Part 7/16:
Expanding Horizons: Beyond Horror and Into Big Franchises
As Freddy’s franchise flourished, New Line sought to diversify. In 1990, they scored a massive hit with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Originally rejected and passed on by other studios, the film’s $135 million gross made it the highest-grossing independent film of its time, demonstrating New Line’s talent for recognizing and capitalizing on niche properties.
Simultaneously, the studio pursued a crossover dream: Freddy vs. Jason (2003). Acquiring rights to Jason Voorhees from Paramount, New Line produced Jason Goes to Hell and Jason X, which performed modestly but lacked the blockbuster success of the Freddy series.