What do I mean by original ideas in film? My interpretation of an “original” movie/film is in its simplest form something that has not been done before. An unoriginal film would classify under sequels or any other addition to a franchise, remakes, book to tv adaptations or video game to movie adaptations.Â
Disclaimer: When I say that these films are “unoriginal” I do not mean the plots or scripts. Every single film I discuss in this article had amazingly creative writers who developed a fabulous film. I am not saying these movies are uncreative or bad, I am simply saying none of them are at their roots, original. I am also well aware of the fact that in today’s day and age it is nearly impossible to have such a thing as an “original idea”. I just simply want to take this opportunity to shine a light on this problem in the film industry and also give a pat on the back to those films that are original ideas, or at least as close as we can get to one. I will also only be discussing films that I have seen.Â
To begin, let’s start with movies that are not original ideas. (For the sake of time I will be focusing on movies that have been released in the last 6 years.) First Wicked 2024, once again this was a beautifully whimsical film, but it was both a musical and a book prior to it being a movie. Additionally Five Nights at Freddy’s 2023, this movie was a great mix of horror while still maintaining fun elements. Though obviously it is based on a popular videogame. Next Scream 7 2026, I am a huge fan of the Scream movies but I have never thought we needed seven. I personally did not love this film but that does not change the fact that like all the other movies I have listed, it had a creative script but has been done before, six previous times. Next Red, White & Royal Blue 2023, I loved this adaptation, they did an amazing job of bringing the original novel to life. Though that is exactly what it is, a book brought to life. Lastly, The Little Mermaid 2023, it was amazing to see this version of Ariel on the big screens, every actor was so amazing in their roles and in my book this movie was perfectly done! It just also happens to be a remake of the original Disney film. Now as I previously stated, being a remake, a sequel, or an adaptation does not take away anything from these films. They were still amazing, creative, beautifully well thought out films. They had just been done before.Â
Next let’s discuss original ideas. First, Sinners 2025. Now this was a powerful original idea. The combination of horror, with the amazing music, and the heavy message of oppression truly could not have been more original. Next Challengers 2024, this movie did the impossible; it made me interested in sports. It maintained an amazing mix of the intensity of both tennis and the love triangle keeping the audience on the edge of their seats at every moment of this movie. An amazingly creative original idea that left viewers wanting to see more like it. Additionally, Bottoms 2023, this movie was hilarious and powerful. While the main idea was not female empowerment, it definitely relayed that message while still maintaining the witty comedic side of the story. Next, Soul 2020 was a powerful animated film that celebrated African American music culture while also producing a broader message about the human experience that anyone can enjoy. Last X 2022, this was a really cool start to an amazing slasher franchise. It had the creepy, slasher summer vibe that was popular in older horror films like Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Jeepers Creepers, while still being something new and creative.
To close I want to reiterate that just because these films may have been seen before to some other degree or format, they are still amazingly creative. “Unoriginal” movies can be just as creative as the original ones. People still worked hard to write creative scripts, design original costumes and sets and the actors still trained to make the characters their own. And most of my personal favorite films would fall into my own category of unoriginal, I just also think that as great as these films are, the film industry could use some more original ideas.