Audiences Prefer Original Movies Over Franchises, Study Suggests

While big-budget, IP-based blockbusters have dominated cinemas for decades, it turns out that audiences actually prefer original, independent movies. A new study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) surveyed 1,500 people between the ages of 10-24 about their viewing habits and opinions on modern movies. While box office figures (which directly correlate to audience interest) suggest that major franchises are the dominating force in theaters, the study suggests that the majority of audiences actually prefer original storytelling on the big screen, with 65% (840 participants) saying they prefer watching original movies over “franchises, adaptations, and remakes.”