Step into any cinema or streaming platform today, and one thing becomes clear: stories rarely stay finished.
Characters we thought we knew are back, worlds we believed were closed are expanding, and familiar narratives are being retold—sometimes decades later, sometimes from a new perspective, and sometimes by following a side character who was once in the background.
Prequels, sequels and spin-offs no longer feel like exceptions; they have become the heartbeat of modern entertainment, drawing audiences into universes they already love while offering fresh angles on stories they thought they had seen before.
This pattern is evident across the global industry. Franchises such as "Star Wars", "The Lord of the Rings", "Jurassic Park" and the Marvel Cinematic Universe have evolved into expansive narrative ecosystems, where individual films or series no longer exist in isolation. Instead, stories unfold as interconnected pieces designed to sustain audience interest over years—often decades. The Wizarding World, first introduced to global audiences through the "Harry Potter" films, follows a similar trajectory, extending its mythology through prequel narratives such as the Fantastic Beasts series.
The appeal of these continuations lies largely in familiarity. Audiences return not only for spectacle, but for emotional connection. Sequels offer the comfort of reunion, allowing viewers to follow characters beyond their original conclusions. Prequels provide historical depth, reshaping how earlier events are understood, while spin-offs expand perspective by focusing on secondary figures or parallel storylines—all while maintaining a recognisable tone and setting.
Television and streaming platforms have further amplified this approach. The "Game of Thrones" universe, for example, continues to expand with "House of the Dragon", a prequel exploring the Targaryen dynasty centuries before the original series, and "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms", which adapts the Dunk and Egg stories to expand the lore of Westeros.
"Better Call Saul" demonstrates how a spin-off can be both a standalone drama and a companion to its predecessor, enriching character arcs while deepening the original universe. Similarly, "The Mandalorian" introduces new protagonists while remaining firmly anchored in the "Star Wars" mythology.
From an industry standpoint, extended storytelling offers clear advantages. Established intellectual property carries built-in recognition, reducing uncertainty in an increasingly crowded marketplace. Familiar titles generate immediate interest, streamline marketing efforts and encourage long-term viewer engagement. For streaming platforms in particular, franchises provide continuity, keeping audiences invested across multiple releases rather than a single viewing experience.
This trend has also reshaped how stories are constructed. Rather than aiming for definitive endings, many narratives now leave room for expansion. Characters are introduced with future development in mind, worlds are built to accommodate multiple timelines, and conclusions are often provisional rather than final. Storytelling, in this sense, has become an ongoing process rather than a closed arc.
Despite concerns about overextension, the continued popularity of prequels, sequels and spin-offs suggests that audiences remain eager to return to familiar terrain, especially when those returns offer fresh perspectives. In an entertainment landscape shaped by continuity and connection, these extensions are no longer exceptions. They are the framework through which modern stories are told, revisited and reimagined.
Amina Mumtarin Shreya is a student of the Bangladesh University of Professionals, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism.
