The 2010s were quite the decade for film.They produced unforgettable moments, like theLa La Land/Moonlightdebacleat the 89th Academy Awards, kicked offThe Expendablesfranchise, which is still going strong, and made it impossible not to hear Phyllis fromThe Office’svoice whenever sadness strikes. But, with all the good, comes the questionable. Certain movies have started trends that have seen a rise in the 2010s, and their effects can be felt to this day.
Some groundbreaking and inspiring films came out during this chaotic decade, but as soon as an idea proved popular and lucrative, the inevitable need to repeat its success would creep in. Studios were scrambling to recreate themagic ofThe Avengers,to varying degrees of success. Streamers started looking for inspiration in fan fiction, and even emojis somehow warranted their very own motion picture. The effects of many of these choices can be felt to this day.
Alice in Wonderland
Cast
Alice in Wonderland is a 2010 fantasy adventure film directed by Tim Burton. It stars Mia Wasikowska as Alice, who returns to the magical world of Wonderland to confront the tyrannical Red Queen, played by Helena Bonham Carter. The film features Johnny Depp as the eccentric Mad Hatter and Anne Hathaway as the benevolent White Queen. This reimagining of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale combines live-action and CGI elements.
In 2010,Tim Burton’s version ofAlice in Wonderlandwas released.It was the first big foray into a live-action reimagining for Disney, and it captivated viewers around the world. Huge stars, like Anne Hathaway, Johnny Depp, and Helena Bonham Carter were a big draw, and seeing well-known animated versions of characters come to life really caught viewers' imagination. The film was a huge hit, grossing over a billion dollars worldwide and earning two Oscars. Its success not only spawned a sequel but kicked off a whole trend of remaking beloved cartoons with flesh-and-blood actors.
10 Behind The Scenes Facts About Disney’s Alice in Wonderland
Disney’s Alice In Wonderland remains a beloved classic. Behind the scenes, one character has his song cut, and another annoyed the sound team.
It started with unique takes on well-known stories, Alice was a sort of sequel to the 1951 animated classic, andMaleficenttold the story ofSleeping Beautyfrom the “villain’s” perspective.Then cameCinderellaandBeauty and the Beast,which followed the original source material much more closely.Therefore, they were much more divisive among audiences, yet still very lucrative. And, it isn’t just Disney that’s remaking these films, withHow to Train Your Dragonon its way, along with countless more to follow.
Fifty Shades of Grey
Based on the book by E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey is the first film in the trilogy that follows naive literature student Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson), whose life changes upon meeting the complicated and tormented billionaire Christian Grey (Jamie Dorman). Drawn to each other, the two start a romantic relationship where Steele uncovers Grey’s secrets - and explores her own personal desires.
The steamy trilogy based on the series of novels by E.L. JamesFifty Shades of Greyfamously started asTwilightfan fiction.The concept of fan fiction was by no means new, but the 2010s saw quite a large number of films come out that were based on online posts written by enthusiastic devotees. The film’s success proved there was a very receptive market for more soapy and raunchy romance stories, and was a catalyst for even more to be created.
Teen movies likeThe Kissing Boothtrilogyand theAfterseries, both came to be on Wattpad and have now inspired hugely popular franchises that have made stars of its young cast.The streaming numbers for both these series were extremely impressive, and they’ve inspired recent films likeThe Idea of YouandRed, White and Royal Blue,which both performed very well on streaming. And, it’s all because of Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele’s sizzling on-screen antics.
The Emoji Movie
When their world is threatened to be deleted, Gene (TJ Miller) ventures off with Hi-5 (James Corden) and Jailbreak (Anna Faris) to save Textopolis and become an emoji with a single expression. Despite being critically panned, The Emoji Movie had a stacked supporting cast, including Maya Rudolph, Jennifer Coolidge, Patrick Stewart, Christina Aguilera, and Sofía Vergara, among others.
Over the years, many films have been made that were inspired by board games, video games, or even theme park rides.Jumanji, Mortal Kombat, andPirates of the Caribbeanhave been around for a while, but the 2010s seemed to take this trend to a new level. As more people became reliant on their smartphones, they somehow started to creep into the cinematic mainstream.The Emoji Movieepitomizes this worrying meme trend that desperately tries to be modern and fresh, but instead, is gimmicky and devoid of substance.
