History GrowingTheBeard / Film

** 2018 is considered a turning point for the franchise. After 2017's ''Film/JusticeLeague'' received mixed reviews and bombed at the box office, Warner Bros. reorganized the DC Films division with New Line Cinema producer Walter Hamada as president starting in January 2018. The first film released under Hamada's leadership, the Creator/JamesWan-directed ''Film/{{Aquaman|2018}}'', received positive reviews (albeit not to the extent of ''Wonder Woman'') and managed to gross over $1.133 billion worldwide, making it both the highest grossing movie in the franchise ''and'' the highest grossing film to be based on a DC Comics property. The following ''Film/Shazam2019'', directed by Creator/DavidFSandberg, became another winner with a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a satisfying $360 million on a comparatively small budget [[note]] Production budget was roughly $90 million and marketing $40 million. [[/note]] Yet most importantly, as Hamada had previously worked with Wan and Sandberg on ''Film/TheConjuringUniverse'', the DC movies didn't experience any significant ExecutiveMeddling, allowing the franchise to recover its public image and recruit new talent like Creator/MattReeves, Creator/JamesGunn and Cathy Yan. Hamada also won a lot of goodwill for allowing (with the blessing of the new WB studio head Toby Emmerich) ''Wonder Woman 1984'' to be pushed back a full seven months. The creative team had wanted a June 2020 release date all along but the studio had wanted to [[ChristmasRushed rush]] it for a November 2019 date. Timing issues had plagued the productions of both ''Suicide Squad'' [[note]] David Ayer had six weeks to write the script [[/note]] and ''Justice League''. [[note]] The execs at WB knew the project needed more time but wanted to stick to the original date to get bonuses as there wasn't another big movie that quarter. The movie released in November but the cast couldn't get together to film reshoots until July due to the cast being all around the world and Gal Gadot's pregnancy [[/note]]

* ''Film/TheDarkKnight'' served as this for Film/TheDarkKnightSaga, which in turn is considered one of several instances of this trope for the Batman franchise as a whole (not all of which, similarly, [[WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries were limited to the comics]]). ''Film/BatmanBegins'' was well-received - and rightly so - but it was nothing in comparison to just how well Creator/HeathLedger pulled off ComicBook/TheJoker and how ''The Dark Knight'' delved into even more complex themes.

** 2018 is considered a turning point for the franchise. After 2017's ''Film/JusticeLeague'' received mixed reviews and bombed at the box office, Warner Bros. reorganized the DC Films division with New Line Cinema producer Walter Hamada as president starting in January 2018. The first film released under Hamada's leadership, the Creator/JamesWan-directed ''Film/{{Aquaman|2018}}'', received positive reviews (albeit not to the extent of ''Wonder Woman'') and managed to gross over $1.133 billion worldwide, making it both the highest grossing movie in the franchise ''and'' the highest grossing film to be based on a DC Comics property. The following ''Film/Shazam2019'', directed by Creator/DavidFSandberg, became another winner with a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a satisfying $360 million on a comparatively small budget [[note]] Production budget was roughly $90 million and marketing $40 million. [[/note]] Yet most importantly, as Hamada had previously worked with Wan and Sandberg on ''Film/TheConjuringUniverse'', the DC movies didn't experience any significant ExecutiveMeddling, allowing the franchise to recover its public image and recruit new talent like Creator/MattReeves, Creator/JamesGunn and Cathy Yan. Hamada also won a lot of goodwill for allowing (with the blessing of the new WB studio head Toby Emmerich) for allowing ''Wonder Woman 1984'' to be pushed back a full seven months. The creative team had wanted a June 2020 release date all along but the studio had wanted to [[ChristmasRushed rush]] it for a November 2019 date. Timing issues had plagued the productions of both ''Suicide Squad'' [[note]] David Ayer had six weeks to write the script [[/note]] and ''Justice League''. [[note]] The execs at WB knew the project needed more time but wanted to stick to the original date to get bonuses as there wasn't another big movie that quarter. The movie released in November but the cast couldn't get together to film reshoots until July due to the cast being all around the world and Gal Gadot's pregnancy [[/note]]

* Franchise/StarWars: While [[Film/ANewHope the original 1977 film]] was a smash box-office success that changed the course of movie history, many consider the follow-up [[Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack sequel]] to be when the Franchise grew a beard, stepping out from the shadow of [[Main/JidaiGeki Samurai films]], Cowboy adventures, and pulpy Sci-Fi serials. The much expanded budget allowed the creative team to pursue new ideas and technologies while the story more character driven and less dependent on [[Main/TheHerosJourney Mythic archetypes]].

