10 Movies That Prove Reviving Iconic Franchises Can Actually Work

Nowadays, it is not at all uncommon for iconic movie franchises to be revived. Studios know that one of the most effective ways to succeed at the box office is by creating new films that already have massive fan bases, as this can essentially guarantee that the film will attract a large audience. Unfortunately, many of these franchise revivals prove to be rather unsuccessful when it comes to their actual quality. A crucial danger of reviving old franchises is focusing too heavily on simply showing fans what they want to see, instead of actually providing a well-constructed story.

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Thankfully, not every big-screen revival falls victim to this issue. Over the years, a handful of films have managed to find the proper balance between celebrating what audiences love about the original franchise, while also adding elements that help make the new addition a worthwhile inclusion. In doing this, the filmmakers have managed to create a product that audiences and critics alike can enjoy. Even though many revivals prove to be somewhat underwhelming, these films prove that bringing an iconic movie franchise back to life can be a positive experience all around.

10 Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes (2011)

Directed By Rupert Wyatt

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6.2/10 Rise of the Planet of the Apes pg-13Action Sci-FiDrama

A prequel and reboot to the Planet of the Apes franchise, Rise of the Planet of the Apes stars James Franco as pharmaceutical chemist Will Rodman. While working with apes, Rodman befriends Caesar (Andy Serkis), a particularly intelligent chimpanzee. Not all humans are as gentle with the apes as Rodman, however, and Caesar is destined to start the line of super-intelligent apes that will one day inherit the Earth.

Director Rupert Wyatt Release Date August 5, 2011 Studio(s) 20th Century Distributor(s) 20th Century Writers Pierre Boulle , Rick Jaffa , Amanda Silver Cast James Franco , Andy Serkis , Tom Felton , John Lithgow Runtime 105 Minutes Expand

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When the series first began, the Planet of the Apes franchise was an immediate hit in the world of science fiction cinema. The original franchise wound up including five total films within a span of only six years, ranging from 1968-1973. Decades later, the 2011 film, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, was not the first time the franchise had been revived, but it did prove to be the most successful.

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Instead of merely acting as a bland remake of the original film, Rise of the Planet of the Apes offered a completely new story, finally giving audiences a heavily desired look into how the apes first came to rule the Earth. The film was a massive success at the box office and well-received by critics, even managing to secure an Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects. Rise of the Planet of the Apes thoroughly rejuvenated the iconic franchise, inspiring a rebirth in its popularity and paving the way for a series of future Planet of the Apes films.

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9 The First Omen (2024)

Directed By Arkasha Stevenson

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8.5/10 The First Omen RHorror

The First Omen is a horror film from director Arkasha Stevenson that acts as a prequel to the 1976 film The Omen. The film follows a young woman who goes to Rome to become a nun but begins to question her faith after encountering a terrifying darkness that aims to spawn an evil incarnate.

Director Arkasha Stevenson Release Date April 5, 2024 Studio(s) Phantom Four Distributor(s) 20th Century Writers Ben Jacoby , Tim Smith , Arkasha Stevenson , Keith Thomas Cast Nell Tiger Free , Tawfeek Barhom , Sonia Braga , Ralph Ineson , Bill Nighy Runtime 119 Minutes Main Genre Horror Expand

Although initial reviews of Richard Donner’s 1976 horror feature, The Omen, were not overly positive, the spooky film did manage to accumulate quite a following later on. Because of this growth in popularity, it is not particularly surprising that The Omen ended up launching an entire series of sequels and reboots over the years. After a failed remake in 2006, the series went dormant until 2024, when The First Omen effectively managed to inject new life into the franchise.

The haunting film follows Margaret, a nun who gradually discovers a dark, ongoing conspiracy to bring a demonic child into the world.

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The First Omen offers a new perspective on the events that first launched the series, serving as a prequel to the original 1976 movie. The haunting film follows Margaret, a nun who gradually discovers a dark, ongoing conspiracy to bring a demonic child into the world. The First Omen has been praised by critics, with particular attention being given to the film’s artistry and the inspired work by Arkasha Stevenson in her feature directorial debut.

8 Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Directed By George Miller

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20 9.3/10 Mad Max: Fury Road RActionAdventureThrillerFantasy

Mad Max: Fury Road is the fourth film in George Miller’s long-running sci-fi franchise, with Tom Hardy starring as Max Rockstansky, a vagabond who lives on the road in an apocalyptic wasteland. When Max comes across a cult group that keeps its people in fear and under control with a monopoly on water and other crucial supplies, he joins up with Imperator Furiosa, a warrior woman leading a rebellion against the cult’s leader, Immortan Joe.

