Top 10 2020s Movies That Brought Nostalgic Franchises Back to Life

It’s no secret that the fourth movie in the beloved franchise jumped the shark pretty hard. Or should we say “nuked the fridge?” But for many, its sequel, “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” was a return to form for the intrepid archaeologist. Harrison Ford stepped into his role with charm once more, and watching an older version of the character gave the movie some unexpected pathos, too. Granted, the final result didn’t generate the expected profit, and wasn’t universally beloved. So chances of a sixth movie may be low. However, if you ask us, this one serves as a pretty fond farewell to Dr. Jones and his iconic hat.

A lot of people wanted to like the 2016, all-female “Ghostbusters” reboot. And don’t get us wrong, it had its moments. But all in all, it’s come to be seen as a lackluster entry in the franchise. Indeed, the beloved ‘80s supernatural comedy franchise was all but dead until 2021’s “Ghostbusters: Afterlife.” It milked some major nostalgia, and earned fan points by reassembling the original crew for its climactic battle scene. Through archival footage, even deceased actor Harold Ramis makes an appearance in ghost form to lend a hand. It’s a well-made movie, and a worthy part of the canon. It’s no wonder it led to a sequel, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.”

Enough time had passed since James Cameron’s original 2009 blockbuster that it seemed its long-announced sequels might never happen. Most people who saw the movie as children in its first release were fully grown by the time the franchise came back to theaters. Sure, the world of the film took on a life of its own in Disney World’s Animal Kingdom theme park. But 2022’s “Avatar: The Way of Water” proved the property still had legs on screen. It went on to become the highest-grossing film of the year, and snagged one Oscar, having been nominated for an impressive four.

Roald Dahl’s eccentric chocolatier last appeared on screen in 2005, with Tim Burton’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” So we were more than ready to enter his universe again. However, this 2023 prequel was initially controversial, because it was announced mere months after original Willy Wonka actor Gene Wilder passed away. Under “Paddington” director Paul King though, the lively and charming musical seemed to make believers out of skeptics. This was surely helped by the fact that the overall aesthetic borrows heavily from the original 1971 film, making it feel familiar while it does something new. Plus, Timothée Chalamet turned out to be a very convincing Wonka, and the song and dance numbers are a treat.

When Nintendo’s adventuring plumber Mario, Luigi, and the gang came to movie theaters in 1993, it was a disaster. So it was hard to imagine another movie based on the video game franchise would ever see the light of day again. Thirty years later though, the shame seemingly had worn off. Resurrecting many of the franchise’s most beloved characters, the 2023 comedy was a runaway success. While critics gave it middling reviews, audiences flocked to see it. The enormous box office intake led to it being named the highest-grossing video game adaptation of all-time, and it secured the biggest opening weekend for an animated movie ever recorded. Given that kind of success, there’s sure to be sequels, spin-offs, and a Nintendo Cinematic Universe to follow.

There are few directors working in horror who aren’t influenced by the original Universal monsters. Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Mummy all have had their comebacks over the years. The original “Invisible Man” is the story of a rogue scientist who turned himself invisible with a chemical substance, and soon became murderously violent. The 1897 novel became a 1933 film, which in turn got the remake treatment in 2020. The latter version reimagines Griffin as a monster for the modern age, while Elisabeth Moss stars as the woman who must outsmart and outrun him. Though it was released just as the COVID pandemic was beginning, the movie received its well-deserved flowers from audiences and critics alike. A sequel has been announced.

This meta-horror hit joins several franchises in the confusing, but apparently lucrative gimmick of releasing a sequel that reuses the original movie’s title. No number, no subtitle, just the same name – but it’s okay, because it’s a great slasher film. 2022’s “Scream” leans on the nostalgia hardcore, even doubling down on our fond memories of the first movie by using the same house in the climax. Fusing its original cast with plenty of fresh young faces, “Scream” 2022 is the first one without original director Wes Craven at the helm. While no one can beat his skill with suspense, there’s plenty here for old and new fans to love.

How does a fashion designer become an evil mastermind? This live-action Disney origin story starring Emma Stone seeks to answer this and many other questions about the aptly named Cruella De Vil. Documenting her rivalry with Baroness Von Hellman, a snooty and vindictive designer, the movie follows Estella on her way to becoming the fierce and fabulous Cruella. It doesn’t just engage our nostalgia for the animated versions and the live-action ones from the aughts starring a delightfully unhinged Glenn Close. It also gets at our retro nostalgia, with a soundtrack chock-full of ‘60s and ‘70s needle drops. It does all this while paving its own way in the most stylish outfits, giving the title character a new backstory for the ages.

Frank Herbert’s science-fiction novels seemed almost unfit for the big screen. The 1984 movie by David Lynch is a cult favorite, but even its fans couldn’t say it’s a successful adaptation. There were also the miniseries in the ‘00s, yes, and several potential projects were floated over the years. But until this 2021 hit, “Dune” as a franchise was considered dead. As epic as the novels it comes from, the Timothée Chalamet-led flick makes the smart decision of adapting only one part of the first novel, leaving the rest for the sequel. Add that effective storytelling choice to fantastic effects, acting, and directing, and you have a recipe for success. Indeed, “Dune” was a massive hit, earning an impressive six Oscars.

Few movies feel more quintessentially ‘80s than “Top Gun, with everything from its guitar-shredding main theme to its memorable catchphrases embodying the decade. Naturally, it’s become a favorite for a wide range of people, whether they were there in 1986 or discovered it later. Due to its popularity, the action hit inspired several video games, but somehow, it took over thirty years for an actual sequel to be released. Thankfully, nobody seemed to question just how good “Top Gun: Maverick” was. Tom Cruise returns to one of his most famous roles, naval aviator Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, to stellar effect. Mixing the original’s high-flying action scenes with genuine heart and character development, “Maverick” is a legitimately great film.

What franchise do you want to see revived next? Let us know in the comments.