10 Movie Franchises That Were Rebooted Multiple Times
Some franchises just don't know when to quit.
If there is one thing Hollywood loves more than the Oscars, it's reboots (often ones that nobody asked for). No matter how much Tinseltown redefines itself as the years go by, there are some things - or, more accurately, franchises - that it just can't live without.
Due to this, some of the most famous film sagas have stuck around far longer than expected, with many classic decade-old pictures still spawning sequels and reboots today. While it's undoubtedly a testament to these specific IPs that they have managed to stand the test of time, there are some in particular that Hollywood just won't let die and, as a result, have been rebooted more times than audiences care to count.
Whether it is down to a new studio looking to make its mark on a classic film series or an old one desperately trying to revive interest in one of their long-forgotten franchises, these multi-time rebooted properties still have a huge part to play in today's movie market and, quite frankly, that doesn't appear to be changing any time in the near future.
10. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
It hasn't even been 30 years since the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles made their big screen debut, and yet, they're about to undergo their third reboot.
First arriving on screens back in 1990, their self-titled feature film was a major success, introducing the comic book characters to a whole new audience and launching a film franchise in the process. Unfortunately, each of the two following sequels would go on to gross less than the one before it and a planned fourth film never materialised.
That said, the turtles got a jolt of life when the CGI-animated TMNT (with an all-star voice cast) was released in 2007. Loosely tied to the original trilogy, it went on to gross $95 million. However, while there were plans for a sequel, they were scrapped in favour of a live-action reboot.
Those plans came to fruition in 2014 when the rebooted Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles hit theatres and, despite the negative reaction from critics, was a massive box-office success, pulling in $495 million to become the franchise's highest-grossing film. Unfortunately its 2016 sequel couldn't replicate that success and, despite a somewhat more positive reception, only grossed $245 million (against a large $135 million budget).
After that, all plans for a third film were dropped and, two years later, another reboot was announced.
Cowabunga indeed, dude.