Is Hollywood Finally Ready To Take Risks on Original Stories?

If you’ve spent any time on Film Twitter—or in line at the movies—lately, you’ve probably heard the same grumbling: Hollywood is drowning us in sequels, prequels, live-action remakes, and “extended universes” at the expense of… well, actual original stories. For years, the safe bet has been pre-sold intellectual property. Studios leaned on brand recognition, and audiences responded with fatigue.

But something interesting is happening right now. According to a recent piece from No Film School asking “Are We Experiencing the Spec Boom We’ve Been Waiting For?”, the summer has seen a noticeable uptick in spec script sales—those original, uncommissioned screenplays that writers gamble on in hopes of sparking a bidding war. For the first time in a while, it looks like fresh concepts are gaining traction.

So what gives? Could Hollywood actually be pivoting?

It’s too early to call this a *true* boom, but the timing feels significant. The industry has been rattled by strikes, AI debates, and ongoing creative fatigue in the blockbuster space. Meanwhile, audiences have shown up for left-field hits and smaller original films when given the chance. The market may finally realize what everyone has been shouting: originality sells too, in its own way.

This doesn’t mean the Marvels, Batmans, or endless remakes are going anywhere. But if we're starting to see a healthier balance—studios hedging bets with bankable IP *and* chasing bold new voices—this could be an encouraging shift.

For cinephiles and wannabe screenwriters alike, the rise in spec sales sends a hopeful message: don’t shelve your weird, ambitious story just yet. Hollywood might finally be listening.