I recently went to the movies, which is rare. Ticket prices always seem to be a little higher this time than the last and, unless they’re being snuck in from home, forget about snacks. So when I decide to indulge, I do so with high expectations. I want a movie to amaze or surprise me, as do lots of people.
When I browsed through the selection of movie posters on display near the theater’s entrance, I noticed something disappointing. Some of the most popular movies that recently have been released include “Jurassic World,” “Entourage,” “Mad Max: Fury Road,” “Poltergeist,” “Cinderella” and “Annie.”
Together, these films have generated over $903 million and counting in box office sales. Yet, all of them are remakes or spin-offs of movies and shows that already exist.
I thought it was weird to have so many remakes out at once, but it turns out to be a trend. In the year 1981, the top 10 U.S. grossing films contained seven original films, according to Box Office reports. In 2011, the top 10 included eight sequels, two adaptations and no original films. In the years leading up to now, it hasn’t been getting much better.
Upcoming films include another “Terminator,” another “Mission Impossible” and another “Fantastic Four.” Moviegoers buy into recycled content all the time. But with a lack of originality in the film industry, I don’t completely blame them.
The problem is that it’s all too easy to produce a movie with stories that are already popular. People are more likely to pay and see the stories or characters they already love. Releasing an original film is a hit-or-miss.
And if that film doesn’t meet its box office quota, we’re talking about a multi-million dollar miss.
Take Seth MacFarlane’s “A Million Ways to Die in the West” and “Transcendence” (featuring Johnny Depp) as recent examples. Both are original films with A-list celebrity involvement and a good amount of advertising. However, both films had a considerably low box-office turnout which, in turn, lost a good bit of money.
What is needed in the mainstream film industry is a demand for originality. A lot of independent filmmakers already put out critically-acclaimed original content but lack the financial resources to put it on the map. Even the indie-films that win multiple awards at festivals often go unnoticed by the public.
I recommend people research a little more before they go to the movies. Often times, movie theaters will have one or two independent films listed. Don’t just take the easy route and choose the story you already know.
If moviegoers take a risk with original content, the industry will match it.
Zoe Geauthreaux is a 20-year-old mass communication junior from New Orleans.