Harry Potter was a smash hit about a boy discovering he’s a wizard and going to school in a magical world full of wonder and adventure. Twilight didn’t hit quite that high a note, but the story of a teenage girl who learns her classmate is a vampire and falls in love with him did quite well. The Hunger Games popularized the dystopian genre with a bow wielding teenager stepping up to survive death games, have angsty romances, and fight the power.
As far as I can tell, nothing has quite hit that same kind of high since and it may be awhile until the next truly big wave. But if it were up to you, what would the next big thing be about?
I forget what its called exactly, but there’s a few version floating around about how there are only 7 story structures or what have you, and at their most stripped down it could be argued as true. There’s little novelty to things at their most basic. For example, if you reduce them down to their frame both Star Wars and Harry Potter are telling basically the same story. The heroes journey. In fact, take it further than that, both of those are mostly the same as The Belgariad.
All are a boy/young man, orphaned, with a secret origin. Guided by their magical father/grandfather figure, they learn about their past and forge new friendships. There is a prophecy about them specifically, and they are destined to battle a “great evil” with their wits and magic. They’re surrounded by: the big burly one, the comedic relief, the sarcastic hardcase with the heart of gold, etc.
Just like with people, its not the bones that bring the novelty, but the dressing on them.