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HT Rewind 2024 | Just sequels? How Hollywood stifled creativity as franchises and remakes dominated the box office

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2 months ago

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HT Rewind 2024 | Just sequels? How Hollywood stifled creativity as franchises and remakes dominated the box office

With all the highest-grossing films of the year either remakes, spinoffs, or sequels, the franchise model dominated Hollywood in 2024. A glance at the top ten highest-grossing Hollywood films of 2024 immediately reveals a telling pattern. All ten titles are sequels, remakes, or part of some franchise or cinematic universe.

This is, perhaps, the first time in the history of Western cinema when not a single ‘original’ story has managed to be among the year’s biggest films. The failure of much-hyped films like Megalopolis ensured that. But while in some cases. The clouds do not seem to be dissipating.

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originality failing was a case of bad quality, the sheer overwhelming domination of franchises shows that, at some level, Hollywood has stopped pushing original content. Years from now, when there is an obvious backlash to this trend, 2024 will be seen as the year when it all comes to a head.

Sequels, remakes, and spinoffs galore

Hollywood’s obsession with recognisable IPs is not new. For over three decades, studios have pushed sequels, franchises, and any way to make money based on the audience’s familiarity with characters and worlds. The birth of cinematic universes in 2008 sent that into top gear. This year, the world’s top 10 grossing films include nine Hollywood films.

Hollywood’s obsession with recognisable IPs is not new. For over three decades, studios have pushed sequels, franchises, and any way to make money based on the audience’s familiarity with characters and worlds. The birth of cinematic universes in 2008 sent that into top gear. This year, the world’s top 10 grossing films include nine Hollywood films.

all remakes or sequels -Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, Despicable Me 4, Moana 2, Dune Part Two, Wicked, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Kung Fu Panda 4, and Venom: The Last Dance 4. Incidentally, the only non-American film on the list – the Chinese film YOLO – is also a remake, an adaptation of the Japanese film 100 Yen Love.

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Independent cinema falls prey to franchise culture too

For decades, Independent cinema had existed as the bastion of originality and ‘different’ content. Unhindered by the studios’ demands and rules, indie filmmakers experimented with concepts and genres more freely. But this decade has shown that the last bastion is falling, too.

The highest-grossing indie film of the year is not just a sequel but a threequel. Terrifer 3, a horror film, made just $2 million, grossed $90 million worldwide, and even beat Joker 2 at the box office. It is now the highest-grossing unrated film in cinema history, and trade insiders feel that may encourage independent cinema to look at repeatable IPs.

Where did the originality go?

Original cinema has existed. Megalopolis, Francis Ford Coppla’s ambitious project, is the biggest example of it. That a filmmaker of his calibre had to invest $120 million of his own money to distribute and release it speaks volumes of the ‘acceptance’ of original ideas in Hollywood. The eventual box office debacle of the film means that studios will be even harder on original ideas that do not check all the boxes for a summer blockbuster.

The road ahead

Even beyond that, the hope for originality is bleak. Even Christopher Nolan’s next is an adaptation of one of the oldest to epics in history – The Odyssey. One can now wait for the next Jordan Peele film or a breakaway sleeper hit to correct the course somewhat. However, given the lack of support from the studios, it remains a tall order.

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#HTRewind2024 #HollywoodFranchises #SequelsAndRemakes #BoxOfficeTrends #StiflingCreativity #FilmIndustry #MovieReleases #Hollywood2024 #CreativeInnovation

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Allu Arjun

Hema Malini bursts out laughing at Baba Ramdev’s hazardous hair flip during holy dip at Maha kumbh. Watch

Published

4 weeks ago

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January 30, 2025

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Hema Malini bursts out laughing at Baba Ramdev’s hazardous hair flip during holy dip at Maha kumbh. Watch

Hema Malini took a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya, sharing a light moment with yoga guru Baba Ramdev during the event.

During the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj, a light-hearted moment between actress and BJP MP Hema Malini and yoga guru Baba Ramdev has garnered attention. The incident occurred during a holy dip in the Ganges River, a ritual observed by many devotees during the Kumbh.

As Baba Ramdev emerged from the sacred waters, he performed a vigorous hair flip to clear water from his long locks. This dramatic gesture, characteristic of his energetic persona, inadvertently splashed water towards Hema Malini, who was standing nearby. Caught off guard, Hema Malini burst into laughter, adding a spontaneous and joyful touch to the solemn occasion.

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The video capturing this candid interaction quickly spread across social media platforms, with many users appreciating the unscripted display of camaraderie between the two prominent figures. Comments highlighted the human side of public personalities, noting how such moments bridge the gap between celebrities and the general populace.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, is a significant religious event attracting millions of pilgrims from around the world. This year’s gathering has seen participation from various dignitaries, spiritual leaders, and celebrities, all coming together to partake in the holy rituals.

Hema Malini, known for her illustrious career in Indian cinema and her role as a parliamentarian, has been actively participating in the events at the Kumbh. She recently recited Sanskrit shlokas and spoke on the significance of Sanatan Dharma during her address at the Maha Kumbh Sabha in Prayagraj.

During the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj, a light-hearted moment between actress and BJP MP Hema Malini and yoga guru Baba Ramdev has captured public attention. As both emerged from a holy dip in the Ganges River.

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Baba Ramdev performed a vigorous hair flip to clear water from his long locks. This energetic gesture inadvertently splashed water towards Hema Malini, who was standing nearby. Caught off guard, she burst into laughter, adding a spontaneous and joyful touch to the solemn occasion.

The video capturing this candid interaction quickly spread across social media platforms, with many users appreciating the unscripted display of camaraderie between the two prominent figures. Comments highlighted the human side of public personalities, noting how such moments bridge the gap between celebrities and the general populace.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, is a significant religious event attracting millions of pilgrims from around the world. This year’s gathering has seen participation from various dignitaries, spiritual leaders, and celebrities, all coming together to partake in the holy rituals.

Hema Malini, known for her illustrious career in Indian cinema and her role as a parliamentarian, has been actively participating in the events at the Kumbh. She recently recited Sanskrit shlokas and spoke on the significance of Sanatan Dharma during her address at the Maha Kumbh Sabha in Prayagraj.

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Baba Ramdev, a renowned yoga guru and proponent of Ayurveda, to has been a prominent figure at the Kumbh, leading yoga sessions and engaging with devotees. His dynamic presence and enthusiasm have been well-received by attendees.

The shared moment between Hema Malini and Baba Ramdev serves as a reminder of the unity and shared joy that the Kumbh Mela fosters among its participants, transcending social and cultural boundaries.

For a glimpse into Hema Malini’s participation at the Maha Kumbh Sabha, you can watch the following video:


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