Reviving Sci-Fi Franchises: 8 Reboots and Sequels That Resurrected Beloved Universes
Discover how these sci-fi movie reboots and sequels breathed new life into iconic franchises, bringing back the magic and nostalgia for fans worldwide.
Science fiction movie franchises can come back to life through reboots or long-awaited sequels. It's tough to keep a franchise fresh with new movies, even the biggest ones with a long history have had some failures. Some franchises, like The Invisible Man or Planet of the Apes, ended because of a series of bad movies.
However, when a sci-fi franchise ends, it's not always a bad thing. Some have chosen to end a story early because it's complete. For example, Back to the Future hasn't had a reboot since the original trilogy, keeping the saga intact. On the other hand, George Miller finished his original Mad Max series and then came back to it years later. Many of the best sci-fi movies are part of larger sagas that have had their ups and downs.
Dune (2021)
Denis Villeneuve transformed Frank Herbert's novel into a multimedia franchise.
Dune promo art featuring the main ensemble cast with Paul walking through the sands of Arrakis. - Denis Villeneuve transformed Frank Herbert's novel into a multimedia franchise. - Dune (2021)
Frank Herbert's Dune, one of the most famous sci-fi novels, has been adapted for the big screen multiple times. The first adaptation in 1984, directed by David Lynch, was not well-received by critics or audiences. This led to the belief that the book was impossible to adapt. In 2000, a television miniseries was created, providing a detailed adaptation of the novel, although it did not offer the same cinematic experience as a big-screen production.
In 2021, director Denis Villeneuve released his version of Dune, based on Frank Herbert's novel, to great success. The movie was well received by both critics and audiences, leading to the creation of a larger franchise. Villeneuve decided to split the adaptation into two parts, with the second installment scheduled for release on March 1, 2024. This sequel was met with high praise and became a box-office hit. Following this success, Villeneuve is now working on adapting the second Frank Herbert novel, Dune Messiah, for the big screen. Additionally, a prequel HBO series titled Dune: Prophecy, produced by Villeneuve, is set to premiere in late 2024.
Jurassic Word (2015)
The Jurassic World reboot brought the franchise back to commercial prominence.
A collage of characters from the Jurassic World franchise and the Jurassic Park logo - The Jurassic World reboot brought the franchise back to commercial prominence. - Jurassic Word (2015)
Considered one of Steven Spielberg's top movies, the original Jurassic Park is regarded as one of the greatest blockbusters of all time. It held the title of highest-grossing film until Titanic surpassed it in 1997. While two sequels followed in 1997 and 2001, they did not quite live up to the first movie. More than ten years later, the franchise was brought back to life with Jurassic World, introducing a new series starring Chris Pratt. Although Jurassic World may not have received the same critical praise or storytelling as the original, the films have been commercially successful enough to continue expanding the franchise.
Jurassic Park Movies Rotten Tomatoes Reception | ||
|---|---|---|
Jurassic Park (1992) | 92% | |
The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) | 54% | |
Jurassic Park III (2001) | 49% | |
Jurassic World (2015) | 71% | |
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) | 46% | |
Jurassic World: Dominion (2022) | 29% | |
Mad Max: Fury Road
George Miller's Mad Max reboot redefined the franchise.
Nux hanging off the hood of a car in Mad Max: Fury Road - George Miller's Mad Max reboot redefined the franchise.
The Rise of the Planet of the Apes
In 2011, Rise of the Planet of the Apes marked the beginning of a new era for the iconic franchise. The film served as a reboot, exploring the origins of the intelligent apes and their eventual rise to power. With groundbreaking visual effects and a compelling storyline, Rise of the Planet of the Apes set the stage for a series of successful sequels.
After Tim Burton's 2001 flop, 2011's Planet of the Apes movie brought the franchise back.
Caesar in Rise of the Planet of the Apes - After Tim Burton's 2001 flop, 2011's Planet of the Apes movie brought the franchise back.
Blade Runner 2049
The original Planet of the Apes movie was a huge success, but the franchise struggled for years until Rise of the Planet of the Apes in 2011 breathed new life into the series. The real turning point came with Matt Reeves' Dawn of the Planet of the Apes in 2014 and War for the Planet of the Apes in 2018. Now, fans are eagerly awaiting the release of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes in 2024.
