For a franchise that has faced consistently low critical scores, the After film series has demonstrated an unusual resilience — and an even more unusual ability to grow. Spanning five films from 2019 to 2023, the saga of Hardin and Tessa became one of the most polarizing yet persistently popular young-adult romance franchises of its era. And now, with the announcement of After: Next Generation, the universe is expanding once again, proving that commercial appeal can operate independently from critical approval.
The franchise began with After (2019), an adaptation of Anna Todd’s viral Wattpad phenomenon. The film didn’t impress critics, but it quickly captured the attention of the online fan community. That digital-first momentum carried directly into its sequels — After We Collided (2020), After We Fell (2021), After Ever Happy (2022), and After Everything (2023). Each installment faced poor reviews on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, often dropping progressively with every film. Yet box-office numbers, international streaming performance, and fan engagement on social media told a very different story.
Part of the franchise’s success comes from its unique origins. Before it reached Hollywood, After was already a massive online phenomenon with millions of dedicated readers. That built-in audience followed the films faithfully, fueling strong digital demand even as reviewers dismissed the series as melodramatic or overly sensational. And unlike many romance franchises that fade after one or two films, After benefited from a rapid production timeline, releasing sequels annually. This frequency kept fans invested, while the story’s emotional drama — breakups, reconciliations, and the volatile chemistry of Hardin and Tessa — maintained constant buzz across TikTok, Instagram, and fandom circles.
Commercially, the films performed consistently enough to justify further investment. Though not blockbusters by traditional Hollywood standards, they were cost-efficient, profitable, and highly successful in foreign markets. The franchise became particularly strong in Europe and Latin America, where teen romance dramas have historically found enthusiastic audiences.
This commercial stability explains why producers weren’t ready to close the book after After Everything — even though it was marketed as the final chapter of Hardin and Tessa’s turbulent love story. With the announcement of After: Next Generation, the creative team signaled a fresh ambition: to broaden the franchise beyond its original couple. According to The Direct, the new installment will follow the next generation of characters — Emery, Auden, and their cousin Addy — effectively shifting the narrative toward new relationships, new conflicts, and contemporary themes more reflective of Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences.
The decision to move forward with the franchise underscores a key truth about the After brand: its staying power lies not in critical acclaim but in emotional connection. Fans respond to its intensity, its unapologetic melodrama, and its exploration of imperfect love. In a digital era where fandom is as important as reviews, After became a franchise that thrives on conversation — whether the conversation is supportive or skeptical.
As After: Next Generation prepares for its 2025 debut, the question isn’t whether critics will approve. It’s whether the franchise can once again tap into the emotional heartbeat that carried it through five films — and whether a new generation of characters can spark the same level of devotion. If history is any indication, the answer may already be yes.
