Movies

These 10 Movies Brought Life Back Into Nearly-Dead Franchises

BBG News

Time and again, long-lasting film series experience ups and downs, yet a single outstanding movie can pull a franchise from the verge of collapse. These remarkable films revive franchises that appear to be spiraling uncontrollably downwards, either by returning to core principles or by introducing groundbreaking new concepts.

Over time, any enduring franchise must adapt in order to stay relevant and offer fresh experiences for its audience, rather than simply rehashing familiar ideas. Such changes can be risky, yet they are far more satisfying than timidly repeating the past.

10. Casino Royale (2006)

James Bond Needed To Get With The Times

The James Bond film series, being one of the longest-running major movie franchises, was starting to feel somewhat outdated before Casino Royale. Each phase of the franchise has its unique character, yet it’s also tied to traditional elements for a sense of continuity. This can make it challenging to introduce fresh ideas.

In a modern twist, the film Casino Royale revitalized the James Bond series as it appeared to be fading from the action movie scene. Once more, Bond was leading the pack in terms of action cinema excellence. Daniel Craig’s portrayal of Bond had its highs and lows, but it did push boundaries significantly. However, the upcoming James Bond movie is under considerable pressure and may need another groundbreaking move like Casino Royale to usher in a new era for the franchise.

9. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)

Mission: Impossible Wouldn’t Be Where It Is Today Without Ghost Protocol

Impossible” movie injected excitement into the spy genre by blazing a new trail that wasn’t too tied to the TV show. However, the series lost some momentum with its second installments. Just before “Ghost Protocol,” it looked like the franchise might run out of steam.

In terms of the Mission: Impossible series, while there are enjoyable scenes in the second and third films, it wasn’t until Ghost Protocol that the franchise truly shone at its best. Ghost Protocol boasts a well-defined narrative, exciting action sequences, and the breathtaking stunts that the series is known for. As Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is about to be released, it’s worth reflecting on the movie that set the stage for this franchise.

8. Fast Five (2011)

Fast Five Championed A Bold New Direction

Following a high-octane debut, the Fast and Furious series encountered some stagnation, particularly in its fourth installment, indicating a need for fresh concepts. Lucky for us, Fast Five was brimming with those, and it’s been guiding the franchise since then. If not for Fast Five, we wouldn’t be anticipating Fast 11 today.

In a fresh take on the street racing genre, Fast Five prioritizes heist scenes, expanding the franchise’s scope. The action is more diverse in Fast Five, while still maintaining the auto-centric excitement that sets the series apart. Notably, the addition of Dwayne Johnson to the cast significantly influenced the direction of subsequent movies within the franchise.

7. Jurassic World (2015)

Jurassic World Brought Dinosaurs Back To The Big-Screen

Following the impact of “Jurassic Park” on the science fiction genre, it was only a matter of time before a series emerged. Yet, the sequence didn’t stay on course for long. After Steven Spielberg left the franchise, there were signs that “Jurassic Park III” could potentially bring everything to an abrupt end.

After a 14-year hiatus, I was thrilled when Jurassic World resurrected the franchise. Not only did it revitalize the series, but it also paved the way for future installments by blending fresh characters with familiar ones from the past. History seems to have a pattern here. Despite Jurassic World: Dominion being a commercial triumph, it received harsh criticisms. It appears that once more, Jurassic World Rebirth might be our savior, rescuing the franchise yet again.

6. Creed (2015)

The Rocky Franchise Couldn’t Go On Forever

In a nutshell, Rocky earned an Oscar for Best Picture, yet the series soon found a niche as a sports franchise, chronicling the boxing journey of its namesake. However, this theme didn’t prove to be particularly enduring, despite attempts to extend the storyline beyond the point where Rocky’s fighting years seemed plausible.

In simpler terms, Rocky Balboa was a refreshing revival for the series, yet it felt like a fitting end to the storyline after its highs and lows. On the other hand, Creed managed to infuse fresh energy into the franchise by introducing an engaging new character, while Sylvester Stallone delivered an impressive performance in his supporting role.

5. Batman Begins (2005)

Batman Brought An Iconic Hero Back To The Top

In the ’80s and ’90s, the Batman movies tended to decline in quality, culminating in the critically disliked Batman & Robin, featuring George Clooney. At that point, it seemed like the franchise was doomed, but Christopher Nolan brought the iconic character back to life with a fresh and daring approach.

Apart from rejuvenating the Batman series, the movie “Batman Begins” left a significant mark on the entire superhero genre. It paved the path for future comic book adaptations by blending crime-thriller elements, demonstrating a fresh approach to grounded superhero films within the Dark Knight franchise.

4. Prey (2022)

Prey Has Expanded The Potential Of The Predator Franchise

Predator serves as a beacon of ’80s action cinema, where Arnold Schwarzenegger discharges witty remarks while guiding a team of black ops operatives through a hazardous jungle. The science fiction aspect distinguishes Predator from other films of its time, but the series hasn’t consistently recaptured that initial thrill.

The allure of the Predator franchise has often lured fans with divisive sequels and Alien crossovers, but it’s rare to find a film like Prey that truly realizes its potential. This movie not only reverts the series to its origins but also offers something remarkably unexpected. If we were to get more films similar to Prey, they might prove far more engaging than the other sequels.

3. Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes (2011)

Planet Of The Apes Has Always Been In The Shadow Of The First Movie

In a more casual and understandable manner: The initial “Planet of the Apes” film didn’t quite manage to recapture the same enchantment as the original movie, largely because the shocking twist was too difficult to re-create effectively. This issue, along with others, affected the 2001 remake as viewers were already aware of what would happen. However, the prequel series has excelled by choosing not to focus on the twist.

From a movie enthusiast’s perspective, diving into the prequel series of “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” is like embarking on a captivating journey that slowly unveils how our world eventually falls under the dominion of intelligent apes. This intriguing finale is yet centuries away in the distant future, leaving ample room for unique narratives and memorable characters to make “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” an engaging spectacle in its own right. It kick-started a thrilling new franchise that has already churned out four fantastic science fiction movies, with promising additions on the horizon.

2. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Fury Road Was Trapped In Development Hell For Decades

The Mad Max series seemed to be on hiatus prior to Fury Road, with George Miller focusing on various projects outside of that genre. It’s been a considerable 30 years since the last sequel, leading many Mad Max fans to believe they wouldn’t revisit the Wasteland again. However, Fury Road proved to be worth the wait, and its success has already given rise to a spinoff titled Furiosa.

It wasn’t originally planned for 30 years to pass before making Fury Road. In truth, Miller had a desire to carry on the series shortly after Beyond Thunderdome, but its development was delayed due to various factors over the years. With Fury Road, it became clear that Miller hadn’t lost his knack for storytelling, and potential sequels could be in the works in the future.

1. Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

The Shrek Franchise Looked To Have Died Twice Already

Initially, Shrek Forever After appeared to be the final chapter in the Shrek saga; however, a standalone Puss in Boots movie followed suit. Following these films, the series remained inactive for quite some time as The Last Wish struggled through development limbo. Yet, when it eventually debuted, it exceeded all anticipations.

As a die-hard fan, let me express my excitement: “The Last Wish” surpasses the previous “Puss in Boots” film and even outshines any “Shrek” movie since “Shrek 2” in 2004. It’s not just an improvement; it’s a breath of fresh air, showcasing a daring new animation style that breaks tradition. A glance at the early glimpses of “Shrek 5” reveals that the franchise is embracing this innovative aesthetic, underscoring the groundbreaking impact of “The Last Wish”.

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2025-04-24 16:52

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