Director George Miller Release Date May 14, 2015 Studio(s) Village Roadshow Pictures , RatPac-Dune Entertainment , Kennedy Miller Mitchell Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers George Miller , Brendan McCarthy , Nick Lathouris Cast Tom Hardy , Charlize Theron , Nicholas Hoult , Zoë Kravitz , Hugh Keays-Byrne , Riley Keough , Courtney Eaton , Abbey Lee , Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Runtime 120 Minutes Expand

Thanks to the captivating work of writer/director George Miller, the Mad Max films are among the most popular post-apocalyptic action movies of all time. Unfortunately, after the 1985 addition, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, failed to fully live up to its predecessors, the future of the series was put into question. That is, until audiences were blown away by Mad Max: Fury Road, the explosive reboot fans had been craving for decades.

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Mad Max: Fury Road follows a thrilling journey across the desert wasteland, an imposing environment full of outlandish vehicles and deadly antagonists. The film not only offered plenty of satisfying thrills, but also featured a complex, emotional story at its core. Mad Max: Fury Road wound up being one of the most successful franchise revivals ever, making nearly 400 million dollars and accumulating an impressive ten Academy Award nominations (including for Best Picture), winning six of them.

7 Batman Begins (2005)

Directed By Christopher Nolan

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15 8.5/10 Batman Begins PG-13ActionAdventureCrimeDocumentaryDrama

Christopher Nolan’s take on Batman’s origin story sees Christian Bale take up the mantle of the Caped Crusader. Batman Begins follows young Bruce Wayne who, reeling from the murder of his wealthy parents, decides to become a vigilante in order to save Gotham City. This pits him against the mysterious League of Shadows, an organization intent on destroying Gotham with the help of the villainous Scarecrow and his powerful fear toxin.  

Director Christopher Nolan Release Date June 15, 2005 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Bob Kane , David S. Goyer , Christopher Nolan Cast Ken Watanabe , Liam Neeson , Gary Oldman , Tom Wilkinson , Linus Roache , Christian Bale , Katie Holmes , Mark Boone Junior , Michael Caine , Rutger Hauer , Cillian Murphy , Morgan Freeman Runtime 140 Minutes Expand

Batman is undoubtedly one of the most iconic heroes of all time, but there was a time when it seemed like a bad idea to keep making movies about the Caped Crusaders. After the failure of 1997’s Batman & Robin, audiences were very skeptical when it was revealed that the character would be returning to the big screen once again. Fortunately, Christopher Nolan defied these expectations with Batman Begins, launching a new era for the hero which would soon evolve into one of the most popular trilogies ever made.

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Batman Begins
portrays the origin story of the famous crime-fighter, showing how Bruce Wayne used his tragic past to help him evolve into Batman.

Even though the film wasn’t held quite as highly as its successor, The Dark Knight, it nonetheless pleased critics and audiences alike, introducing the world to a more serious, dramatic take on the world of superheroes. Batman Begins left a powerful legacy, paving the way for a bright future for the franchise by redefining what a Batman movie could be.

6 Creed (2015)

Directed By Ryan Coogler

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9.3/10 Creed PG-13DramaDocumentary

Creed is a spin-off/continuation of the boxing drama franchise Rocky. Set years after the original Rocky series, Creed follows Adonis Johnson, the estranged son of Apollo Creed, on a journey to Philadelphia to find his father’s friend/rival, Rocky Balboa. Now training to follow in his father’s footsteps, Creed fights to become the best boxer in the world.

Director Ryan Coogler Release Date November 25, 2015 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Aaron Covington , Ryan Coogler Cast Michael B. Jordan , Sylvester Stallone , Wood Harris , Graham McTavish , Tessa Thompson , Phylicia Rashad Runtime 2h 13m Expand

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In 1976, audiences were dazzled by Rocky, the Best Picture-winning sports drama that made Sylvester Stallone a household name. The numerous sequels, however, did not garner nearly the same level of acclaim. Eventually, after nearly a decade without a new Rocky film, the franchise did get a proper rebirth in the form of Creed. Directed by Ryan Coogler, Creed shifts the focus to Adonis Creed, an up-and-coming boxer who seeks the mentorship of Rocky Balboa, with Stallone returning to reprise his historic role.

