But it has intensified after the success that Disney enjoyed with its Marvel films. They exist to create intellectual property that can pollinate the consumer products, television and other divisions of the Comcasts and Time Warners of the world.įranchise mania isn’t new. Their value isn’t measured in box office. Studios are small parts of sprawling media conglomerates. They’re the inspiration for toy lines, t-shirts and theme park rides. Characters from sequels are more likely to pop up in ads for cars or fast food.

To that end, sequels tend to travel, playing particularly well in markets such as China that have become a critical source of revenue.įranchise films also lead to greater merchandising opportunities. As the domestic theatrical business slows, the one area of growth is the foreign box office.

Franchises are the straw that stirs a studio’s drink. There’s a financial reason for the pile-up. In fact, nearly every weekend this summer will offer up at least one sequel, reboot or spinoff. Over the coming weeks, moviegoers will be treated to fresh installments in the “Ghostbusters,” “Independence Day,” “Finding Nemo,” “Star Trek,” “Jason Bourne” and “Ice Age” series. After all, it’s not like the sequels are showing any signs of stopping. If it’s true that audiences are rejecting franchises en masse, it undermines the financial underpinnings of the movie business and it means that major studios should brace for a punishing summer.

It follows 2 sequel 2016