Hollywood: Has the summer blockbuster lost its sparkle?
Jul 5, 2024
auto_awesome
Delving into the legacy of past summer blockbusters like Jaws and Jurassic Park, discussing the current success of films such as Top Gun Maverick and the anticipation around upcoming releases like Twisters and A Quiet Place Day One, exploring the trend of underperforming sequels in cinema, analyzing the dominance of franchises in Hollywood, and examining the strategies and challenges faced by the film industry in attracting audiences and staying relevant.
Audiences now prioritize engaging storytelling over film stars for cinema success.
Streaming platforms like Netflix face challenges in maintaining viewership and quality.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Summer Blockbusters
Summer blockbusters have evolved over time, transitioning from original stand-alone hits like Jaws to a reliance on franchises and sequels for success. The Marvel and Fast and Furious franchises have been prominent in recent years, drawing large audiences to cinemas. While Hollywood has shifted towards blockbuster tentpole films, there is concern that cinema experiences may be waning in popularity due to changing audience behaviors and preferences.
The Decline of Film Stars' Influence
The influence of film stars in attracting audiences to cinemas has diminished compared to the past. Audiences are now more drawn towards content than celebrity, with a preference for engaging storytelling over star power. The rise of social media influencers and musicians as entertainment figures has amplified this shift, creating challenges for traditional movie stars in driving box office success.
The Impact of Streaming Services on Cinema
Streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon, once seen as industry saviors with substantial budgets for premium content, are facing challenges in sustaining viewership and quality. While initially successful in attracting acclaimed filmmakers, these platforms now seek a balance between credibility and mass appeal to retain audiences. The proliferation of content and platforms has reshaped audience expectations and consumption habits, impacting the traditional cinema landscape.
Future Prospects for Summer Blockbusters
The future of summer blockbusters remains an essential revenue source for Hollywood studios, despite shifting audience preferences and industry dynamics. The industry's heavy reliance on big-budget franchises and tentpole films reflects a financial strategy to attract audiences during the competitive summer season. While concerns persist about cinema attendance and viewer engagement, the enduring appeal of summer blockbusters as entertainment spectacles continues to drive film industry strategies and audience experiences.
It's a year since we flocked to cinemas to experience the Barbenheimer phenomena. But some industry insiders are worried that was an anomaly and disguised the trouble facing Hollywood. So, what can we look forward to from this summers blockbusters? Why aren't they living up to the hype of years gone by? And can the industry get back to the golden summers of Jaws, Top Gun and Jurassic Park?
The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.
TGS is part of the BBC News Podcasts family. The team that makes The Global Story also makes several other podcasts, such as Americast and Ukrainecast, which cover US news and the war in Ukraine. If you enjoy The Global Story, you may well like some of our other pods, too. To find them, simply search on your favourite podcast app.
This episode was made by Richard Moran and Eleanor Sly. The technical producer was Gareth Jones and Michael Regaard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode