Top 10 Movie Franchises Making a Comeback

He may be one of the first movie monsters, but hes hardly been portrayed through a modern lens until now. The Wolf Man debuted in 1941, and instantly proved to be influential within the genre. He became a staple throughout the 40s, starring alongside other famed fictional creatures. He met his fate in 1948s Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. Since then, a 2010 remake has been the only time the character has returned in his most recognizable form to the big screen. However, that wont be the case for much longer. After having been in development for over a decade, the reboot is set to release in early 2025. It will mark his first onscreen appearance in fifteen years effectively introducing him to a new generation of horror fans.

Action and thriller films arent the only genres that can be rebooted. Comedies can also receive the same treatment such as the beloved Naked Gun series. The originals are a master class in slapstick, serving as a time capsule of the popular comedic styles of the time period. The first film From the Files of Police Squad! was an instant hit and spawned two sequels, with the last one premiering in 1994. While the franchise was supposed to continue in the 2000s, financial issues kept it from seeing the light of day. In 2022, the fourth film was finally greenlit with Liam Neeson starring as Frank Debins son and it was soon sl\lated for a 2025 debut. Given how influential the first film's physical comedy was, viewers are eager to see it translated through a contemporary lens.

It isnt often that a movies title almost perfectly represents how long it took to come to fruition. While it may not have taken exactly twenty-eight years for the threequel to 28 Days Later to be announced, it certainly felt like it. First debuting in 2002, the apocalyptic horror film became a standout within the genre. A sequel was released in 2007, and it appeared as though it would become a consistent series. However, copyright issues prevented that from happening. In early 2024, it was finally announced that 28 Years Later was officially in development, with Cillian Murphy returning to reprise his role. This third installation wont just serve as the film series revival its planned as a launching pad for a brand new trilogy.

This foursome hasnt had the best luck with a film adaptation yet, but this next iteration could finally change that. When it comes to teams of heroes, the Fantastic Four isnt as revered as the Avengers or the Justice League. Every attempt to introduce them has been met with flack from critics and viewers - despite some box office success for the 2005 film - making it difficult to turn the property into a legitimate series. However, Marvel isnt giving up on them just yet. A new project, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to come out in 2025 and will supposedly focus on a new story, rather than the teams origin. With it having been a decade since the last attempt, fans are hopeful that the new Pedro Pascal-led version will be the groups first real cinematic success.

Given that it took almost thirty years for the first sequel to come out, it should come as no surprise that the third took another fifteen. Tron is highly influential, with the 1982 film being a trailblazer in computer-generated special effects. The 2010 follow-up, Tron: Legacy was also praised for effects, even snagging an Oscar nomination, though the story and characters received mixed reviews. Despite a sequel being greenlit in 2015, it was soon sent into development hell, where it resided for years before finally being revived. With a star-studded cast and the iconic Jeff Bridges coming back to reprise his role, many are hoping that 2025s Tron: Ares will find success and that the wait time for a followup movie will be even shorter.

Given how much theyve committed to their cinematic universe, it's hard to imagine Marvel making anything else. However, the studio at one point attempted to market other kinds of characters including Blade, a vampire hunter who also happens to be a human-vampire hybrid. Starring Wesley Snipes, the first 3 films in the series found financial success, but critical support waned with each subsequent film. 2004s Blade: Trinity seemed to be the last hurrah for the character, especially after the planned prequel was canceled in 2012. However, Marvel Studios eventually decided to integrate it into Phase Six of their ongoing timeline this time with Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali playing the titular role. With a scheduled release in late 2025, the return could help the anti-hero reach the same heights as his heroic counterparts.

Even the most acclaimed pictures arent guaranteed an automatic sequel. Gladiator is a true cinematic force. Not only did it win a staggering five Academy Awards, its also still considered one of the best films of the 21st century so far. A follow-up was talked about in 2001, but a lengthy writing process and the rights being sold in 2006 halted it in its tracks. After over twenty years since first premiering, production finally began with Gladiator II finally set to release in fall of 2024. With it taking place 2 decades after the first, everything from the characters to the plot will be new and fans are eager to see just how well it will stack up after all this time.

Although it may not have felt like it, it has already been over a decade since the Man of Steel was last reimagined on the big screen with Henry Cavill. Superman has been reinterpreted several times throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. After the original series starring Christopher Reeve ended in 1987, the character was briefly reprised in the 2000s before making a full-scale return in 2013 in the DC Extended Universe. The new iteration was met with mixed results, leading support to dwindle early on. With the merger between Warner Bros. and Discovery, the character was overhauled, with the reins being handed over to James Gunn in 2022. The newest version is set to come out mid-2025, and will hopefully help redeem the hero from his past critical woes.

Just when you count The Matrix out, they pull us right back in! Despite producers claiming that the franchise had ended on multiple occasions, a fifth Matrix film is in the works at Warner Bros. with Drew Goddard attached as writer and director. Notably, this new installment will be the first film in the cinematic universe that isnt helmed by either Wachowski sibling. Its safe to say that The Matrix Resurrections wasnt the franchise-reviving hit that the studio had hoped it might be, so time will tell if this second attempt post the original trilogy will make a splash. They dont seem to be giving up on this story, so we wont underestimate just how deep this rabbit hole goes![a]

Some stories never get old and this is definitely one of them. Containing several important lessons about resilience, The Karate Kid films have been widely beloved since 1984. While the originals were widely beloved on their own, it saw a revival in popularity following the release of 2010s The Karate Kid starring Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith. Despite being a box-office smash and successfully introducing a new generation to the story, a sequel was never made until now. Set to come out in mid-2025, it will star both Ralph Macchio and Chan marking Daniel LaRussos first big screen appearance since 1989. With a perfect blend of the old and new versions, combined with the small screen success of Cobra Kai, the 6th film in the franchise could lead to the property becoming a blockbuster movie hit once again.

Are there any long untouched franchises youd like to see be rebooted? Let us know in the comments below.