Part 1/8:
Box Office Success and the State of Modern Franchises: The Rise of John Wick 4
In recent weeks, Hollywood has been quick to attribute the tepid performance of many blockbuster franchises to factors like "franchise fatigue" or lingering impacts of COVID-19. Media outlets frequently cite reasons such as audiences losing interest after sequels like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, and other superhero hits failing to meet expectations. But a closer look at current box office figures suggests a more complex picture—one that favors originality, quality storytelling, and authentic audience appeal.