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Has the rise of streaming services impacted film criticism and the movie industry as a whole?

Zina McGuckin

The rise of streaming services has certainly had an impact on the film criticism landscape and the movie industry as a whole. Let’s take a closer look at some of the ways in which these changes have taken place and how they have affected the way we view and talk about movies.

One of the most significant ways in which streaming services have impacted the film industry is in the production of movies themselves. As these platforms have become more popular and much more lucrative, we've seen a shift in the types of movies being produced. Studios are now focusing more on creating smaller, cheaper films that are likely to pull in a large number of viewers on various streaming platforms. We’ve seen less of a focus on big-budget blockbuster movies that were once so prevalent in the industry.

Similarly, streaming services have impacted the way that movies are marketed. Unlike traditional distribution methods, streaming platforms often heavily promote the types of smaller, indie movies that they have exclusive rights to. Moreover, they highlight new, original projects that are difficult to create within the strictly commercial framework of a major studio.

These new trends in the film industry have also led to significant changes in how we talk about movies - especially in regards to film criticism. When there were only a few major distributors, movie critics had a significant amount of power to shape public opinion on new releases. However, the rise of streaming services has made it much more difficult for film critics to determine which films are seen by the largest audiences.

Ultimately, streaming services have played a significant role in democratizing the film industry - giving indie filmmakers a chance to reach wider audiences and make their voices heard. Traditional studios have had to adapt to compete with these new models and this has led to a diversification of the types of movies that are being produced. In some ways, this has caused a kind of renaissance in film - with a richer variety of voices and viewpoints being represented on screen.

However, we cannot ignore the fact that this diversification has been largely stimulated by the pandemic and by the increasing consumer preference for streams over downloads. While much of the conversation around streaming services has centered around the democratizing effect it has had on the film industry, there are also some concerns about what this shift to streaming might mean for the long-term health of the industry. What will be the new models for movies and how will this impact the ways in which we all consume, critique, and experience movies?

In conclusion, the rise of streaming services has had a significant impact on the film industry as a whole. These changes have led to a diversification in the types of movies that are being produced and have also impacted the ways we talk about and critique films. Despite the challenges that this shift has brought on, it is clear that the democratization of the film industry brought on by streaming services has had a largely positive effect, making the industry more dynamic and bringing new and diverse voices to the forefront of the conversation.