Take a look at the numbers. There are way more today than ever before, full stop.
You want to pull out the standouts, the few that did occur, is just a goalpost move trying to make it seem like it was as common as today, rather than the exception - which the numbers prove.
Not like today, by a long shot.
I’d say today’s trend began in the 90’s and has exploded since.
Edit: Some sources
The proportion of top-grossing films that are sequels roughly doubled in the 2000s / 2010s compared with the 1990s
Sequels and Remakes in Hollywood, 1991 to 2010
Letter: Sequels and franchises, still the film business holy grail
Between 1932 and 1948 Johnny Weissmuller made 12 Tarzan movies.
Since 1962 there have been 24 James Bond movies.
Since 1954 there have been 37 Godzilla sequels.
Since 1979 there have been 45 Amittyville Horror Sequels.
How many Police Academy Movies were made in the 80s?
How many Friday the 13th?
Star Treks?
Sequels have always been a thing.
So?
Take a look at the numbers. There are way more today than ever before, full stop.
You want to pull out the standouts, the few that did occur, is just a goalpost move trying to make it seem like it was as common as today, rather than the exception - which the numbers prove.
You are moving the goal posts. You started with remember when mindless sequels weren’t a thing to there are more now …
Sequels have always been a thing and always will be.