Notes

‘It’s coming from inside the house.’ Last summer, the Marvel Cinematic Universe became the first ever franchise to earn more than US$30 billion in global box office revenue. It's emblematic of how franchises have conquered the entertainment industry. Back in the 1980s, franchise films accounted for roughly one-fourth of American box office sales; now, it's nearly three-fourths—while there are fewer original cinematic stories than ever. Why?

Today, Andrew deWaard explores how big entertainment conglomerates, working with even bigger financial firms, have transformed Hollywood.

—Gustav Jönsson