https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/2023/

In the landscape of the 2023 Box Office, a prevalent trend emerges—live-action
adaptations, sequels, and narratives rooted in real events dominate the silver screen.
From the enchanting allure of Barbie and The Little Mermaid to the gripping tales of
Oppenheimer and The Sound of Freedom, and from the highly anticipated continuations
like Guardian of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 to the epic saga of Avatar: The Way of Water, the film
industry finds itself immersed in a wave of familiar narratives and recurring themes.
This inundation of recycled stories and concepts has garnered widespread criticism
across various media platforms and social spheres.

I recently stumbled on an article that further explained this dilemma as to why directors
might go this route:
https://vocal.media/geeks/lack-of-originality-in-the-world-of-movies-should-we-be-worri
ed-about-it

The article discusses the prevalence of reboots, sequels, and adaptations in the film
industry, emphasizing the balance between known content and originality. It highlights
reasons why relying on familiar content can be advantageous, such as easier audience
engagement and financial success. However, it also raises concerns about how an
excessive focus on established franchises and characters might stifle innovation and
limit opportunities for new, original storytelling. The author advocates for a balance
between known content and originality, suggesting that both can coexist in the movie
industry for a stronger creative landscape.

The prevalence of remakes and adaptations is often perceived as a symptom of creative
inertia among film distributors. However, delving deeper, it becomes apparent that
profit play a pivotal role in this trend. Why gamble on uncharted
territory with original stories when the allure of a built-in audience awaits in sequels or
adaptations of already beloved tales? The mitigated risk inherent in these established
narratives is a driving force behind the substantial budgets and elaborate marketing
campaigns lavished upon movies such as Barbie.

This paradigm shift in the industry underscores a dilemma between creativity and
financial security, prompting a reevaluation of the balance between originality and the
guaranteed appeal of familiar narratives.