932 chilling horror masterpiece starring Boris Karloff as Imhotep, which was followed by a string of B-movies in the ’40s centered around the character Kharis. Later, in 1955, the franchise took on a humorous twist with “Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy.” During the late ’50s to early ’70s, Hammer Films reintroduced the mummy lore with more gruesome, gothic British horror films that showcased stars like Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing.

‘The Mummy’ Took the Franchise in an Entirely New Direction

1999’s “The Mummy” offered a contemporary twist on the traditional mummy tale, with Brendan Fraser delivering an exceptional performance as the charming scoundrel Rick O’Connell. This action-adventure film stood out as one of the best in its genre since the 80s. However, while the sequel, “The Mummy Returns,” touched upon familiar themes, it still managed to entertain with its engaging action sequences and humor. Unfortunately, the third installment, “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor,” fell short due to subpar CGI, a weak script, and a lack of the intriguing side characters that made the initial film so enjoyable.

2
‘Scream’ (2022)

As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I’d say Wes Craven’s “Scream” is an ingenious cocktail of chilling horror and witty self-mockery. This movie brilliantly dissects and twists the clichés of the slasher genre, turning it into a sharp critique on horror films at large. By skillfully flipping the script and adding doses of self-referential humor, it not only serves up suspense, shocks, and brutality but also dishes out a side of dark wit.

The Scream Franchise Is Back in Full Force

Following the success of Scream 2, its sequel received comparable excitement, yet the momentum decreased significantly with the third film—Scream 3. This production performed dismally in both critical reception and box office sales. After a gap of eleven years, another installment—Scream 4—was released, which underperformed even more and was generally viewed as a money-grabbing attempt by the studio running out of creative ideas.

Moving forward another eleven years, the franchise resurfaces with new actors and some familiar ones. The latest version of Scream, much like its predecessor, concentrated on what made it so entertaining – blending truly terrifying scenes with clever self-referential humor. It was well-received by both audiences and critics, leading to the production of two more sequels, with another one in development.

1
‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ (2015)

The initial Star Wars trilogy comprises three revolutionary, cherished, and universally recognized films across the cosmos, shattering multiple box office records and serving as a model for numerous subsequent productions. When the series was revisited in the late 90s/early 2000s, it’s not surprising that it fell short of meeting exceptionally high standards.

‘The Force Awakens’ Blasted the Franchise Into the Stratosphere

After the contentious purchase of Lucasfilm by The Walt Disney Company, the globe experienced the unveiling of “The Force Awakens“. Skillfully merging nostalgic references and intriguing, captivating new personalities, the film maintained (the majority of) the initial fanbase’s satisfaction while introducing the enchantment of “Star Wars” to a fresh audience.

The movie raked in a huge amount of money, placing it among the most financially successful films ever made. It was also highly praised by critics, receiving a commendable 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This renewed popularity marked the start of an exciting new phase for the franchise, leading to numerous sequels, spin-offs, TV series, theme park attractions, and more.

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2025-04-08 06:04