A recent trend with many blockbuster films that have come out recently have been criticized as being unoriginal rehashings of intellectual properties of past generations. Not only is this problem visible in the film industry, but with a sequel to the popular 90’s TV show, “Full House,” having just come out and the never ending sequels to the “Call of Duty” video game franchise. Companies are quick to cash in on popular brands and intellectual properties to ensure sales and profit.

Many modern media companies have been bringing old IP’s back at the expense of the consumers who expect original entertainment rather than new stories from familiar characters and situations. Hollywood has the ability to use their owned IPs as much as they like, but many consumers question whether or not this is beneficial for the entertainment industry as a whole.

A popular and new example of the rehashing of old ideas in the entertainment industry, is “Fuller House“. “Fuller House” is based off of the 90’s sitcom, Full House. The show, which debuted Feb. 26, centers around the majority of the original cast set in the future. The show has set the entertainment world abuzz, especially among adults who had watched the show when they were kids. “Fuller House” is an example that is viewed as mostly positive from its viewer base despite many sequels and re imaginings being considered unoriginal by many.

“I think it’s great they are making a sequel to ‘Full House’,” said senior Claire Weber. “I used to watch it a lot when I was younger.”

Most films that are based on or are a continuation of an already well established franchise of the past, sell extremely well. Between 2010 and 2015, five out of the six top grossing movies from each decade is based on a previously established franchise, these movies being, Toy Story 3, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows (part 2), Marvel’s the Avengers, the Hunger Games: Catching Fire, and Star Wars: the Force Awakens. The only top grossing movie of the year so far in this decade is American Sniper, which was from 2014. Sequels are usually very popular, especially from a well established franchise. Most of the top grossing movies based on old IPs were direct sequels, except for the Avengers. Though, there was a nearly 10 year gap between Star Wars Episode III, and the latest film.

“I think sequels do so well because people already know what they are going to get,” said junior Brian Trigilgas. “They know what the genre is already. And they usually already know many of the characters.

Despite this trend of continuing old ideas for movies and T.V., many movies don’t stop from having new and creative ideas. The top grossing so far in the year has been “Deadpool” which is a super hero movie, but unlike many superhero movies it is the first movie from this particular franchise. Deadpool is based on the comic of the same name, and is said to provide a fresh perspective in the genre of superhero movies.

“Deadpool is a much needed refresher in movies,” said Tregilgas. “I watch quite a few movies and I get tired of the never ending sequels and so-called re imaginings.”

Sequels have long been part of the movie industry and they will not be going away anytime soon, despite complaints. But, reimaginings of old movies, that are not meant to be sequels are relatively new, and these have become ever more popular, with “Fuller House” and even another “Godzilla”. The trend is new and is not going away, despite claims of unoriginality, as they are more likely to make money, when based off an already well established franchise.