The 2020s (So Far)

The pandemic reshaped exhibition while films like Everything Everywhere All at Once, which grossed $143 million worldwide on a $25 million budget, proved theatrical cinema could still matter. Oppenheimer's $976 million box office shattered the modern biopic record, 40% higher than the typical historical drama. The Zone of Interest won Best International Feature with 90% of critics praising its innovative sound design. However, streaming now accounts for 80% of viewing time, sparking fierce debate: a renaissance of original filmmaking or the start of streaming-era mediocrity? This decade trails #9's 1920s in foundational influence but leads in breaking box office norms for arthouse fare.