Summary
Lionsgate is making bold moves withThe Hunger Games: Sunrise on the ReapingandJohn Wick: Chapter 5,pushing forward two of its biggest franchises. Meanwhile, Disney continues its struggles, fumbling yet another major property with recent “live-action” remakeSnow White, starring Rachel Zegler. While Lionsgate carefully plans its next hits, Disney seems to be throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something sticks.
Somehow,The Hunger GamesandJohn Wickhave maintained a level of consistency that few franchises can match. Every installment delivers on exactly what audiences expect, never losing sight of what made the world or story resonate in the first place. Disney, on the other hand, keepscranking out uninspired remakes, bloated CGI spectacles, and sequels nobody asked for. The difference in approach between the two studios is becoming clearer with each new release, and Disney is desperately trying to make up lost ground.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping- Another Likely Win for Panem
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakesprequel (also starring Zegler) proved that audiences werehungry for more dystopian rebel action, and Lionsgate has now greenlit an adaptation of author Suzane Collin’s next installment:Sunrise on the Reaping. Set 24 years before Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen volunteered as tribute, the new film will explore the 50th Hunger Games—the second Quarter Quell—where Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson in the original series) defied the Capitol and won.
What sets Lionsgate apart is its patience. Unlike other studios that rush to capitalize on the popularity of a franchise with hastily made sequels, Lionsgate took a step back afterMockingjay Part 2in 2015. It didn’t force out unnecessary spin-offs or prequels just to keep the brand alive. Instead, it waited for Suzanne Collins to craft more material, ensuring that any new entry in the franchise would be rooted in the rich, complex storytelling that madeThe Hunger Gamesa phenomenon in the first place. WhenThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakeswas releasedin 2023, audiences had been deprived of Panem for long enough that they were eager to return. The film grossed over $337 million worldwide against a $100 million budget and received good critical reception, evidence that fans were still invested, so long as the story was compelling.
What the studio, producers, and directors seem to understand is that the real strength ofThe Hunger Gameslies in its characters and how they navigate the complex world of violence and politics. The series isn’t just about kids fighting to the death—it’s a critique of power, media manipulation, and rebellion. Had Lionsgate rushed more content out in an attempt to cash in, it would probably have diluted these themes (like we’ve seen in certain Disney franchises), reducing what was once a thought-provoking saga into a forgettable action series. By waiting for Collins to lead the way, the studio has ensured that each new installment still carries weight and significance.
WithSunrise on the Reapingup to bat, excitement is already building. Online discussions are buzzing with speculation about casting, how the second Quarter Quell will unfold, and how the film will expand on Panem’s back story. If history is any indication, the next chapter is shaping up to be yet another win for Lionsgate.
John Wick 5—Keanu Reeves Is Back Again
Even thoughJohn Wick: Chapter 4seemed to close the book on Baba Yaga’s story(actually ending with his gravestone), Lionsgate is moving forward withJohn Wick 5. For some reason, theJohn Wickmovies always kill at the box office. Fans can’t get enough of Keanu Reeves in a bulletproof suit taking down bad guys with precision headshots and a dog by his side.
TheJohn Wickfranchise has mastered the art of delivering exactly what fans want—stylish, high-energy entertainment free of heavy-handed themes or preachy messaging. It’s pure, high-octane action that also doesn’t cut corners in choreo, stunts, or VFX. Each installment feels meticulously crafted rather than a rushed cash grab. Unlike a few recent Marvel films (Thor: Love and Thunder,Eternals,Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania), which have been criticized for sloppy CGI, uninspired fight choreography, and lackluster scripts,John Wickdelivers spectacle with care.
Reeves' dedication to the roleis also a huge factor in the franchise’s success. His rigorous stunt training and commitment to realism make every gunfight, hand-to-hand battle, and chase sequence feel authentic. Many fans have pointed out how Reeves and the franchise seem to have taken cues from Tom Cruise and theMission Impossibleformula—and it seems to be working.
John Wick 4pulled in over $432 million worldwide, so audiences are obviously still invested in the world of assassins and revenge-fueled mayhem. The franchise has consistently topped itself and outperformed expectations at the box office, withJohn Wick 3raking in $327 million andChapter 2grossing $171 million. Each installment expands on the intricate underworld of the High Table, raises the stakes in terms of action, and keeps what fans love at its core. SoJohn Wick 5is likely to be another smash hit.
TheJohn Wickspinoff filmBallerina, starring Ana de Armas, is also set to release in June 2025, and according to some,its success is less guaranteed.
Snow Whiteand The Disney Dark Ages
Meanwhile, giant industry conglomerate Disney has become a factory of rushed, uninspired “content.” Many feel the umbrella brand has diluted its own legacy by buying up IP and then pumping out lazy remakes and endless sequels. The studio has continuously prioritized quantity over quality, leading to audience fatigue and diminishing box office returns. Fan-favorite franchises likeMarvel,Star Wars, andIndiana Joneshave all suffered under the relentless output of mediocrity, leading to a barrage of high-profile flops.
Disney’s live-actionSnow Whitefinally hit theaters on March 21—and promptly tripped over its own poison apple. With a sluggish $87.3 million opening against a $250 million budget, the film floundered thanks to backlash over CGI dwarfs, controversies surrounding both Zegler and her co-star Gal Gadot, and baffling script choices that seemed to forgetwhat made the original a classic. Critics panned it, and audiences just stayed home.
Pixar
Indiana Jones
Despite these missteps, it’s worth noting that Disney has had some recent wins. Pixar’sInside Out 2became the highest-grossing animated film, andDeadpool & Wolverinebroke R-rated box office records. A few of their franchises, likeStar Wars, have also slowed significantly in recent years, andthe latestThunderbolts*trailertook a more edgy, artsy, and A24-esque approach to its promotion. Perhaps Disney is finally listening to fans who crave something fresh and interesting, but time will tell if they are able to take a cue from the Lionsgate playbook and correct course.
