It’s no secret — 2025 is filled with movies and shows that are reboots, remakes, sequels, and spin-offs. For someone like me, who grew up loving summer blockbusters and binge-worthy teen dramas, the idea of seeing old favourites again sounded exciting. But now, I’m beginning to wonder: Do we actually want to go back?
Yes, nostalgia feels good. But at some point, don’t we all want something fresh?
Nostalgia Was Fun — Until It Got Exhausting
As a millennial, I grew up during what felt like the golden age of pop culture. Whether it was the release of Superbad, jamming to Sean Paul’s “(When You Gonna) Give It Up to Me”, or calling into the radio for the summer’s hottest track — those memories are precious. But today, it feels like studios are stuck trying to remake those moments, rather than create new ones.
From Final Destination 7 to another Mission: Impossible, followed by Megan 2.0, Lilo & Stitch, Jurassic Park: Rebirth, Superman, and I Know What You Did Last Summer — the list goes on. Some of them are good. But do we really need them all?
Are the New Versions Missing the Magic?
I enjoyed Final Destination 7, but it lacked the original’s grounded fear. Remember when a log truck on the highway genuinely terrified you? Now, the deaths feel more like over-the-top puzzles rather than anything that could really happen.
Similarly, Megan 2.0 felt like an unnecessary follow-up, and while Jurassic Park: Rebirth and the new Superman received strong reviews, there’s still that sense of déjà vu. It feels like we’ve seen it all before — just shinier and louder.
Where Has All the Original Content Gone?
It’s not that these remakes are bad. Some are quite enjoyable. But as a media professional and movie lover, I’m left wondering where the original stories have disappeared. Studios seem more focused on selling nostalgia than investing in something bold and new.
In the early 2000s, movies like The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Step Up, and Superbad brought something different. They created cultural moments — the kind you and your friends talked about for weeks. My 16-year-old nephew doesn’t have a “McLovin” moment. He’s just asking for my HBO Max password to watch Studio Ghibli.
Is Too Much Content Part of the Problem?
With Disney+, Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, and more, we have access to everything — and yet nothing feels iconic anymore. It’s not that today’s teenagers don’t care. It’s just harder to create shared cultural experiences when there’s so much content everywhere.
Back then, going to the movies was a major event. You picked a date with friends. You queued for tickets. You shared snacks and stayed back to discuss every scene. Now, even the most exciting new release can be just another thumbnail on a homepage.
Let’s Celebrate New Ideas — Not Just Old Memories
This isn’t about disrespecting the hard work that goes into reboots or sequels. As someone who went to film school, I know making even a short film is incredibly tough.
But when we see something as original as Everything Everywhere All at Once — which earned Jamie Lee Curtis an Oscar — it shows that audiences will show up for fresh content.
Lindsay Lohan recently reminded us of her magic in Our Little Secret and Irish Wish. And yes, I’ll still be watching Freakier Friday with Lohan and Curtis. But I want more stories like those — not just rewrites of our childhood.
