The term ‘blockbuster’ became popular in the 1970s, referring to movies that had hit the screens and created a massive impact on audiences worldwide. These were films that made an insane amount of money at the box office and still talked about to this day. Jaws (1975), Star Wars (1977), E.T. (1982), Titanic (1997), and The Dark Knight (2008) are all examples of blockbuster movies that have captured the hearts of millions of people.
Everything about them seemed bigger than life, with the hefty budgets, dazzling special effects, and star-studded casts. You couldn’t miss the buzz surrounding them, and everyone seemed to be excited to catch it on the silver screen. However, with the dazzling success that came with these films, it’s not a surprise that their downfall was expected. So why did the era of blockbuster movies come to an end?
Firstly, the studios began to rely too heavily on sequels, remakes, and reboots to guarantee box office success. It seemed like every other movie released was a continuation of a franchise or an adaptation of a classic. These films lacked originality and creativity, with predictable plotlines and overused characters. Audiences grew tired of seeing the same thing over and over again, and the magic of blockbuster movies started to wear out.
Secondly, the increasing ticket prices made it less affordable for people to catch a movie at the cinema. A family of four needed to spend a considerable amount of money to buy tickets to see their favorite film, and it wasn’t always worth it. With the rise in streaming platforms and accessibility to movies online, it made more sense for people to stay at home and watch rather than heading out to the cinema.
Thirdly, the global pandemic situation of 2020 had a devastating impact on the film industry. With the closure of cinemas widespread, several movies were held back, and several were released straight to streaming platforms, completely bypassing the cinema. This meant that many anticipated blockbusters of the year, such as Wonder Woman 1984 and No Time to Die, were postponed indefinitely, leading to a delay in the entire filmmaking process.
Lastly, the culture of binge-watching television shows replaced the tradition of going out to the cinema. Thanks to the advent of Netflix and other streaming platforms, audiences could watch shows, mini-series, and documentaries in the comfort of their homes for a fraction of the cost of going to the cinema. The choice of shows was vast, and it took over the need for the cinema, especially among the younger generation.
In conclusion, the fall of the blockbuster era is due to several reasons, with the lack of originality, high ticket prices, the pandemic, and the influx of streaming services being the primary cause. While they may still be made, it’s unlikely that they’ll enjoy the same level of success they once did. Nonetheless, the legacy of blockbusters will forever be etched on the minds of those who have watched them, and the iconic movies that managed to break record after record will always be remembered with fondness.
