The top trending movies of 2024 reveal one increasingly problematic trend that isn’t going to end anytime soon. While there have been a number of recent movie sequels that have exceeded all expectations, audiences are becoming increasingly skeptical about Hollywood’s latest direction. That’s not to say that the culture is entirely new, as Hollywood has been embracing sequels for decades. However, this genre of film has dominated the screen throughout 2024 — with some seeing more success than others. This may signal a departure from the creative spirit that once defined Hollywood.
For the most part, studios are eager to revisit established properties because it is a guaranteed formula for commercial success. The prospect of seeing these cherished, household names back on the big screen is appealing to audiences and studios alike. There’s an undeniable demand for returning to these universes that challenges the need for any new stories, and these films generate buzz up until their release because of the nostalgia they bring along with them. With the upcoming movie sequels releasing in 2025, it is obvious that Hollywood’s latest movement is becoming even more concerning.
All But 2 Of 2024’s Top 10 Trending Movies On Google Are Sequels
Saltburn And It Ends With Us Are The Only Original Projects Among 2024’s Trending Movies
The upsurge in sequel productions is largely a consequence of films released in 2024. All but two of Google’s top 10 movies for this year are sequels, leaving only 20% of the trending releases as original works. The significant decline from last year is indicative of the problems associated with Hollywood’s latest trend. Among the top spots are Inside Out 2 and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, two sequels that demonstrate the differing degrees of anticipation for the next installment. Inside Out 2 unequivocally reverses Pixar’s stance on sequels, as the second film was a huge commercial success as a result of the first movie’s favorable reputation.
| Google’s Top 10 Trending Movies For 2024 | Studio | No. Of Previous Installments |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Inside Out 2 | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | 1 |
| 2. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice | Warner Bros. Pictures | 1 |
| 3. It Ends With Us | Sony Pictures Releasing | N/A |
| 4. Saltburn | Amazon MGM Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures | N/A |
| 5. Dune: Part Two | Warner Bros. Pictures | 1 |
| 6. Twisters | Universal Pictures/Warner Bros. Pictures | 1 |
| 7. Deadpool & Wolverine | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | 2 |
| 8. Despicable Me 4 | Universal Pictures | 3 |
| 9. Terrifier 3 | Cineverse Corp./Iconic Events | 2 |
| 10. Alien: Romulus | 20th Century Studios | 8 |
With this technique proven successful, the studio is now open to more sequels and has no shortage of stories deserving of continuation. In truth, It Ends With Us did perform well globally, but it did not come close to the performance level of its sequel competitors. More to this, Saltburn only grossed a rather weak $21 million worldwide. These figures indicate that audiences were more interested in returning characters than original ones, especially those with favorable reputations or an extended break — such as Burton’s Beetlejuice. This ultimately outpaced the demand for original works and resulted in a prioritization of established franchises.
2025’s Upcoming Movies Prove The Sequel Trend Isn’t Ending Anytime Soon
Wicked: Part Two And Avatar: Fire And Ash Will Be Some Of 2025’s Biggest Releases
A large proportion of 2025’s upcoming blockbuster movie releases are sequels. This includes projects across a great number of established franchises, such as Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible, or Jurassic World: Rebirth by Universal Pictures. These sequels have come to be expected, and can be scheduled far beyond their official confirmation. Audiences have faith that a selection of these movies will deliver, regardless of whether they are critically praised, because of their ongoing legacy in Hollywood. Not to mention, Marvel’s annual calendar contributes to considerable anticipation for works such as Captain America: Brave New World, especially with the addition of Harrison Ford.
However, 2025 will also reinstate a number of IPs that have remained unfrequented for many years. The announcement of Now You See Me 3 and 28 Years Later surprised fans who had long believed that these franchises were completed. Given the profitability of sequels, it is clear that this Hollywood trend will persist, and audiences can eagerly anticipate the next chapter of their favorite characters. The revival of Now You See Me and The Devil Wears Prada sets the precedent that every franchise is susceptible to resurgence, resulting in Hollywood sustaining this trend beyond 2025, for many years to come.