Was 1976 the beginning of the era of remakes and sequels?

 

Sequels are ruling the box office this year. The top ten films this year at the box office have all been sequels except for Bridesmaids. I have complained many times that I wish there were more unique and original ideas that Hollywood was wiling to develop into a feature film.

That has not been the case, and it does not look as though the tides are turning any time soon. Remakes, reboots and sequels have been going on for many years. Fans and critics have been complaining about these films for just as long. Gene Siskel made the argument that Hollywood was making too many sequels back in 1976!

Check out this clip from Siskel and Ebert thanks to Screened:

I was born in 1976 and have a few thoughts on this matter. No, I did not see these movies first hand of course an no I have not traveled back in a time machine to watch them in theaters, although that would be awesome. I have made it a point to watch a number of the movies that were released during my birth year. 

Many of the top ten box office films were remakes or spawned from books. The #2 film of the year, A Star is Born, was a remake as was the #5 film, King Kong. The #7 film, The Enforcer, was a Dirty Harry sequel and the #3 film, All the President’s Men, was based on a book. Marathon Man and Logan’s Run were based on books. I

In additiion to the remakes Siskel mentioned too much violence in film. He does have a point, because The Omen, Carrie and Taxi Driver. were all released that year. The number one film, Rocky has since spawned many sequels as has The Omen.