The public enjoys using little pictures while texting or posting online, but that doesn’t justify besmirching Patrick Stewart’s legacy by having him voice the poop emoji.
Apps, social media platforms, and mobile games have all become subjects of feature films in the 2010s, with movies likeAngry BirdsandFriend Requestthat took what’s normally contained in someone’s pocket or bag, and created stories that, arguably, never needed to be told.Yes, the public enjoys using little pictures while texting or posting online, but that doesn’t justify besmirching Patrick Stewart’s legacy by having him voice the poop emoji.With theMinecraftfilm set for release in 2025, this trend sees no signs of slowing down.
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
Star Wars: The Force Awakens takes place 30 years after the fall of the Galactic Empire. It follows Han Solo and new allies, including Finn and Rey, as they confront the rising threat of Kylo Ren and his army of Stormtroopers while seeking the elusive Luke Skywalker.
When the beloved trilogy was rebooted withStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menacein 1999,there was criticism about the new characters, and some fans thought these new movies didn’t have quite the same feel as the originals did.Since it was a prequel, it was difficult to honor the older characters or actors in any real way, and it mostly focused on expanding an already existing world. That brings with it a host of potential issues for avid watchers. The new trilogy, admittedly, made a lot of money and drew in a new generation to the franchise.
However, when the time came for another set of films to continue the story, the decision was made to really lean into the nostalgia of the original movies.New characters were introduced, of course, but the focus on characters like Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Luke Skywalker was very much at the forefront. While this choice appeased some of the fan base, it divided others, as some viewed it as unnecessarily sentimental. Every new release in this franchise seems to spark excitement, trepidation, and endless debates.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 follows Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they embark on a perilous quest to locate and destroy the remaining Horcruxes. Set against the backdrop of a world threatened by Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters, the trio faces numerous challenges without the guidance of their late mentor, Dumbledore.
When the final book of theHarry Potter serieswas split intoDeathly Hallows: Part 1and2, respectively, this kicked off a new way of ending a franchise. The source material was admittedly hefty, but it’s safe to assume that the main reason was to maximize earning potential. By releasing the first installment in November 2010 and the second over the summer of 2011, the film series extended its lifecycle by an extra year and ensured viewers came back to the cinemas one more time.
A highly lucrative move, this inspired other franchises to do the same.
Twilighthad two separate parts ofBreaking Dawn,despite struggling for plotlines in both.The Hunger Gamesreleased twoMockingjayfilms, diluting the story to accommodate two releases.Allegiant,from theDivergentseries, was a slight casualty of this phenomenon when the first part failed to perform well, and the second was scrapped completely. This feels like another trend that doesn’t seem to be slowing down, withWickedbeing released in two installments as well.
Minions
Minions is a 2015 animated film set before the events of the Despicable Me series. The story follows Stuart, Kevin, and Bob as they are enlisted by the ambitious super-villain Scarlet Overkill and her inventive husband Herb in a scheme to achieve world domination.
Sometimes scene-stealers come in all sizes and colors, in this case, small and yellow.TheDespicable Mefilms have been a huge success, with many sequels comprising the franchise. Normally, one would attribute that to the charismatic main character, in this case, an evil genius, or the star power of the likes of Steve Carell and Jason Segel. ForDespicable Me,however, it was all down to the Minions. They got their very own movie in 2015, and have never looked back.
These little banana-loving creatures captured the hearts of viewers all over the globe, becoming an absolute phenomenon.Many children don’t even know a world without them, and yet it was 2010 that was to be the birth of a completely new species.With their faces adorning all kinds of merchandise, and movies of their very own, these guys are really here to stay.
A Christmas Prince
A Christmas Prince centers on Amber, a reporter who sneaks her way into a royal family’s home under the guise of a tutor. While originally intending to just get a story on the royal family, she ends up falling in love with the prince. Rose McIver stars as Amber alongside Ben Lamb as Prince Richard.
