7 Genres Hollywood Keeps Trying to Revive (and Keeps Failing)
Hollywood loves digging into its past, chasing the magic of genres that once packed theaters and glued viewers to screens. But not every comeback works out. Some genres, despite repeated attempts, just can’t recapture their former glory, often leaving audiences disappointed with lackluster reboots or uninspired takes.
From monster flicks to musicals, I’ll break down seven genres Hollywood keeps trying to revive but struggles to get right. Each has a storied history, but modern efforts often fall flat, whether due to stale formulas, mismatched tones, or simply failing to connect with today’s viewers.
Monster Movies
Horror-action monster films, like ‘Alien’ (1979) or ‘The Thing’ (1982), once thrilled with their terrifying creatures and tense storytelling. Classics like ‘Jaws’ (1975) and ‘Tremors’ (1990) set a high bar with iconic beasts and clever premises.
Recent attempts, like ‘The Mummy’ (2017) and ‘Alien: Covenant’ (2017), leaned too heavily on CGI and franchise-building over character-driven stories. Audiences want fresh, nightmare-inducing monsters, not recycled tropes or soulless action sequences, leaving these revivals feeling hollow and forgettable.
Supernatural Horror with Religious Themes
Films like ‘The Exorcist’ (1973) and ‘The Omen’ (1976) defined supernatural horror with chilling tales of demonic forces and religious dread. Their raw power came from tapping into universal fears of the unknown and unstoppable evil.
Modern takes, such as ‘The Nun’ (2018) or ‘The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It’ (2021), often prioritize jump scares and predictable plots over the eerie atmosphere of their predecessors. These films struggle to match the originals’ depth, leaving viewers more bored than scared.
Epic Romance
Sweeping love stories like ‘Gone with the Wind’ (1939) and ‘Titanic’ (1997) once dominated box offices with their emotional weight and grand scale. They blended passion with unforgettable settings, capturing hearts worldwide.
Today’s attempts, like ‘The Light Between Oceans’ (2016) or ‘Adrift’ (2018), often feel forced or lack the raw chemistry needed to sell the romance. Hollywood seems hesitant to invest in these big-budget love stories, and the results often feel small-scale or overly sentimental.
Westerns
Westerns, from ‘Stagecoach’ (1939) to ‘Unforgiven’ (1992), were once Hollywood’s backbone, delivering gritty tales of honor and survival. The genre’s golden age, led by stars like John Wayne, crafted timeless stories of the frontier.
Recent efforts like ‘The Magnificent Seven’ (2016) or ‘The Lone Ranger’ (2013) struggle to find relevance, often feeling like pale imitations weighed down by modern action tropes or mismatched casting. Audiences crave authenticity, but these reboots rarely deliver the genre’s rugged soul.
Musicals
The golden era of musicals, with hits like ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ (1952) and ‘West Side Story’ (1961), brought vibrant song-and-dance stories to life. These films wove music into compelling narratives, creating pure cinematic magic.
Modern musicals like ‘Cats’ (2019) or ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ (2021) often misfire, either with bizarre visuals or stories that feel out of touch. The genre demands a delicate balance of spectacle and heart, but recent attempts lean too heavily on nostalgia or fumble the execution.
Young Adult Dystopian
The success of ‘The Hunger Games’ (2012-2015) sparked a wave of young adult dystopian films, blending teen angst with high-stakes sci-fi worlds. These stories resonated with their mix of rebellion and relatable characters.
Flops like ‘Divergent’ (2014-2016) and ‘The 5th Wave’ (2016) followed, but they lacked originality or compelling leads, diluting the genre’s appeal. Audiences grew tired of repetitive chosen-one narratives, and Hollywood’s rush to cash in left the genre feeling stale and abandoned.
Action-Comedy Reboots
Action-comedy franchises like ‘Men in Black’ (1997-2012) and ‘Charlie’s Angels’ (2000-2003) once blended sharp humor with thrilling action, creating crowd-pleasing hits. Their charm came from charismatic stars and clever scripts.
Revivals like ‘Men in Black: International’ (2019) and ‘Charlie’s Angels’ (2019) fell flat, missing the wit and chemistry of the originals. These reboots often lean on outdated gags or fail to capture the fun, leaving audiences nostalgic but unsatisfied.
Which genre revival do you think Hollywood should nail next, or is there a flop I missed? Drop your thoughts in the comments!