By Kaliyah Green
The resurgence of nostalgia in cinema tugs at heartstrings, yet risks dulling creativity by recycling tropes instead of pioneering fresh ideas. Instead film goers get to see sequels, reboots and remakes — often stifling originality, leading to a cycle of safe, formulaic storytelling.
The trend of nostalgic money grabs opposed to original ideas affects film as a whole by limiting risk-taking. Studios prioritize established intellectual properties over fresh ideas, making it harder for new voices and stories to break through.
People who whine about Hollywood not making anything “original” don’t look into these original films when they come out, nor do they watch the original shows when they premiere.
They’ll go for what they’re comfortable with, whether it’s a franchise that has been around for decades or a spinoff based on something that existed when they were younger. This contradiction is one of the reasons why Hollywood keeps relying on nostalgia-driven filmmaking.
Nostalgia has become a crutch for studios seeking guaranteed box office success. Disney’s live action remakes, such as “The Lion King” and “Mulan,” have been criticized for adding little to their original animated counterparts, yet were smash hits at the box office.
Similarly, franchises like “Jurassic World” and “Star Wars” have suffered from diminishing creative returns because they rely too heavily on fan service rather than storytelling depth. This overreliance on nostalgia dilutes the power of classic films.
Studios need to craft compelling new stories instead of recycling old films. The biggest consequence of this trend is the lack of opportunities for original storytelling. Filmmakers with fresh ideas struggle to secure funding, as studios prioritize established intellectual properties over new concepts.
This prioritization has created a film landscape where trying out new ideas is minimized and storytelling becomes increasingly homogenized. While independent and international films continue to innovate, mainstream Hollywood feels stuck in an endless cycle of reboots and sequels.
Personally, I tend to gravitate towards original stories outside of Hollywood major franchises. Independent films and streaming platforms offer more creative freedom, resulting in unique and thought-provoking storytelling.
That being said, nostalgia isn’t inherently bad — it’s how it’s used that determines its value. When nostalgia serves as a foundation for fresh storytelling, it can create something truly special and classic. When it’s used as a lazy attempt to capitalize on existing fan bases, it contributes to the creative stagnation of mainstream film.
If Hollywood continues down this path, audiences may eventually tire of seeing the same stories recycled, leading to a greater demand for originality.