Holiday films have been part of many peoples' festive traditions for decades.Genuine classics likeIt’s a Wonderful LifeandHome Aloneare part of the same viewing schedule as the latest Hallmark Christmas release. But, what’s become a new tradition is the interconnected world of Netflix holiday movies. It all started withA Christmas Prince. This extremely formulaic, completely predictable, and not particularly well acted, festive romp was a huge streaming hit when it came out in 2017.
Set in the fictional kingdom of Aldovia, this feel-good film was the start of a holiday renaissance for Netflix. With many in-universe crossovers across multiple movies, plenty of meta references, and sequels aplenty, this new Christmas world has earned its place in everyone’s December viewing.The now, annually anticipated line-up has been drawing in audiences year after year,with new additions such asHot FrostyandMeet Me Next Christmas,and new holiday queens like Vanessa Hudgens and Lindsay Lohan.
The Conjuring
Based on the real-life case files of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, The Conjuring chronicles the haunting of the Perron family after moving into a Rhode Island farmhouse. The film went on to kickstart the Conjuring franchise, a series of supernatural horror films.
Based on a paranormal investigating duo who had investigated the Amityville case in the 1970s,this film delved deep into the phenomena of “real life hauntings”.Creating a realistic atmosphere of dread with a sense of unease felt in every scene, audiences were immediately immersed in this dark and twisted world. Relying on the talented cast that includes Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson, viewers were able to feel fear through the characters on their screen. The film did so well with critics and audiences worldwide, that studios immediately commissioned a sequel.
While the success ofThe Conjuringhappened organically, there have been many intentional attempts to resurrect existing horror franchises or create new films with obvious hints at potential spin-offs.
Since then, there have been nine films in this universe, includingAnabelleandThe Nun, proving that even a carefully curated horror story isn’t safe from being turned into an IP.While the success ofThe Conjuringhappened organically, there have been many intentional attempts to resurrect existing horror franchises or create new films with obvious hints at potential spin-offs.
Fast Five
The fifth installment in the Fast & Furious franchise, Fast Five continues the Fast Saga in a high-octane thrill ride. When Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and Brian O’Conner’s (Paul Walker) gang become international fugitives, they are hunted by Luke Hobbs, an agent of the DSS. They also fall foul of a Brazillian drug lord, deciding to perform a heigh-stakes heist in order to steal $100 million from him.
When the first movie of the franchise came out in 2001, it was a fresh idea that focused on the exciting world of drag racing.The cars were souped up and the action was riveting, yet it remained grounded in a sort of relatable reality that audiences could come to grips with. With each sequel, this realism seemed to be left further away in the rearview mirror. By the timeFast Fivehit the screens in 2011, the feeling was that every subsequent movie needed to blow the previous one out of the water in terms of high-octane adrenaline.
Paul Walker’s untimely passingalso seemed to shift the focus from the idea of this family-oriented group and expanded it to include larger-than-life action stars like Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham.The shift was a successful one, but the furious world of fast cars began to include even more impossible stunts,high-grade weaponry, and plot points straight out of a superhero film. When Michelle Rodriguez once mocked the MCU and DCEU, little did she know, her franchise would adopt very similar tropes when expanding its once-believable world.
The Avengers
The sixth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers is an action superhero film that sees the heroes assembled across the franchise face off with a deadly galactic threat. With the arrival of Thor’s brother, Loki, heroes such as Captain America, The Hulk, Iron Man, and Black Widow are brought together to stop him from unleashing an alien race upon earth.
The early phases of the MCU tied together so neatly, with heroes being gradually introduced in their own standalone movies. This was the first time comic book films were so intricately connected, with short post-credit scenes and Easter eggs laying the groundwork for the cinematic event that wasThe Avengersin 2012. The superheroes gelled so well together, there was chemistry and banter aplenty. Audiences enjoyed digging deeper into their relationships and awaited each next installment with bated breath. As it raked in billions, other studios, naturally, wanted a piece of the action.
Even though the Batman and Superman films had always had their own thing going, there was now a thirst to create a rival universe that allowed for team-ups the way the Avengers did. Hence, the DCEU was formed. Not quite as witty, and devoid of the same charm, it offered films like TheJustice LeagueandMan of Steel. The Harry Potter franchise also expanded with theFantastic Beastsseries. It does beg the question if these films would have existed ifThe Avengershadn’t done it so well back in the 2010s.
