The Numbers Are In: Hollywood Originality Is Down

One of the things I am constantly bemoaning is Hollywood's shift away from original storytelling toward an increasingly heavy reliance on intellectual property, or IP. But do the numbers agree with me? The answer is a bit tricky. In Hollywood right now, IP is one of the safest bets in the marketplace. It brings in a proven audience and there are a ton of production companies trying to create their own IP with publishing labels and deals with periodicals. A recent article in the Observer sheds light on this trend, highlighting the industry's increasing reliance on IP and the numbers behind its use. Obviously, it's undeniable that IP-driven content is a powerhouse. Audiences flock to familiar characters and worlds, guaranteeing a certain level of viewership and, crucially, revenue. In a risk-averse industry, leaning on established IP is a seemingly safe bet.Let's dive in. The Numbers Behind IP in Hollywood IP-driven films and shows dominate viewership and revenue. Parrot Analytics revealed that from 2020 to 2024, only about 12% of new releases were based on existing intellectual property, with a declining trend after a 2021 peak. Yet, this small percentage delivers outsized results.Nielsen data shows that 13 of the 30 most-watched streaming titles in the U.S. in 2024 were IP-based, including 7 of the top 10 originals like Netflix's Bridgerton and Amazon's Fallout.The Entertainment Strategy Guy reports that 71% of the 66 films grossing over $100 million domestically in the last three years were franchise titles. Notably, only three of the top 50 (Elemental, Migration, and Nope) were truly original films not adapted from somewhere else.Hollywood is run by numbers. You can't argue with the fact that IP consistently overperforms. Parrot Analytics data confirms this, showing that 40-50% of the top 100 TV shows and 70-80% of the top 100 movies each year are based on pre-existing IP. But that shouldn't steer us away from original storytelling. Originals Matter Here's the main argument: we need original storytelling because a lot of this IP is sequels and spinoffs that originated with an original spec or series being produced. Hollywood has come to rely so heavily on IP that it forgot greenlighting a bunch of original ideas is still the best way to find franchises. And you can build them in-house. The question isn't whether IP is good or bad. All paid storytelling jobs are great. I want all my friends to work on as many projects as they can handle, but I also want original thought to have value in the marketplace. And for studios to understand that balance matters. Hollywood needs to cultivate and nurture original talent and provide platforms for new voices and innovative stories.Streaming services, with their appetite for content, could be a breeding ground for originality. And they should be. Ultimately, we, the audience, hold the power. By supporting original films and shows, we can encourage studios to take risks and invest in fresh ideas. Let’s hope Hollywood remembers that while familiar is comforting, there are unforgettable original stories still being told. Let me know what you think in the comments.

Mar 26, 2025 - 22:37

The Numbers Are In: Hollywood Originality Is Down

One of the things I am constantly bemoaning is Hollywood's shift away from original storytelling toward an increasingly heavy reliance on intellectual property, or IP.

But do the numbers agree with me?

The answer is a bit tricky.

In Hollywood right now, IP is one of the safest bets in the marketplace. It brings in a proven audience and there are a ton of production companies trying to create their own IP with publishing labels and deals with periodicals.

A recent article in the Observer sheds light on this trend, highlighting the industry's increasing reliance on IP and the numbers behind its use.

Obviously, it's undeniable that IP-driven content is a powerhouse. Audiences flock to familiar characters and worlds, guaranteeing a certain level of viewership and, crucially, revenue. In a risk-averse industry, leaning on established IP is a seemingly safe bet.

Let's dive in.

The Numbers Behind IP in Hollywood

IP-driven films and shows dominate viewership and revenue. Parrot Analytics revealed that from 2020 to 2024, only about 12% of new releases were based on existing intellectual property, with a declining trend after a 2021 peak.

Yet, this small percentage delivers outsized results.

Nielsen data shows that 13 of the 30 most-watched streaming titles in the U.S. in 2024 were IP-based, including 7 of the top 10 originals like Netflix's Bridgerton and Amazon's Fallout.

The Entertainment Strategy Guy reports that 71% of the 66 films grossing over $100 million domestically in the last three years were franchise titles. Notably, only three of the top 50 (Elemental, Migration, and Nope) were truly original films not adapted from somewhere else.

Hollywood is run by numbers. You can't argue with the fact that IP consistently overperforms.

Parrot Analytics data confirms this, showing that 40-50% of the top 100 TV shows and 70-80% of the top 100 movies each year are based on pre-existing IP.

But that shouldn't steer us away from original storytelling.

Originals Matter

Here's the main argument: we need original storytelling because a lot of this IP is sequels and spinoffs that originated with an original spec or series being produced.

Hollywood has come to rely so heavily on IP that it forgot greenlighting a bunch of original ideas is still the best way to find franchises. And you can build them in-house.

The question isn't whether IP is good or bad. All paid storytelling jobs are great. I want all my friends to work on as many projects as they can handle, but I also want original thought to have value in the marketplace.

And for studios to understand that balance matters.

Hollywood needs to cultivate and nurture original talent and provide platforms for new voices and innovative stories.

Streaming services, with their appetite for content, could be a breeding ground for originality. And they should be.

Ultimately, we, the audience, hold the power. By supporting original films and shows, we can encourage studios to take risks and invest in fresh ideas.

Let’s hope Hollywood remembers that while familiar is comforting, there are unforgettable original stories still being told.

Let me know what you think in the comments.