For quite some time now, the millennial generation has been extensively studied, yet the factors that shaped us remain unclear. One unique aspect about millennials is our relationship with media, as we came of age prior to streaming services significantly fragmenting American popular culture. If any of the following movies and TV shows had an impact on our generation’s peculiarities, they are listed below for your consideration.
The NeverEnding Story
Generally speaking, people have differing views, but generally accepted experts believe that millennials are individuals born between 1981 and 1997. Therefore, the 1984 fantasy movie “The NeverEnding Story” might be slightly too old for this demographic, as they probably didn’t witness its release; instead, they likely watched it on VHS due to an older relative. This film was a beloved family classic, but for its youngest and most vulnerable viewers, it also served as a vehicle for some harsh realities.
The timeless tale “The NeverEnding Story” made many young viewers grapple with the harsh reality that their cherished family pets would eventually pass away – an unfortunate occurrence that might happen sooner than they anticipated. This film also introduced a fantastical representation of depression through “The Nothing,” which served as a prophetic warning for some. With its rich themes, if you haven’t revisited this movie since your childhood, you may discover new depths and insights.
Gremlins
That very year, I found myself rallying with fellow millennials, taken aback by the cunning creatures known as Gremlins. If you’re unfamiliar, both Gremlins and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom were teetering between PG and R ratings. Studios cleverly secured PG ratings to boost ticket sales. Eventually, after much deliberation, the MPAA introduced a new classification – PG-13 – to give parents a heads up about the content they were introducing their children to.
If you’re dismissing this lightly, that’s understandable. To be honest, Gremlins isn’t overly terrifying and most of the criticism probably stemmed from our infamous “helicopter parents.” However, millennials seem to cherish the movie in retrospect. It’s worth considering that accepting responsibility as the industry changed around us could have been quite distressing too, if you reflect on it.
The Transformers: The Movie
In the following years, millennials found themselves growing cynical prematurely when they attended cinemas anticipating cheering on Optimus Prime and his companions in The Transformers: The Movie. However, it was disheartening for them to witness numerous characters meet their end during the initial act itself. This grim turn of events wasn’t difficult for children to comprehend, as it seemed to pave the way for a fresh cast of characters – and a novel lineup of toys to collect.
The film, despite some pushy sales strategies initially, is outstanding once you look beyond them. Notably, it enhanced the excitement of the Transformers series by introducing space travel and additional thrilling aspects, such as new elements in the franchise. However, for millennials who may still harbor distrust and skepticism, this could be one of the contributing factors.
The Lion King
If you believe you weren’t emotionally affected by The Lion King, perhaps it would be worthwhile for you to scrutinize your emotions more deeply, especially when gazing at a clear sky. This film can be quite intense for its intended audience, but that doesn’t mean it’s not good or too intense. As children, we should respond to art, and even grasp complex concepts like mortality when ready. It’s amusing to reflect on how our comprehension of such ideas may have originated from a cartoon about cats produced by a formidable corporation.
The Matrix
Back in the day, The Matrix was given an R rating, yet it’s safe to admit that a lot of us watched it regardless of whether our parents approved or not. To say that it left a deep impact on millennials might be an understatement; the influence of this movie is evident in how phrases like “red pill” and “-pilled” have become part of our everyday language.
It’s challenging to define the enduring influence of The Matrix, as it appears that people often recall its thrilling action scenes rather than its underlying themes and characters. The film carries a strong social and political message, yet it’s so captivating that everyone seems to claim it for their own interpretation. Regrettably, the sequels still face undeservedly harsh criticism to this day.
Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace
Although we didn’t experience the Ewoks causing distress among your Gen X predecessors, I believe the situation is now balanced out following our exposure to The Phantom Menace. The Star Wars prequel trilogy started in 1999, which put young millennials like us in a difficult position. If we disliked it, we were left without our own Star Wars; if we appreciated it, we faced ridicule and dismissal from older fans. Regardless of our preference, we had to revisit these opinions multiple times over the years, causing many of us to question our initial impressions.
In a somewhat positive note, alternative forms of Star Wars entertainment thrived during millennials’ era. Exceptional video games and TV series were offered, and for those eager to embrace the franchise, an abundance of books and comics served as additional sources of enjoyment. This pattern likely fostered lifelong reading habits among many, which can only be beneficial.
The Ring
The PG-13 rating from years ago, which you’ve already seen mentioned, might have had unintended consequences for millennials when the movie “The Ring” was released in 2002. This film created lifelong horror enthusiasts and left others with lingering fears of the genre. If you speak to people within the millennial age group, they’ll share numerous chilling tales about their childhood viewing of “The Ring”. It disrupted sleepovers, severed friendships, and turned VHS tapes into terrifying artifacts, just as they were on the verge of becoming obsolete.
It’s important to acknowledge that a handful of other films significantly influenced millennials’ perception of the horror genre. If we were to compile another list, titles like The Grudge and the Saw series would certainly be included. The latter series, in particular, sparked debate among young viewers about the purpose of horror movies for quite some time.
Toy Story 3
In the end, millennials didn’t develop immunity to trauma as they matured. Instead, there are two groups deeply invested in the emotional narrative of Toy Story 3 – millennials and their children. The movie dared to address the challenges associated with sequels by confronting its own premise directly, even putting our beloved characters in life-threatening situations. Without the triumphant reception of Toy Story 3, there might have been more objections to a potential Toy Story 5.
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2025-01-05 21:12