Blade Runner 2049 spawned multiple TV series in the Blade Runner universe.
Ryan Gosling as K looking worried in Blade Runner 2049 - Blade Runner 2049 spawned multiple TV series in the Blade Runner universe.
Blade Runner, the original movie, is often considered one of the most artistically crafted and thematically rich science fiction films ever made. Despite having Harrison Ford in the lead role, the 1982 classic did not achieve commercial success initially and underwent multiple re-cuts before Ridley Scott's vision was fully realized in the 2007 version known as The Final Cut. It wasn't until a decade later that the true potential of Blade Runner as a franchise was finally recognized.
Although Blade Runner 2049 did not perform well at the box office, it paved the way for the title to be developed into a successful franchise in the future.
Godzilla (2014)
In 2014, Gareth Edwards brought back the iconic monster Godzilla in a modern retelling that delighted fans and introduced a new generation to the legendary creature. Despite mixed reviews, the film was a box office success, leading to the creation of a shared cinematic universe known as the MonsterVerse. This paved the way for sequels like Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Godzilla vs. Kong, expanding the lore and bringing more epic monster battles to the screen.
2014's Godzilla was the first successful American rendition.
Godzilla walks in front of a bridge with the sun past the horizon in Godzilla (2014) - 2014's Godzilla was the first successful American rendition.
"The Invisible Man (2020)"
One of the longest-running movie franchises in history, Godzilla first premiered in 1954 and sparked numerous sequels, spin-offs, and reboots. Toho Co. in Japan has produced 33 Godzilla movies, while there have been five American-made versions. Despite the failure of Roland Emmerich's 1998 reboot, Gareth Edwards breathed new life into the Hollywood franchise in 2014. In recent years, the Godzilla series has seen a surge in popularity in America, with several sequels and even an Apple TV+ TV show. Fans are eagerly awaiting the release of "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" in 2024.
2020's Invisible Man reboot was a vast improvement over decades of awful renditions.
A hand print on the shower glass in The Invisible Man - 2020's Invisible Man reboot was a vast improvement over decades of awful renditions. - The Invisible Man (2020)
In 2021, Ghostbusters: Afterlife was released as a continuation of the beloved Ghostbusters franchise. The film received positive reviews from both fans and critics, bringing back nostalgic elements while introducing a new generation of characters. Ghostbusters: Afterlife successfully captured the essence of the original movies while adding a fresh twist to the storyline.
After a failed 2016 reboot, Ghostbusters: Afterlife brought the '80s series back.
Dan Aykrody as Ray Stantz, Bill Murray as Peter Vankman, and Ernie Hudson as Winston Zeddemore Ghostbusters original team use their blasters in Afterlife - After a failed 2016 reboot, Ghostbusters: Afterlife brought the '80s series back. - Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
The original Ghostbusters is a beloved classic that combines science fiction with comedy, providing audiences with an enjoyable cinematic experience. However, its 80s follow-up, Ghostbusters II, did not receive the same level of acclaim, causing the franchise to fade away for many years. Despite a failed reboot in 2016, which was met with negative reviews and poor box office results despite having a talented cast, the series made a successful comeback in 2021 with Ghostbusters: Afterlife. This surprise hit has been well-received and a sequel is set to be released in 2024.
Editor's P/S:
This article provides a fascinating overview of the resurgence of several iconic sci-fi franchises through reboots and sequels. The examples of Dune, Jurassic World, Mad Max, and Blade Runner demonstrate that even franchises that have encountered setbacks can be revitalized with fresh perspectives and innovative storytelling. The article highlights the importance of balancing nostalgia with originality, as well as the role of technology and visual effects in enhancing the cinematic experience.
It is intriguing to consider the factors that contribute to the success of a franchise reboot. Is it the return of beloved characters, the introduction of new narratives, or the utilization of advanced filmmaking techniques? Perhaps it is a combination of all these elements. Moreover, the article raises questions about the future of these franchises. Will they continue to thrive, or will they eventually reach a point of diminishing returns? The ongoing evolution of these sci-fi sagas promises to provide both entertainment and insights into the changing landscape of filmmaking and audience preferences.
