Why True Stories and Comics Drive Box-Office Success

Introduction to the Hero's Journey

The vast majority of stories told by people are based on a concept of the hero’s journey. Real life examples of this narrative are always going to be good material for films. These stories, often derived from true events or comics, capture the essence of the hero’s journey, making them compelling content for screen adaptations.

Analyzing 2018 Box-Office Statistics

In the analysis below, I will look at the ultimate sources of major box-office hits in 2018 and whether they are related to earlier films. I will distinguish between what I call ‘originals’, movies that aren’t based on a book or true stories, and ‘genuine originals’, which aren’t based on anything. This breakdown will provide insightful data on the types of stories driving box-office success.

US Box Office Top 20 for 2018

Among the 20 highest-grossing films in the US box office in 2018, a striking pattern emerges:

Only 6 of the 20 movies are original films, i.e., not based on books or true stories. Of those original films, only 1 is a genuine original, i.e., not a sequel or a remake.

This trend shows that the source material, while important, is often secondary to the existing movie franchises. Of the 20 films, 12 are based on books, 1 is a true story, and 1 is based on a TV series. Sequels and remakes dominate the top 20, with 13 films falling into this category.

The Role of Comics

Interestingly, if we strip out the movies based on comic books, the picture changes:

10 of the 20 movies are original films, i.e., not based on books or true stories. Again, only 1 of those is a genuine original, i.e., not a sequel or a remake.

Despite the reduction, sequels and remakes still account for 14 of the 20 films. This trend suggests that even for original concepts, the success of previous films in the same franchise significantly influences their chances of box-office success.

Lower-End Commercial Box-Office Results

Examining films positioned lower in the commercial scale provides additional insights:

Among the top 20, sequels/remakes account for 13. Among the lower-ranking films (80 through 100), sequels/remakes account for only 4.

Here, the number of genuine originals is markedly higher, reaching 9 against 1 in the unedited top 20. Moreover, there are more true stories in the lower ranks, suggesting that standalone original stories and true stories can still find an audience and achieve commercial success.

The Verdict: Original Stories Matter

The data clearly indicates that while books and comics are powerful sources for adaptation, original stories and true stories can still achieve significant box-office success. However, the examples mentioned above show that existing franchises and adaptations often have an advantage in commercial appeal.

Conclusion and Implications

While the box office may initially favor sequels and adaptations, the rise of genuine original stories and true stories at lower ranks of commercial success shows the market's potential for unique and standalone narratives. Studios and filmmakers should consider this when planning their projects, as successful originals can still capture audiences' attention and drive financial returns.