New York Times

Why Do Most New Movies Look Meh?

Why Contemporary Cinema Often Appears Lackluster

By Jessica M. Goldstein, Edward Vega, Laura Salaberry, and Whitney Shefte June 4, 2026

In a recent video analysis, arts and culture correspondent Jessica M. Goldstein investigates the distinct visual shift in modern filmmaking, exploring why today’s cinematic output differs significantly from productions released two decades ago.

Watch Today’s Videos

More in Movies: * Nicolas Cage Made Himself a Legend. Then He Had to Live With It. (1:01:24) * How Cannes Is Grappling With Changes (2:32) * How Nicolas Cage Escaped His Tumultuous Childhood (1:59) * What Nicolas Cage Thinks of Becoming a Meme (1:33) * Boots Riley Takes on Fast Fashion in a Surreal Comedy (2:49) * ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ | Anatomy of a Scene (1:15)

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Source: New York Times Generated at: 2026-06-04 09:00:48 UTC

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