Hollywood’s Reboot Obsession: Has Cinema Lost Its Creative Spark?

Sitting in my local Odeon last weekend, watching yet another CGI dinosaur chase yet another terrified group of humans, I couldn’t help but feel a bit… well… knackered by it all. Seven Jurassic films in, and we’re still playing the same tune just with fancier instruments.

The Karaoke Director’s Club

When Gareth Edwards, director of Jurassic World: Rebirth, openly admitted to BBC’s Front Row that his approach was essentially cinematic karaoke, I nearly spat out my Tango Ice Blast. Not because it was shocking but because it was so refreshingly honest. Here’s a filmmaker basically saying, “Yeah, we’re copying Spielberg’s homework, and we’re not even trying to hide it.”

But hang on a minute is this really what we want from our filmmakers? To quote my nan watching Stars in Their Eyes: “If I wanted to hear Elton John, I’d put on an Elton John record.”

The Nostalgia Cash Machine

Let’s be real nostalgia sells. It’s why we’re getting “28 Years Later” (see what they did there?) and why every beloved 80s property is being dusted off faster than vinyl records in a hipster caf. Studios have turned reminiscence into a business model that’d make even Alan Sugar proud.

The numbers don’t lie: Original films in 2025 are about as rare as a London flat under 300k. But at what cost? When was the last time you left the cinema properly gobsmacked by something new?

The Art of Genre Cloning

Edwards’ approach to Jurassic World: Rebirth binging Spielberg clips on repeat to nail that classic feel is basically the filmmaking equivalent of using your mate’s Spotify playlist for a house party. Safe? Yes. Effective? Probably. Creative? About as much as a photocopier.

But Is It All Doom and Gloom?

Look, I’m not saying every reboot is naff. Sometimes they work brilliantly just look at what Denis Villeneuve did with Dune. The difference? He reimagined rather than recycled. It’s like covering a classic song: you either do a note-for-note tribute or you make it your own. The former might be safer, but the latter’s usually more interesting.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered

Why do studios keep making reboots?

Simple answer: money. Established franchises come with built-in audiences and lower marketing costs. It’s like opening a Greggs you know people will come.

Are original movies really dying out?

Not dying, but definitely struggling to get big-budget backing. Independent cinema and streaming platforms are increasingly becoming the home of original storytelling.

Will this reboot trend ever end?

Eventually, yes. As younger audiences show less nostalgia for older properties, studios will need to adapt or face diminishing returns. The question is: when?

The Bottom Line

As we watch Hollywood spin its wheels like a Love Island contestant trying to solve a Rubik’s cube, one thing’s clear: we’re at a crossroads. Yes, reboots can be brilliant when done right, but they shouldn’t be the only item on the menu.

Perhaps it’s time for audiences to vote with their wallets. After all, if we keep buying tickets to see the same stories told slightly differently, can we really blame Hollywood for serving them up?

Share your thoughts below what reboot has pushed you over the edge? Or better yet, what original film has given you hope for cinema’s future? Let’s get this conversation rolling faster than a boulder chasing Indiana Jones (who, yes, is probably getting a reboot as we speak).