Netflix Originals: So Many Sequels
While Netflix began as a simple streaming service, that is not all they’re famous for now.
Besides giving viewers access to their favorite movies and t.v. shows whenever they want, Netflix is now creating fan favorites as well. Awed by the quality visuals and storytelling, audiences everywhere were drawn to Netflix Originals.
In 2013, Netflix’s House of Cards snatched their first Emmy, making Netflix the first streaming platform to win one. Soon Netflix originals were being nominated for Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, and Golden Globes every year. Even without awards, anyone could see the evidence of Netflix’s success in the way their media impact pop culture.
Once the Netflix Original series, Stranger Things was released audiences were obsessed. Stranger Things merchandise became popular and Stranger Things shirts became commonplace, Baskin Robbins had a Stranger Things theme for a while, and it seemed as if everyone had a shared experience of watching the show. Now the world is waiting for the release of season four.
In fact, audiences are waiting for more than just Stranger Things. Many Netflix shows and movies have been renewed and new seasons, spin-offs, or sequels have been scheduled.
However, while it makes sense to add more and more seasons to a series, that isn’t always the case with movies.
Series typically have seasons that have endings that allow more directions to be taken in the story. There is always more for the characters to do and more loose ends to be wrapped up. That isn’t usually found in movies. A typical movie is wrapped up and topped with a bow after two hours, and audiences can sleep peacefully knowing the characters found some sort of resolution.
With Netflix Originals, this is no longer the case.
In fact, I don’t know if my favorite characters will ever find peace since the more popular a movie is, the better chance it has of getting a second, third, or fourth installment. Lara Jean in To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and Elle Evans from The Kissing Booth sure won’t be catching a break anytime soon since both series have a third film in the making.
Here are Just a Few of the Upcoming Netflix Sequels:
- Always and Forever (The third film in the series To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before)
- The Princess Switch: Switched Again (Sequel to The Princess Switch)
- The Babysitter: Killer Queen (Sequel to The Babysitter)
- The Kissing Booth 3
- The Christmas Chronicles 2
- Bird Box 2
- Bright 2
- Extraction 2
- Death Note 2
- Murder Mystery 2
While I love seeing my favorite characters on the screen again, I worry that this trend may take away what I’ve liked most about Netflix Originals: that they are Original (at least in some ways).
Netflix isn’t the only corporation to turn a single movie into an endless series. However, when they first began making content I gravitated to it because they were all new stories. They didn’t have anything to make a sequel from because they were starting from scratch! Now, I’m worried that Netflix subscribers will be shown more and more remakes, sequels, and adaptations made by an algorithm to fit predictable and uninspired tastes instead of new content.
Even though there is less risk in playing it safe and recreating the same story, as an audience, I feel tired of being fed the same meal over and over again. However, is there any incentive for producers to take risks and produce original content?
Netflix has impressed me with many of its original content. I hope Netflix will find a balance between keeping the stories audiences love alive and introducing new characters, ideas, and plots to viewers.