** 2018 is considered a turning point for the franchise. After 2017's ''Film/JusticeLeague'' received mixed reviews and bombed at the box office, Warner Bros. reorganized the DC Films division with New Line Cinema producer Walter Hamada as president starting in January 2018. The first film released under Hamada's leadership, the Creator/JamesWan-directed ''Film/{{Aquaman|2018}}'', received positive reviews (albeit not to the extent of ''Wonder Woman'') and managed to gross over $1.133 billion worldwide, making it both the highest grossing movie in the franchise ''and'' the highest grossing film to be based on a DC Comics property. The following ''Film/Shazam2019'', directed by Creator/DavidFSandberg, became another winner with a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a satisfying $360 million on a comparatively small budget. Yet most importantly, as Hamada had previously worked with Wan and Sandberg on ''Film/TheConjuringUniverse'', the DC movies didn't experience any significant ExecutiveMeddling, allowing the franchise to recover its public image and recruit new talent like Creator/MattReeves, Creator/JamesGunn and Cathy Yan.

** The Hamada era of the DCEU was consider a turning point for the franchise. After 2017's ''Film/JusticeLeague'' received mixed reviews and bombed at the box office, Warner Bros. reorganized the DC Films division with New Line Cinema producer Walter Hamada as president starting in January 2018. The first film released under Hamada's leadership, the Creator/JamesWan-directed ''Film/{{Aquaman|2018}}'', received positive reviews (albeit not to the extent of ''Wonder Woman'') and managed to gross over $1.133 billion worldwide, making it both the highest grossing movie in the franchise ''and'' the highest grossing film to be based on a DC Comics property. The following ''Film/Shazam2019'', directed by Creator/DavidFSandberg, became another winner with a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Yet most importantly, as Hamada had previously worked with Wan and Sandberg on ''Film/TheConjuringUniverse'', the DC movies didn't experience any significant ExecutiveMeddling, allowing the franchise to recover its public image and recruit new talent like Creator/MattReeves, Creator/JamesGunn and Cathy Yan.

* Franchise/StarWars: While [[Film/ANewHope the original 1977 film]] was a smash box-office success that changed the course of movie history, many consider the follow-up [[Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack sequel]] to be when the Franchise grew a beard, stepping out from the shadow of Samurai films, Cowboy adventures, and pulpy Sci-Fi serials. The much expanded budget allowed the creative team to pursue new ideas and technologies while the story more character driven and less dependent on Mythic archetypes.

* Franchise/StarWars: While [[Film/ANewHope the original 1977 film]] was a smash box-office success that changed the course of movie history, many consider the follow-up [[Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack sequel]] to be when the Franchise grew a beard, stepping out from the shadow of Samurai films, Cowboy adventures, and pulpy Sci-Fi serials. The much expanded budget allowed the creative team to pursue different ideas and technologies while the narrative stepped away from Mythic archetypes and more character driven.

** The Hamada era of the DCEU was consider a turning point for the franchise. After 2017's ''Film/JusticeLeague'' received mixed reviews and bombed at the box office, Warner Bros. reorganized the DC Films division with New Line Cinema producer Walter Hamada as president starting in January 2018. The first film released under Hamada's leadership, the Creator/JamesWan-directed ''Film/{{Aquaman|2018}}'', received positive reviews (albeit not to the extent of ''Wonder Woman'') and managed to gross over $1.133 billion worldwide, making it both the highest grossing movie in the franchise ''and'' the highest grossing film to be based on a DC Comics property. The following ''Film/Shazam2019'', directed by Creator/DavidFSandberg, became another winner with a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Yet most importantly, as Hamada had previously worked with Wan and Sandberg on ''Film/TheConjuringUniverse'', the DC movies didn't experience any significant ExecutiveMeddling, allowing the franchise to recover its public image and recruit new talent like Creator/MattReeves, Creator/JamesGunn and Cathy Yan.

** ''Film/{{Wonder Woman|2017}}'' was major improvement for the franchise. The first 3 DCEU movies ''Film/ManOfSteel'', ''Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice'', and ''Film/{{Suicide Squad|2016}}'' received mixed-to-negative reviews on Website/RottenTomatoes with many criticizing the movies for having underdeveloped characters and incoherent narrative. However, ''Wonder Woman'' became the first DC Extended Universe movie to earn an overall positive response from critics, currently sitting at a '''''93%''''' approval rating, with many praising the movie for having a likable protagonist, while also grossing over $822 million worldwide. Furthermore, the DCEU actually beat the MCU to a landmark moment by releasing the first acclaimed female superhero movie, proving that the DCEU can compete with the MCU after being mocked for constantly playing catchup to its rivals.

