10 Movies That Did Nostalgia Bait Incredibly Well

Summary

• Perfect balance of nostalgia and creativity in successful movie adaptations captivates both old and new audiences.
• Effective use of nostalgia bait elevates storytelling and adds emotional depth to beloved franchises for fans.
• Nostalgia in movies can serve as a tribute to the past while creating new and exciting narratives for the future.

Warning: Spoilers For Deadpool & Wolverine Ahead!Nostalgia bait can be one of the most frustrating parts about a movie, particularly in the modern era of cinema where remakes, sequels, and adaptations are very common. It is a tool that can often seem cheap, overused, or some combination of both of these. However, other times, nostalgia bait is executed very well, not just for the sake of fan service, but in a way that adds to the intrigue of the movie’s narrative and its characters.

Whether it’s through a movie’s use of a well-placed cameo, or one that has the utmost respect for its source material, nostalgia bait needn’t be wholly written off as lazy film-making. Certain movies can demonstrate nostalgia bait’s true potential, honoring the legacy of beloved franchises while acting as an open door for new and exciting material. When used badly, nostalgia bait can be one of the worst parts of a movie and even leave viewers confused, as is what happened in The Flash, but when used effectively, it can elevate the movie to unprecedented heights.

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10 Five Nights At Freddy’s (2023)

Adapted From The Five Night’s At Freddy’s Video Game Franchise (2014-Present)

Five Nights at Freddy’s was a horror movie under a lot of pressure when it first released, as it had to bear the weight of the beloved titular video game franchise into a movie while providing a fresh and compelling narrative. Its respect for the Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise is evident through its excellent use of nostalgia bait. It’s a movie that manages to balance appealing to existing fans of the franchise while bringing in new audiences.

From the unchanged designs of the iconic animatronics, the prevalent use of jump scares, and of course, William Afton’s (Matthew Lillard) final line being “I always come back“, Five Nights at Freddy’s is a movie that feels like it truly understands what fans of the original games wanted. It is not a perfect movie adaptation by any stretch, but it captures the core essence of what made the Five Nights at Freddy’s games so popular and loved. It delivers the nostalgia in perfect portions, leaving enough room to tell a creative and engaging story.

Five Nights at Freddy’s RHorrorThriller Where to Watch

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Director Emma Tammi Release Date October 27, 2023 Studio(s) Blumhouse Productions , Scott Cawthon Productions , Striker Entertainment Writers Scott Cawthon , Seth Cuddeback , Emma Tammi Cast Josh Hutcherson , Matthew Lillard , Elizabeth Lail , Piper Rubio , Mary Stuart Masterson , Kevin Foster , Jade Kindar-Martin , Jessica Weiss , Roger Joseph Manning Jr. Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Runtime 109 Minutes Expand

9 Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018)

The Clever And Joyous Sequel To Mamma Mia! (2008)

Even before its use of nostalgia bait was revealed, it was clear that Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again would follow in the footsteps of its 2008 predecessor in the most important way – it would be a musical movie full of life, charm, and joy. As it acts as both a prequel and sequel to Mamma Mia!, the movie has the unique ability to create the perfect blend of nostalgia and genuine creativity as it tells the now deceased Donna’s (Lily James/Meryl Streep) backstory and focuses on her daughter Sophie’s (Amanda Seyfried) attempts to follow in her mother’s footsteps.

As it acts as both a prequel and sequel to
Mamma Mia!
, the movie has the unique ability to create the perfect blend of nostalgia and genuine creativity as it tells the now deceased Donna’s backstory and focuses on her daughter Sophie’s attempts to follow in her mother’s footsteps.

Audiences finally see how Donna met Sam (Jeremy Irvine/Pierce Brosnan), Bill (Josh Dylan/Stellan Skarsgård), and Harry (Hugh Skinner/Colin Firth), a narrative that works as a nostalgic experience while also telling a brand-new story. A short cameo by Meryl Streep in the movie’s final scene, and the return of the ever-iconic ABBA song, Dancing Queen, to the soundtrack act as the cherries on top of a wonderful nostalgic, yet refreshing movie. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again‘s clever use of nostalgia bait means that it works as a prequel, a sequel, and even as a stand-alone movie.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again PG-13MusicalComedy Where to Watch

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Director Ol Parker Release Date July 20, 2018 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Writers Ol Parker Cast Meryl Streep , Andy Garcia , Pierce Brosnan , Christine Baranski , Dominic Cooper , Amanda Seyfried , Julie Walters , Colin Firth , Stellan Skarsgård , Lily James , Cher Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Runtime 114minutes Expand

8 Halloween (2018)

A Fantastic Sequel To Halloween (1978)

Despite there being nine movies in the Halloween franchise released between the 1978 original and the 2018 sequel, Halloween (2018) disregards those movies entirely from its plot. Because the movie is a direct sequel to Halloween (1978), the movie easily returns to the roots of what made the original so terrifyingly iconic, albeit with a modern twist on the tale. Nostalgia bait is just one of the key factors that contributed to Halloween‘s critical and commercial success when it was released in 2018.

