- Audiences in 2026 want films to look realistic and emphasize practical filmmaking, with directors working hard to create grounded, tactile worlds.
- Successful movies like 'The Odyssey,' 'Project Hail Mary,' 'Backrooms,' and 'Obsession' heavily used practical effects and promoted their old-school filmmaking efforts.
- Disappointing franchise films were criticized for looking overly artificial, with CGI-heavy visuals like those in 'Supergirl' and 'The Mandalorian and Grogu.'
- Filmmakers like Christopher Nolan and the 'Project Hail Mary' team highlighted their use of real locations and puppetry, avoiding green screens and CG set extensions.
- The rise of AI-generated content has made audiences value authenticity, compelling filmmakers to share stories of their hard work to justify theater visits.
- Nonfranchise movies are gaining popularity, with five of the top 10 domestic box office hits in 2026 being original titles, alongside audience support for handcrafted storytelling.