By the mid-20th century, technological advancements such as color film, widescreen formats, and special effects expanded storytelling possibilities. Epic films like Gone with the Wind and Ben-Hur showcased Hollywood’s ambition to captivate viewers on a grand scale. Meanwhile, international cinema began influencing American filmmaking, introducing new perspectives and artistic approaches. Directors like Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles pushed narrative and visual boundaries, demonstrating that movies could be both commercial and intellectually stimulating.
Advertisement
The 1970s and 1980s heralded the blockbuster era. Directors like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas transformed filmmaking into a spectacle-driven industry with mass appeal. Franchises such as Star Wars and Indiana Jones not only generated unprecedented box office revenue but also established merchandising as a core revenue stream. Hollywood had become a global cultural force, exporting narratives, ideals, and dreams worldwide.
With the advent of digital technology in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Hollywood faced both challenges and opportunities. CGI and computer-generated imagery enabled filmmakers to create worlds previously impossible to imagine, as seen in films like Jurassic Park and The Lord of the Rings. At the same time, the rise of home video, DVD sales, and eventually online streaming disrupted traditional theatrical distribution. Platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ reshaped how audiences consumed content, demanding a shift from studio-controlled release schedules to on-demand accessibility.
