In 1888, “Roundhay Garden Scene” was released. A simple, three second film which remains the oldest surviving motion picture. In December of 1895, the first movie to hit theaters was released. “Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory”, from the hands of Auguste and Louis Lumière was released to the public. In 1908, short film “A Visit to the Seaside” was released from British filmmaker George Albert Smith. This was one of the first successful films filmed in color. Also from that same year, “Fantasmagorie”, the first animated short film was drawn by Emile Cohl. Skip forward a few years to 1937, with the release of Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” the first full length animated film to be released.

Throughout the 2020’s, cinema has been controlled by unoriginal ideas, sequels, remakes, superhero films, or films based on other media. Looking at the BoxOfficeReport’s top 100 highest grossing releases of the 2020’s solidifies this. Within the top 50, there are two films that are not any of the aforementioned. Those films are both from 2023: “Sound of Freedom” and “Elemental”, one of which is released by Walt Disney Studios. Looking at the same list, in the top 10 highest grossing films of the 2020’s, eight are sequels, and the other two are based off of already existing media. (“Barbie” and “The Super Mario Bros. Movie”)

Just two decades ago, the state of cinema was not entirely different than it is now, still with superhero movies and big budget blockbusters being atop the charts, but those ideas were original ideas. In the 2000’s, 21 out of the 50 highest grossing movies were original ideas, ideas creatively drawn up by the hardworking individuals in the film industry, ideas that could have flopped.

Going back one further decade to the 1990’s, 42 out of the 50 highest grossing movies were original ideas, and those eight that were not were all sequels, not a single remake in sight.

Atop the list of the 1990’s sits “Titanic”, the biggest feat in all of cinema, depending on who you ask.

So where did things go wrong? When did things get to the point they are at now? To put it simply, it was inevitable this was going to happen. As time goes on and big-name companies have the name recognition, they stop caring as much. Take Disney for example. The most recognizable name throughout all of film, and the super company behind about 20 of the 50 highest grossing movies of the decade (so far).

There isn’t a singular reason behind this, but I am led to believe that the reason is viewers laziness. They see a name they recognize, a company that was behind films of their childhood, and they are interested in seeing what the company can do now. They want to see the characters they grew up with, envisioned by a different creative mind, and that’s a totally reasonable thing to think.

However, with this being the case, they are supporting the companies and people who, in reality, do not need more money, and are neglecting the new creative minds. New directors aren’t given the time in the spotlight they deserve, new directors behind some of the greatest movies of the decade, and in some cases, of a lifetime. To name a few- Emma Seligman’s “Bottoms” (2023), Bertrand Bonello’s “The Beast” (2023), Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s “Drive My Car” (2021), Thomas Vinterberg’s “Another Round” (2020), Joachim Trier’s “The Worst Person in the World” (2021), and Chad Hartigan’s “Little Fish” (2020).

I am not trying to say that Disney movies should completely stop playing in theaters, but it is necessary, to both moviegoers and filmmakers, that people open their eyes to new ideas. People need to be able and willing to sit down and watch creative films, lifechanging films, from people who need their time in the spotlight.