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...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Wednesday, 26 March