Following reported interest in companies such as Warner Bros. Discovery and Roku, Netflix has now been linked to Lionsgate. According to Semafor, Netflix remains interested in exploring potential acquisitions, including Lionsgate Studios, as it looks for opportunities to strengthen its content portfolio and long-term position in the entertainment industry.
Lionsgate is home to some of Hollywood’s most valuable film and television properties, including John Wick and The Hunger Games, making it an attractive target for media and streaming companies. However, Netflix quickly pushed back on the speculation. “Netflix is not interested in and is not pursuing Lionsgate,” a spokesperson for the streaming platform said (Deadline).
Even so, Netflix has consistently been connected to acquisition speculation as the media landscape continues to evolve. While the company remains cautious, it appears determined to play a major role in shaping the future of streaming entertainment. If a Netflix–Lionsgate deal ever does become a reality, several dormant franchises in Lionsgate’s library would deserve a fresh start. Here are five that urgently need a revival.
1. Twilight
Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight saga became one of the defining fantasy-romance franchises of the 2000s, bringing the love story of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen to audiences around the world. The first film was a massive success and helped launch the careers of Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, turning them into global stars. Its popularity led to four more movies, with the series ultimately concluding in 2012 with The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2.
More than a decade has passed since the franchise came to an end, yet the idea of revisiting Twilight remains appealing. A reboot could introduce the story to a new generation while updating it for modern audiences. It would also offer a chance to expand on elements that the original films did not, including character development, relationships, and scenes that were present in the books but never made it to the screen.
Rather than another film series, a television adaptation may be the better option. A longer live-action format would allow more room to explore the characters, their backstories, and the wider vampire and werewolf mythology, while staying closer to Meyer’s original novels. Netflix is developing an animated adaptation of Midnight Sun, Stephenie Meyer’s 2020 companion novel to the Twilight series. The story retells the events of the first Twilight book entirely from the perspective of Edward Cullen. However, a reboot is still worth pursuing to introduce the world of Twilight to a new generation in a fresh way.
The Twilight Saga is streaming on HBO Max.
2. Step Up
The Step Up franchise became one of pop culture’s most surprising success stories. What started as a modest, low-budget dance drama in 2006 went on to become a global hit. Its success led to four sequels, each featuring new dancers, bigger performances, and fresh stories. The series later expanded to television with Step Up: High Water, which proved that audience interest in the franchise remained strong years after the original film’s release.
A reboot could be the perfect opportunity to reinvent Step Up for a new generation. While the franchise has always been praised for its energetic dance sequences, its acting, dialogue, and storylines have often been viewed as its weaker elements. A fresh take could place greater focus on character development and stronger storytelling while still delivering the impressive dance performances fans expect.
The Step Up film series is available to rent and buy on Prime Video.
3. Wishmaster
The Wishmaster franchise is one of the most underrated horror series and deserves a modern reboot. Unlike traditional slasher films, the movies revolve around an evil Djinn who grants wishes but twists them into horrific outcomes. This simple yet creative premise allowed the franchise to deliver clever storytelling and dark humor that stood out from other horror films of its era.
The first two movies, especially with Andrew Divoff’s memorable performance as the Djinn, showcased the full potential of the concept. Even the later installments, despite their lower budgets, introduced new ideas rather than simply repeating the same formula.
A reboot could update the franchise for modern audiences by exploring contemporary desires such as fame, wealth, and social media influence. The fear of getting exactly what you wish for remains as relevant today as ever. With its unique villain and endless storytelling possibilities, Wishmaster has all the ingredients needed for a successful return and could easily become a standout horror franchise once again.
The Wishmaster film series is available to rent and buy on Prime Video.
4. Divergent
With the release of Divergent in 2014, Hollywood introduced audiences to a dystopian version of Chicago where society is divided into factions based on different human virtues. The story follows Beatrice Prior, who discovers that she is Divergent and does not fit neatly into any one group. As she struggles to understand her place in the world, she uncovers a dangerous conspiracy hiding beneath the surface of what appears to be a perfect society.
Based on Veronica Roth’s bestselling book series, the franchise continued with The Divergent Series: Insurgent and was originally planned to conclude with a two-part finale, The Divergent Series: Allegiant and The Divergent Series: Ascendant. However, after Allegiant underperformed at the box office, plans for Ascendant were ultimately canceled, leaving the story unfinished.
That canceled finale remains one of the biggest reasons the franchise deserves a reboot. The film series also struggled with uneven world-building and relied heavily on familiar young-adult dystopian tropes, with the quality declining with each installment. A reboot, particularly as a longer-form television series, could provide a more faithful adaptation of Roth’s books. It would allow the world, characters, and themes to be explored in greater depth while correcting many of the issues that held back the original adaptations.
The Divergent film series is available to stream on Peacock.
5. Warlock
The Warlock franchise may not be as famous as some horror series, but it has earned a loyal cult following over the years. Directed by Steve Miner, the original Warlock follows a 17th-century warlock who is transported to modern-day Los Angeles. There, he seeks the missing pages of the Devil’s Book, a powerful artifact capable of destroying humanity, while witch hunter Giles Redferne races to stop him.
The film remains beloved largely because of Julian Sands‘ captivating performance as the Warlock. His mix of charm, menace, and dark humor helped create one of horror’s most unique villains. Combined with Richard E. Grant’s energetic performance as Redferne, the movie offered a memorable blend of horror, fantasy, folklore, and adventure.
While Warlock: The Armageddon and Warlock III: The End of Innocence received mixed reactions, they proved there was still room to expand the franchise’s mythology. A reboot could modernize the story while preserving the magical horror elements that made the original stand out.
The Warlock film series is available to rent and buy on Prime Video.
If Netflix ever acquires Lionsgate, these are the franchises that deserve a fresh revival and a chance to reach a new generation of viewers. From beloved fantasy sagas and dance dramas to horror classics and unfinished dystopian stories, Lionsgate’s library is filled with properties that still have plenty of potential.
Which Lionsgate franchise do you think deserves a reboot or revival? Share your picks with us in the comments below.