Creed finally gave fans of Rocky the revival they had been waiting for. Instead of just forcing the character of Rocky to keep reliving the same story, the film took the character in a new direction, showing that he has a complex, interesting life outside the ring. Stallone’s return even earned him an additional Academy Award nomination, with Michael B. Jordan’s charismatic lead performance going on to inspire multiple sequels as well.

5 The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes

Directed By Francis Lawrence

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11 8/10 The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes PG-13ActionAdventureDrama

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a prequel movie set 64 years before the events of the original movie with Katniss Everdeen. The film centers on a young Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) and shows his rise to power as the leader of Panem. Taking place during the 10th Hunger Games, Snow is tasked with mentoring Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), the tribute from District 12.

Director Francis Lawrence Release Date November 17, 2023 Studio(s) Color Force , Lionsgate Distributor(s) Lionsgate Writers Michael Lesslie , Michael Arndt , Suzanne Collins Cast Tom Blyth , Rachel Zegler , Hunter Schafer , Jason Schwartzman , Peter Dinklage , Josh Andrés , Josh Andrés Rivera , Viola Davis Runtime 157 Minutes Expand
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The Hunger Games may have started as a series of young adult novels, but it quickly grew into a widespread pop culture phenomenon. The original series of movies involved four installments, one each year from 2012-2015. Eventually, in 2023, the nation of Panem was brought back to life with a new, dramatic, action-packed feature that added a whole new level of depth to the franchise. Directed by Francis Lawrence, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes explores the origins of Coriolanus Snow, the powerful, cold-hearted antagonist of the original series.

While this new addition to the franchise certainly features more of the deadly games that fans love to see, it also dives deep into the complicated world outside the arena. With an all-new cast and an eye-opening look into the backstory of a prominent character, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes breathed a new life into the series, one that managed to make audiences even more curious about what other stories could be told within this world. With another installment already on the way, it is quite possible that this latest addition has inspired a new Renaissance for the series.

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4 Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Directed By Jon Watts

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17 8.3/10 Spider-Man: Homecoming PG-13SuperheroActionAdventureSci-FiComedyDrama

After making his MCU debut in Captain America: Civil War, Tom Holland is back as Peter Parker for a new Spider-Man solo film. This time, Peter battles with Adrian Toomes, who takes on the moniker Vulture after profiting off of selling Chitari technology and weapons. Under Tony Stark’s guidance, Peter must prove himself a hero while protecting his city from Vulture and the other criminals in New York. Spider-Man: Homecoming was the first of three films in director Jon Watts’ MCU journey, dubbed the “Homecoming” trilogy.

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Director Jon Watts Release Date July 7, 2017 Studio(s) Marvel , Sony Distributor(s) Disney Writers Christopher Ford , John Francis Daley , Jon Watts , Erik Sommers , Jonathan Goldstein , Chris McKenna Cast Michael Keaton , Martin Starr , Angourie Rice , Robert Downey Jr. , Marisa Tomei , Bokeem Woodbine , Logan Marshall-Green , Garcelle Beauvais , Michael Mando , Zendaya , Tom Holland , Jon Favreau , Donald Glover , Hannibal Buress Runtime 133 minutes Main Genre Superhero Expand

The beloved superhero, Spider-Man, has appeared in numerous films over the years, with varying degrees of success. Fortunately, the 2017 revival gave audiences a very well-received take on the beloved character.Spider-Man: Homecoming ushered in a new era for Spider-Man, with Tom Holland stepping into the role of the titular hero for a whole new series of adventures. The first film in this modern revival follows Peter Parker as he struggles to balance his personal life with the troubles of secretly being Spider-Man, all while having to face off against the intimidating Vulture (played by Michael Keaton).

The film includes an enjoyable blend of action and comedy, never failing to remind viewers that Spider-Man is merely a well-meaning high school student with a very unusual ability.

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For the most part, Spider-Man: Homecoming managed to capitalize on all the elements audiences have loved most about the character over the years. The film includes an enjoyable blend of action and comedy, never failing to remind viewers that Spider-Man is merely a well-meaning high school student with a very unusual ability. Being able to function both as an entertaining stand-alone film and as a valuable inclusion in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Spider-Man: Homecoming offers something for all types of viewers.

3 Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Directed By Joseph Kosinski

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10 9.3/10 Top Gun: Maverick PG-13ActionDramaWar

Top Gun: Maverick is the sequel to the 1986 original film starring Tom Cruise as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a top-tier pilot in the Navy. Thirty years after the original film’s events, Maverick is asked to head up a section of the TOP GUN program to embark on a dangerous mission. Things become personal when the program includes the son of Maverick’s late friend, forcing him to confront his past.