There are numerous thematic nods to the original, including the use of John Carpenter’s legendary score, which continues to play a key part in making Michael Myers’ presence terrifying. There is also a new twist instilled in a recreation of the famous closet sequence, which acted as a crucial plot point of the 1978 movie’s final act, showcasing Halloween’s ability to use the success of the original to create something truly special. Halloween (2018) is a relatively simple slasher, just like the 1978 original, and it is the nostalgic nods to this movie that makes the movie so endearing for both new and old fans.

Halloween (2018) RHorrorThriller Where to Watch

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Director David Gordon Green Release Date October 18, 2018 Studio(s) MiraMax , Blumhouse Productions , Trancas International , Rough House Pictures Writers David Gordon Green , Danny McBride , Jeff Fradley , John Carpenter , Debra Hill Cast Jamie Lee Curtis , Judy Greer , Andi Matichak , Will Patton , Virginia Gardner , James Jude Courtney , Nick Castle Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Runtime 106 Minutes Expand

7 Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

Misunderstood Sequel To The Ghostbusters Duology (1984-1989)

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After the commercial failure of the 2016 reboot, Sony opted to provide a canonical sequel to the iconic 80s comedy series with the release of Ghostbusters: Afterlife in 2021. It is a movie that has often made headlines for its nostalgia bait, and not always for good reasons, with some critics arguing that Afterlife focuses too much on fan service at the expense of a compelling narrative (via Kotaku). While the recycling of Gozer as the movie’s antagonist did feel slightly lazy, it’s also arguable that Afterlife‘s nostalgia bait is incredibly overcriticized.

Of course, there are proton packs and the return of the Ecto-1, but Afterlife goes further than that, featuring all four original Ghostbusters in the story. This is where the movie is criticized for it’s overuse of nostalgic fan service, but this appears to be a misunderstanding. Seeing the original Ghostbusters alongside Afterlife‘s young cast evokes a true sense of the passing of the torch, and also acts as a touching tribute to Harold Ramis, the man who played Egon Spengler in the original and co-wrote it alongside fellow Ghostbuster, Dan Aykroyd.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife PG-13FantasyComedy Where to Watch

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Director Jason Reitman Release Date November 19, 2021 Studio(s) Disney Writers Gil Kenan , Jason Reitman Cast Dan Aykroyd , Finn Wolfhard , Sydney Mae Diaz , Bill Murray , Tracy Letts , Oliver Cooper , Carrie Coon , Marlon Kazadi , Bokeem Woodbine , Ernie Hudson , Sigourney Weaver , Annie Potts , Logan Kim , Paul Rudd , Mckenna Grace , Celeste O’Connor Distributor(s) Disney Runtime 124 minutes Expand

6 Jurassic World (2015)

Refreshing Sequel To The Jurassic Park Trilogy (1993-2001)

Jurassic World helped to revitalize the beloved Jurassic Park franchise by building upon the nostalgia and success of the 1993 original. Yes, the plot is certainly very similar, telling the story of escaped dinosaurs, but Jurassic World goes far beyond this. It’s a movie that builds a sense of continuity to the iconic original using nostalgic references but also has a lot to say for it’s intriguing story and brand-new characters.

Seeing BD Wong return as Dr. Henry Wu is also a welcome and his new villainous role once again demonstrates the movie’s ability to take certain features of the original, but tweak them in a way that keeps the
Jurassic Park
franchise fresh.

For example, the original Jurassic Park movie portrayed the velociraptors as vicious killing machines, and while they retain this trait in Jurassic World, the movie builds on the universe’s lore by having Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) train them. The notion that dinosaurs can be domesticated adds a whole new and exciting dimension to the franchise, which evidently has a lot of respect for the 1993 movie as well. Seeing BD Wong return as Dr. Henry Wu is also a welcome and his new villainous role once again demonstrates the movie’s ability to take certain features of the original, but tweak them in a way that keeps the Jurassic Park franchise fresh.

