Have you ever sat down in a movie theater, popcorn in hand, and thought, “Wait, didn’t I just see this movie last year?” Well, you're not alone. Welcome to the world of franchise fatigue, a condition that's sweeping the entertainment world faster than a superhero in tights. From Fast & Furious to Star Wars, it feels like every other movie, TV show, or streaming series is part of a franchise that’s going on… and on… and on.
But the question remains: Is franchise fatigue a real thing? Is the entertainment industry really running out of steam when it comes to revamping these familiar universes, or are we just being picky? Let’s break it down, shall we? Buckle up because this might feel like a rollercoaster ride through the land of endless sequels!
Is Franchise Fatigue Actually Real?
Yes, it’s real, and it's happening as we speak. The term franchise fatigue refers to that moment when audiences—exhausted from a never-ending wave of sequels, reboots, spin-offs, and prequels—start to yawn and wonder if it’s finally time for these money-making machines to shut down.
Think about it: Marvel, Star Wars, Fast & Furious, Jurassic Park, Transformers—the list goes on and on. These franchises aren’t just movies or shows; they’ve become multi-billion-dollar universes that keep churning out content with a few familiar faces and explosions. And at first, we’re all here for it! But as the years go by, the magic starts to fade. Instead of being excited for the next installment, we’re now questioning: "Is this really necessary? Didn’t we already see this?"
It’s like when your favorite pizza joint keeps serving you the same pizza every week—after a while, even the tastiest toppings just won’t do the trick.
Why Is Franchise Fatigue Happening?
Franchise fatigue is sneaking up on us for several reasons, some more obvious than others. Let’s take a closer look at the culprits:
The Money Machine (aka “The Safe Bet”): Here’s the cold, hard truth: sequels make a lot of money. Studios don’t want to take risks on fresh ideas when they know the Marvel Cinematic Universe will bring in billions. Why bother creating something new when you can churn out another Avengers movie and rake in millions? Studios love the safety net of established franchises because they have a guaranteed fanbase. That’s why we’ve seen the Fast & Furious crew become less about street racing and more about defying gravity—because that’s what makes money.
More Content, More Problems: The rise of streaming services has led to an insane amount of content, and what better way to fill that content gap than by revisiting franchises? Instead of taking a chance on something new, we get more of what we know. This can leave viewers feeling overwhelmed and eventually tired of the same-old-same-old.
The Need for More (But Not Better): Some franchises are now just cranking out content to milk the brand. Reboots (we’re looking at you, Ghostbusters), spin-offs (Star Wars: The Mandalorian), and prequels (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power) are all attempts to extend a franchise's lifespan. However, when studios prioritize quantity over quality, the results often feel like “we’ve seen this before,” causing fatigue to creep in. No matter how many Fast & Furious cars you throw into space, we can only suspend our disbelief so much.
A Star Is Born... Again and Again: Ever notice how some franchises can’t let go of their stars? It's like every movie brings back a familiar face, whether it makes sense or not. Vin Diesel and Paul Walker may have raised eyebrows at first, but now it feels like a Fast & Furious film without them would be downright bizarre. The problem? These characters can’t always grow and evolve; they’re stuck in a loop, which bores audiences—eventually.
How Is Franchise Fatigue Happening?
Okay, so now we know franchise fatigue is real, but how is it actually playing out in the world of movies and TV? Let’s take a closer look at some key examples:
The Fast & Furious Saga: Now on its 10th movie (and counting), the Fast & Furious series has become an epitome of franchise fatigue. What started as a fun street racing movie has evolved into a ridiculous, globe-trotting action saga where cars fly into space and characters get more invincible with every movie. But even diehard fans are starting to roll their eyes. The action is over-the-top, the dialogue cringey, and the characters, while lovable, aren’t exactly adding anything new. Still, the box office numbers keep coming in. Why? Because franchise fatigue isn’t a death sentence—it’s just a slow burn.
Star Wars: The Sequel Trilogy (Sigh): After the Force Awakens reignited excitement for Star Wars fans everywhere, the sequels quickly showed us the perils of milking a franchise without clear direction. By the time The Rise of Skywalker came around, fans were exhausted by the inconsistent storytelling, endless cameos, and yet another battle between good and evil. Sure, there’s nostalgia, but the magic was gone.
Marvel’s Oversaturation Problem: Ah, Marvel—the heavyweight champion of franchises. But even Marvel has its limits. After Avengers: Endgame, audiences felt a sense of closure. So when Phase 4 started rolling out movies like Eternals and Shang-Chi, things felt… well, off. Despite still being a cash cow, Marvel's saturation—adding Disney+ series, endless spinoffs, and new superhero origin stories—has made some fans wonder if it’s too much. Secret Invasion? Armor Wars? At some point, it starts feeling like Marvel is just trying to keep the train moving, even if it’s running out of track.
How Is It Affecting Fans and Franchises?
Fans:
For audiences, franchise fatigue means more disappointment than excitement. It’s like opening a gift every year, only to find that it’s the same one as last year, just in a different box. While fans still show up, they’re increasingly selective about what they’ll actually engage with. If they’ve already seen six Batman reboots or eight Spider-Man films, they’re asking, “Do we really need another?”
Even more frustrating, fans begin to feel like they’re being taken for granted. When a franchise becomes too formulaic or corporate-driven, it stops feeling like something made with passion and care. Instead, it’s just a cash grab—fans know it, and they’re not shy about it.
Franchises:
For the franchises themselves, the impact of fatigue can be brutal. After all, no one wants to be the franchise that overstays its welcome. When the formula wears thin, studios risk completely alienating their fanbase. Sure, Fast & Furious might make bank for now, but every poorly received installment chips away at the franchise’s credibility. And let’s not even talk about Transformers—once an unstoppable juggernaut, now a series that’s been struggling to recapture the magic.
How Can We Escape Franchise Fatigue?
Give Fans What They Want (Innovation, Not Repetition): Fresh, bold ideas are the antidote to franchise fatigue. Take risks, introduce new characters, and explore untapped parts of the franchise universe. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse nailed this by offering a visually stunning and unique take on the character. Marvel’s upcoming Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is looking to do something similar by exploring alternate realities in a way that feels new. Innovation is key!
Limit Sequels and Spinoffs: Less is more. Maybe the best franchises aren’t the ones that keep churning out new content every year. Instead, it’s the ones that take their time and deliver high-quality stories that matter. Maybe we don’t need a Fast & Furious 12. Maybe we just need one really, really good one.
Embrace the Power of Television: Sometimes, less is more—if the format suits it. With streaming, TV shows allow for deeper storytelling without the pressure of cramming everything into a two-hour movie. Look at The Mandalorian—it added depth to the Star Wars universe without overwhelming the fans. More long-form content, please!
Let’s hope Hollywood’s next big move involves giving us something fresh, rather than another spin-off we didn’t know we needed. The magic isn’t gone—it just needs to be rekindled.
And until then, let’s all just try to enjoy that next sequel... even if it’s the 10th one in a row.