Storytelling in Hollywood Loses Momentum and Direction
In the world of cinema, the differences between Western culture, particularly the US, and Japan are stark, especially when it comes to movie choices. While Hollywood is gearing up for a year dominated by rehashes and reboots, Japan seems to be more open to original films.
The success of the live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch in 2023, which topped the US box office with over $1 billion, further supports the trend of rehashes in the US movie industry. This triumph may indicate a preference for nostalgia-based content among US audiences.
The year 2025 is no exception, with multiple rehashes of popular franchises making their way to the big screen. Notable among these are "Jurassic World Rebirth," a reboot in the highly successful Jurassic franchise, and the fourth iteration of the Fantastic Four.
Netflix is also jumping on the bandwagon, with a remake of the 1993 action thriller Cliffhanger under Jaume Collet-Serra’s new multi-year deal. This project, featuring stars Lily James and Pierce Brosnan, indicates Hollywood’s ongoing trend of revisiting and updating past hits for modern audiences, especially on streaming platforms.
While these three movies are not known for their originality, they are the biggest releases that Hollywood studios have pinned their hopes on in 2025. The lack of original films breaking the US box office top 15 in 2024 continues this trend, with the offenses of the past in terms of box office originality being leaped over in 2025.
However, it's not all about rehashes. The film industry is also seeing a shift towards streaming partnerships and global partnerships. This approach leverages brand recognition in an environment marked by a steep decline in local production activities, as seen in the challenging production climate in Hollywood.
Film and TV production in Los Angeles has plunged to historic lows in early 2025, with nearly half of U.S. projects now filming abroad due to rising costs and labor issues. Employment in California’s film/TV sector is down 35% from 2022, and stage occupancy rates have fallen sharply.
Amid the decline in U.S. production, studios like Netflix are signing multi-year deals and releasing reimagined older properties primarily on streaming platforms. This strategic emphasis on franchise reboots and sequels linked to prior successes, combined with a significant shift toward streaming collaborations, seems to be Hollywood's way of navigating economic and labor challenges impacting traditional production hubs.
Meanwhile, Japan, as the world's third-largest cinema market, is experiencing a different dynamic. While specifics vary, it appears that original films may have a better chance of success in Japan compared to the US. This disparity in movie choices between Western culture and Japan continues to be a fascinating study in cinema markets.
Movie commentary reveals a stark contrast in the entertainment industry between Western culture, particularly the US, and Japan. While Hollywood mostly invests in rehashes and reboots, Japan seems to favor original films, a difference seen in their movie choices.
Amidst this trend of rehashes in the US, the success of Japan's movie market with more original films remains a captivating study in cinema markets.