Jurassic World PG-13 Sci-Fi Where to Watch

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Director Colin Trevorrow Release Date June 12, 2015 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Writers Amanda Silver , Colin Trevorrow , Rick Jaffa , Derek Connolly Cast Bryce Dallas Howard , Chris Pratt , Omar Sy , Jake Johnson Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Runtime 124 minutes Expand

5 Avengers: Endgame (2019)

The Climax Of The MCU’s Infinity Saga (2008-2019)

A movie that acted as the culmination of 11 years of the MCU, Avengers: Endgame had an enormous amount of pressure on its shoulders, pressure that ended up making a true diamond of a movie. Considering that the majority of Endgame‘s narrative revolves around the Avengers traveling back in time to key moments in the MCU, it is a movie that doesn’t feel like it overuses nostalgia baiting specifically for fan service. It is, ultimately, a careful balancing act between the past and the present.

From the recreation of the Battle of New York, to Thor revisiting Asgard, Endgame is clearly full of nostalgic, crowd-pleasing moments. However, it is this nostalgia that seems to amplify the emotional and material stakes at play in the movie. Tony Stark’s (Robert Downey Jr) fatal sacrifice at the end of the movie is not only a call-back to when Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) criticized him for not being “the guy to make the sacrifice play”, but also signals the end of the character’s 11-year-long arc. Endgame is probably the most famous example of a movie using nostalgia to elevate its storytelling, and it is clear to see why.

Avengers: Endgame PG-13FantasyAdventureAction Where to Watch

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Director Joe Russo , Anthony Russo Release Date April 26, 2019 Distributor(s) Disney , Marvel Writers Stephen McFeely , Christopher Markus Cast Chris Hemsworth , Anthony Mackie , Paul Rudd , Robert Downey Jr. , Scarlett Johansson , Mark Ruffalo , Evangeline Lilly , Sebastian Stan , Josh Brolin , Elizabeth Olsen , Tom Holland , Don Cheadle , Samuel L. Jackson , Bradley Cooper , Karen Gillan , Brie Larson , Paul Bettany , Chris Evans , Jeremy Renner , Chadwick Boseman Runtime 182 Minutes Expand

4 Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015)

Sequel To The Two Live-Action Star Wars Trilogies (1977-2005)

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Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens was a seminal moment in movie history, not just for its box office numbers, but for how it reignited the Star Wars franchise for a new generation. It managed to achieve this watershed status by drawing heavily on the themes and characters of the original Star Wars trilogy, but used this nostalgia to depict a new story full of excitement. Perhaps the most famous use of nostalgia bait ever, it only takes a quick glance at audience reactions to seeing the Millennium Falcon in The Force Awakens‘ trailer to realize the true cultural impact of a movie built off of its predecessors.

It’s a thrilling movie that expertly uses nostalgia to rekindle the love for a galaxy far, far away for a whole new generation.

Its story may be criticized for being derivative of Episode IV – A New Hope, but this by no means diminishes the nostalgic excitement that The Force Awakens has to offer. From Kylo Ren’s (Adam Driver) cracked T-shaped lightsaber, to the return of Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), and Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), The Force Awakens bridged the gap between those who had seen the original trilogy release, and those just starting to get into the franchise. It’s a thrilling movie that expertly uses nostalgia to rekindle the love for a galaxy far, far away for a whole new generation.

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Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens PG-13ActionAdventureFantasy Sci-Fi Where to Watch

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Director J.J. Abrams Release Date December 17, 2015 Studio(s) Lucasfilm Ltd. , Bad Robot Writers Lawrence Kasdan , J.J. Abrams , Michael Arndt Cast Daisy Ridley , John Boyega , Oscar Isaac , Harrison Ford , Mark Hamill , Carrie Fisher , Adam Driver , Andy Serkis , Lupita Nyong’o , Max Von Sydow , Peter Mayhew , Simon Pegg Distributor(s) Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Runtime 136 Minutes Main Genre Sci-Fi Expand

3 Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)

An Insanely Fun Installment To The MCU (2008-Present)

A pairing that fans of Marvel had wanted to see for years finally came to be with the release of Deadpool & Wolverine. This is a movie that acts as a blueprint for how to do nostalgia baiting effectively for the movies of the future. At the time of writing, Deadpool & Wolverine has grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide in just over a month, a major success that is largely due to the movie’s excellent blending of character chemistry with a clever take on nostalgia (via BoxOfficeMojo).

