I used to feel the same way about sequels, prequels and remakes. I've written posts here about Hollywood having no new ideas... etc. But, I got to thinking that it is no different today than it ever was. Just take a look at the number of Frankenstein films, or Dracula, or Sherlock Holmes, or the Wolfman, or the Mummy, or Tarzan.
Also, as my children have grown up I see them watching films through different eyes. My wife and children will not watch a film if it is in black and white! So there is an audience out there to watch them. And look at the new JJ Abrams 'Star Trek' film - all kinds of people are going to see that who were never watched 'Star Trek' before.
And look at the theatre - plays are often given new leases of life by a new cast, a modernised set, and a different direction. Renaissances of old plays are commonplace.
So, I'm no longer outright against prequels, sequels and remarks, always providing they have a valid reason for doing so - a reasonable extension of the plot; some twist or turn on the original premise, or a filling out of a back-story that was only hinted at. Or, very much improved special effects that make it able to show something that was previously impossible.
What we don't need is a complete re-hash of exactly the same thing, which would be the equivalent of an amateur 'X-Factor' singer doing some old song yet again.
Mostly, sequels get progressively worse and worse as they go on. I think that only the 'Alien' franchise, the 'Star Trek' franchise and the 'James Bond' franchise have bucked that trend. It would be sad if I had to remove the 'Alien' franchise from that list.