16. Originality Not Everything Was A Sequel
This point isnt unique to the 80s, but it is relevant in comparison to the more modern era. There is still plenty of originality in modern filmmaking, but its becoming more and more seldom with the audiences having to seek it out. But as this list is about growing up, its the more mainstream, accessible stuff with which this is concerned. A look at the worldwide box office of the 80s shows a great mix of what cinema could offer. The popularity of sequels was something studios were starting to notice and the idea of the movies as a franchise had begun, but they certainly werent ubiquitous. Of the top ten, four were sequels, the two Indys, Temple of Doom and The Last Crusade and the two Star Wars, Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. The 90s was actually a great decade for originality, with the only sequel in the top ten being Toy Story 2. But then things took a turn. Kick-started by the reinvigoration of the superhero movie with the release of X-Men in 2000 and Spider-Man in 2002, the remainder of the decade became a wash with sequels, franchises and rebootsthe 80s didnt even know what a reboot was! The only original film between 2000-2009 to make the top 10 was James Camerons Avatar. Put a positive spin on it and call it the blossoming of the superhero genre if you like, really its just lazy, low risk tactics from the studios. Yes, some of the films are well made and exciting, but thats all they are. The number 1 film of the 80s, E.T, had more imagination, character, charm and emotion in his bright bony finger than the top 10 of the 2000s combined.