Of course, witnessing the return of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine is the movie’s primary, and most public, nostalgic appeal, but Deadpool & Wolverine goes far deeper than this. Including a vast array of cameos from across live-action Marvel movies (not just limited to the MCU), the movie uses this mountain of nostalgia to provide endings for characters including Blade (Wesley Snipes) and Elektra (Jennifer Garner). Its approach to fan service is both meta and novel, using nostalgia bait as a means to propel its narrative forwards, anchoring the two titular heroes to a story full of chaos, emotion, and excitement.

Deadpool & Wolverine RAction Sci-FiComedySuperhero

Director Shawn Levy Release Date July 26, 2024 Studio(s) Marvel , Maximum Effort Writers Rhett Reese , Paul Wernick , Shawn Levy , Ryan Reynolds , Zeb Wells , Rob Liefeld , Fabian Nicieza Cast Ryan Reynolds , Hugh Jackman , Emma Corrin , Morena Baccarin , Rob Delaney , Leslie Uggams , Karan Soni , Matthew Macfadyen , Brianna Hildebrand , Shioli Kutsuna , Stefan Kapicic , Lewis Tan , Randal Reeder , Jennifer Garner , Aaron Stanford , Billy Clements , Ollie Palmer , Chris Hemsworth , Rob McElhenney Distributor(s) Disney Runtime 127 Minutes Main Genre Action Expand

2 El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019)

Sequel To Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

El Camino serves as an epilogue to the highly acclaimed TV show Breaking Bad, telling the story of Jesse (Aaron Paul) following his escape from torture and imprisonment. As the narrative progresses, the nostalgia for Breaking Bad really kicks in, with Jesse having to face the ghosts of his past, featuring flashback cameos of numerous iconic characters from the TV series. As El Camino was directed and written by Breaking Bad‘s creator Vince Gilligan, it’s a movie that makes audiences feel like they never left the show.

El Camino captures all the nostalgia that made Breaking Bad so special, and uses this to deliver a story that truly feels essential, rather than just an afterthought. It provides much-needed closure to Jesse, while also featuring a scene with Walter White (Bryan Cranston). This scene, while certainly acting as nostalgia bait and fan service, also re-emphasizes the incredible chemistry between Walter and Jesse, and adds another level of depth and intrigue to the characters and their dynamic.

El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie TV-MADramaCrimeAction Where to Watch

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Director Vince Gilligan Release Date October 11, 2019 Writers Vince Gilligan Cast Krysten Ritter , Jonathan Banks , Matt Jones , Aaron Paul , Robert Forster , Bryan Cranston , Jesse Plemons , Charles Baker Studio(s) Netflix Distributor(s) Netflix Runtime 122 minutes Expand

1 Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Sequel To Top Gun (1986)

A sequel that is truly worthy of the metaphorical “Better Than The Original” title, Top Gun: Maverick is a masterclass in how to do nostalgia bait correctly. It taps in to the aesthetic and drama of the 1986 original, highlighting a level of continuity while also providing a brand-new story featuring brand-new characters. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell’s (Tom Cruise) is obviously the primary source of nostalgia for many fans of the original here, but it is the callbacks and references in other areas that truly makes Maverick an incredible movie.

It’s a movie that, while supported by nostalgia, isn’t dependent on it and doesn’t use it in superficial ways.

From the opening scene set to Kenny Loggins’ “Danger Zone”, to the mirroring of the student-mentor relationship, and of course, the return of the iconic leather jacket and sunglasses, Maverick honors the original Top Gun in the best possible way. It’s a movie that, while supported by nostalgia, isn’t dependent on it and doesn’t use it in superficial ways. Emotional weight is added to the story through the return of Iceman (Val Kilmer), and pushes Maverick himself forward to constantly change while remaining true to his core, rebellious values.

Sources: Kotaku, BoxOfficeMojo.

Top Gun: Maverick PG-13ActionDramaWar Where to Watch

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Director Joseph Kosinski Release Date May 27, 2022 Writers Ashley Miller , Justin Marks , Peter Craig , Zack Stentz Cast Tom Cruise , Miles Teller , Jennifer Connelly , Val Kilmer , Jay Ellis , Jon Hamm , Bashir Salahuddin , Charles Parnell , Lewis Pullman , Glen Powell , Monica Barbaro , Ed Harris Runtime 130 Minutes Main Genre Action Expand

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Category: Entertainment