Blockbuster motion pictures always need something special to capture the audience’s attention and leave a lasting impact. Whether this is something designed to create a viral sensation or a more subtle selling point, there’s always a memorable angle with the most successful films, if you scratch a little deeper.
From No Time To Die’s end-of-an-era storyline featuring the legendary Daniel Craig as James Bond, or the highly-anticipated cultural phenomenon Barbie, several blockbusters over the past few years have presented memorable storylines and appearances that have helped propel them into popularity.
Examining these is a fun way to dig a little deeper, helping to uncover the unique elements that make them resonate so strongly with people and experience so much success. Keep reading for an investigation into some of our favourite blockbusters to emerge over the past couple of decades. We’ll pick out the most memorable factor for each and give a brief summary of why they were so successful.
Knives Out
Starring Daniel Craig as the detective Benoit Blanc, Knives Out was a rapturously-received homage to the classic murder mystery genre that had fallen into obscurity before the film’s 2019 release. The gripping plot, sharp writing and star performances from Craig, alongside Ana de Armas, Chris Evans and more, created a memorable blockbuster that has already seen one sequel released, with another on the way.
No Time to Die
Another memorable recent blockbuster, No Time to Die was billed as the last James Bond film to feature Daniel Craig, serving up an incredibly memorable finale that had audiences worldwide gasping for air. The high-stakes action and culmination of 15 years of the same Bond actor made for an exhilarating conclusion, especially due to the several surprising plot elements that even the most knowledgeable Bond enthusiasts didn’t see coming.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Star Wars: The Force Awakens was the first modern reboot of George Lucas’ legendary saga, with the action picking up where Episode 6 left off. There were numerous memorable odes to the old films, with the Millennium Falcon and the original score moving audiences to nostalgia-induced tears on more than one occasion. The depiction of the vastness of the galaxy will also never get old, with stars and planets bringing many people’s wildest space fantasies to life.
These landscapes are incredibly memorable, a theme that’s evident in other areas too. For example, NetEnt’s Starburst slots uses an intergalactic background to great effect, emerging as one of the most popular games in the genre. Playing Starburst slots and other space-themed games can replicate the excitement of watching Star Wars, exhibiting many of the same memorable factors that made these films so popular.
Gladiator 2
Ridley Scott’s 2000 box office smash hit motion picture Gladiator was an incredibly significant cultural moment, with Russell Crowe announcing himself to the world as a stern and formidable actor. The excitement surrounding the sequel Gladiator 2 could not have been more intense, especially after popular actors such as Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal were announced in the main roles. Aside from Scott’s instantly recognizable filmmaking style, Gladiator 2 was also memorable for being an unexpected sequel made almost a quarter of a century after the original.
Barbie
Few films have been so widely anticipated as Barbie, the playful and extremely poignant movie exploring the life of the legendary doll. Greta Gerwig’s direction combined with Margot Robbie’s charismatic performance made for a memorable adaptation that explored various modern themes with great depth and humour. The vibrant visuals and sharp social commentary were two additionally memorable factors contributing to the film’s popularity, leaving a lasting impact on everything from gender rights to capitalist critiques.
Oppenheimer
Oppenheimer was released on the same day as Barbie in 2023, giving rise to the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon. Without even meaning to, this gave both films an additionally memorable quality, although focusing on this ahead of Oppenheimer’s groundbreaking account of one of history’s most impactful events would be a mistake. Christopher Nolan once again proved he is one of the most important modern film directors, effortlessly blending stunning cinematography, patient plot building and intense character development. Oppenheimer was an essential investigation into a haunting and complex chapter of history, done with such skill and grace that it will forever be remembered as an essential box office smash.
Avatar: The Way of Water
The original Avatar film was a landmark moment for 3D and high-definition graphics, and Avatar: The Way of Water continued this trend. This memorable blockbuster once again pushed the boundaries of visual storytelling.
