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Streaming and Horror Reign Supreme as Superhero Fatigue Sets In, Says Ars Technica

A year of surprising shifts in the film landscape has led Ars Technica to highlight streaming platforms and the horror genre as major winners, while traditional tentpole films and superhero sagas largely disappointed. Their year-end list features a wide range of films, bucking the trend of blockbuster dominance in recent years.

“It’s been a strange year for movies,” said Jennifer Ouellette, a film critic for Ars Technica. “Most of the big, splashy tentpole projects proved disappointing, while several more modest films either produced or acquired by streaming platforms wound up making our year-end list.”

The rise of streaming services offering small-to-medium budget films, coupled with potential superhero fatigue, is prompting speculation of a “sea change” in film production and distribution. The publication also noted the controversial Netflix bid to acquire Warner Bros.

The unranked list, save for a three-way tie for “best of the year”, includes action films like “From the World of John Wick: Ballerina,” quirky comedies like “The Baltimorons,” and auteur-driven projects such as Wes Anderson’s “The Phoenician Scheme.” Horror also made a strong showing, with films like the dog-centric “Good Boy” and the witchy mystery “Weapons” earning praise.

Ars Technica’s top three films of the year are:

  • One Battle After Another, for it’s subtle commentary on resistance to a fascist government.
  • Sinners, a vampire horror film set in the Mississippi Delta.
  • Wake Up Dead Man, a Benoit Blanc mystery, exploring the nature of faith and reason.

The publication encourages readers to contribute their own favorites in the comments section, highlighting the diverse and evolving nature of cinematic tastes.

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