Yet there are signs of countertrends. Warner Bros. succeeded with original mid-budget hits like Sinners and Weapons , demonstrating that audiences will embrace non-franchise content when it is well-executed. Proximity Media's continued success with original storytelling—rooted in underrepresented experiences—shows that there is still appetite for fresh narratives. The challenge for studios is finding the right balance between reliable franchise revenue and the creative risk-taking necessary to develop future franchises.