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

Nearly 40 years after Top Gun hit theaters, a much-anticipated follow-up was finally released. Top Gun: Maverick brings Tom Cruise back to the skies, reprising his role as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, who now finds himself tasked with training the latest batch of Top Gun graduates for an important mission. With a charming story and tons of high-altitude thrills, Top Gun: Maverick was exactly the revival that fans of the original film were hoping for.

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Top Gun: Maverick actually managed to outperform its predecessor, both commercially and critically. The film earned a whopping 1.5 billion dollars at the box office, making it the second highest grossing film of the year (only behind Avatar: The Way of Water). It was also nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, managing to take home the award for Best Sound. Even though there was only one Top Gun film before it, Top Gun: Maverick made the most of its source material, establishing a powerful franchise in the world of action cinema.

2 Halloween (2018)

Directed By David Gordon Green

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8/10 Halloween RHorrorThriller

Halloween is the first film of the David Gordon Green-directed sequel trilogy to the 1978 original horror/slasher film. Having been institutionalized for forty years after the events of the original Haddonfield murders, Michael Myers escapes during a prison transfer to pursue his original target, Laurie Strode. Having lived in fear of his shadow for years, Laurie learns of his return, setting the stage for war while trying to protect her daughter and granddaughter from her masked tormentor.

Director David Gordon Green Release Date October 18, 2018 Studio(s) MiraMax , Blumhouse Productions , Trancas International , Rough House Pictures Distributor(s) Universal 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 Runtime 106 Minutes Expand

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When it comes to slasher films, few franchises have gathered more attention over the years than the Halloween movies. Starting in 1978, the franchise featured the iconic killer, Michael Myers, following the numerous individuals who have tried to defeat him over the years. Somewhat unsurprisingly (seeing as there are more than a dozen installments in the series), not every Halloween movie has matched the quality of the film that started it all. In 2018, a new Halloween made the bold decision to erase the previous sequels, and serve as a direct follow-up to the original film.

Halloween (2018) features the powerful return of Jamie Lee Curtis, with the Oscar-winning actress reprising her role as Laurie Strode, the only survivor of the gruesome events of the first film. Set forty years after the original movie, Halloween (2018) forces Laurie to face Michael Myers once again, while simultaneously dealing with the memories of her horrific past. The film finally offers a proper follow-up to the horror classic, ignoring the questionable narrative decisions of the previous sequels, while being sure to include all the spooky elements that drew people into the franchise.

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1 Casino Royale (2006)

Directed By Martin Campbell

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7.3/10 Casino Royale PG-13ActionAdventureCrimeThriller

The twenty-first film in Eon’s James Bond franchise, Casino Royale, stars Daniel Craig as secret agent 007. Introducing Craig to the role with an origin story, Casino Royale shows Bond earning his MI6 codename before being tasked with infiltrating a casino in Montenegro in order to bankrupt a terrorist financier known as Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen). However, Bond’s assignment is more complicated than it seems, as Le Chiffre seems to have inside knowledge of the MI6 agent’s plan.

Director Martin Campbell Release Date November 14, 2006 Studio(s) Sony Distributor(s) Sony Writers Neal Purvis , Robert Wade , Paul Haggis , Ian Fleming Cast Daniel Craig , Eva Green , Mads Mikkelsen , judi dench , Jeffrey Wright , Giancarlo Giannini Runtime 144 minutes Expand

While the James Bond franchise has seldom gone more than a few years without a new addition, the 2006 feature, Casino Royale, stood out as a film that reinvented the iconic spy in a way that greatly excited its audience. Casino Royale was the first film to introduce Daniel Craig to the role of Bond, indicating the start of yet another new era for the franchise. In this 21st installment of the series, Bond finds himself performing his duties in a casino, where he must partake in an ultra-high stakes poker game against a very intimidating foe.

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Reinventing such an iconic character is no easy feat, but director Martin Campbell managed to do so in a way that generally pleased audiences, including Bond fanatics and first-time viewers alike. Craig’s version of the character was younger and grittier than most of the previous Bonds, but still maintained the suave nature and undeniable skills that made the character so famous over the years. By creating a seamless combination of elements new and old, Casino Royale revived the James Bond movie franchise for a new generation of viewers.

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