** ''Film/{{Wonder Woman|2017}}'' was major turning point for the franchise. The first 3 DCEU movies ''Film/ManOfSteel'', ''Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice'', and ''Film/{{Suicide Squad|2016}}'' received mixed-to-negative reviews on Website/RottenTomatoes with many criticizing the movies for having underdeveloped characters and incoherent narrative. However, ''Wonder Woman'' became the first DC Extended Universe movie to earn an overall positive response from critics, currently sitting at a '''''93%''''' approval rating, with many praising the movie for having a likable protagonist, while also grossing over $800 million worldwide. Furthermore, the DCEU actually beat the MCU to a landmark moment by releasing the first acclaimed female superhero movie, proving that the DCEU can compete with the MCU after being mocked for constantly playing catchup to its rivals.
** The Hamada era of the DCEU was consider an improvement for the franchise. After 2017
s ''Film/JusticeLeague'' received mixed reviews and bombed at the box office, Warner Bros. reorganized the DC Films division with New Line Cinema producer Walter Hamada as president starting in January 2018. As Hamada had previously worked with DC filmmakers on ''Film/TheConjuringUniverse'', DC Films became freed from the ExecutiveMeddling that have turned past movies. The first film released by Hamada, the Creator/JamesWan-directed ''Film/{{Aquaman|2018}}'' received positive reviews (albeit not to the extent of ''Wonder Woman'') and managed to gross over $1.133 billion worldwide, making it both the highest grossing movie in the franchise ''and'' the highest grossing film to be based on a DC Comics property. The following ''Film/Shazam2019'' became another winner with a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In the interim, he also secured many talented filmmakers to direct upcoming DCEU movies like Creator/MattReeves, Creator/JamesGunn and Cathy Yan.

** ''Film/{{Wonder Woman|2017}}'' was major turning point for the franchise. The first 3 DCEU movies ''Film/ManOfSteel'', ''Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice'', and ''Film/{{Suicide Squad|2016}}'' received mixed-to-negative reviews on Website/RottenTomatoes with many criticizing the movies for having underdeveloped characters and incoherent narrative. However, ''Wonder Woman'' became the first DC Extended Universe movie to earn an overall positive response from critics, currently sitting at a '''''93%''''' approval rating, while also over-performing at the box office with a $821.7 million worldwide gross. Furthermore, the DCEU actually beat the MCU to a landmark moment by releasing the first acclaimed female superhero movie, proving that the DCEU can compete with the MCU after being mocked for constantly playing catchup to its rivals.
** Although the next film ''Film/JusticeLeague'' received mixed reviews and bombed at the box office, the following year's ''Film/{{Aquaman|2018}}'' received positive reviews (albeit not to the extent of ''Wonder Woman'') and managed to gross over $1.133 billion worldwide, making it both the highest grossing movie in the franchise ''and'' the highest grossing film to be based on a DC Comics property. Both ''Wonder Woman'' and ''Aquaman'' were praised by audiences for embracing their source material as opposed to poorly imitating the superficial aspects of ''Film/TheDarkKnightTrilogy'' as the first 3 movies have done.

* Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse: The first 3 DCEU movies of ''Film/ManOfSteel'', ''Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice'', and ''Film/{{Suicide Squad|2016}}'' received mixed-to-negative reviews with rotten critical scores on Website/RottenTomatoes. ''Film/{{Wonder Woman|2017}}'', the 4th installment in the franchise, became the first DC Extended Universe movie to earn an overall positive response from critics, currently sitting at a '''''93%''''' approval rating, while also over-performing at the box office. Although the next film ''Film/JusticeLeague'' received mixed reviews and bombed at the box office, the following year's ''Film/{{Aquaman|2018}}'' received positive reviews (albeit not to the extent of ''Wonder Woman'') and managed to gross over $1.133 billion worldwide, making it both the highest grossing movie in the franchise ''and'' the highest grossing film to be based on a DC Comics property. Both ''Wonder Woman'' and ''Aquaman'' were praised by audiences for embracing their source material as opposed to poorly imitating the superficial aspects of ''Film/TheDarkKnightTrilogy'' as the first 3 movies have done.

* Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse: The first 3 DCEU movies of ''Film/ManOfSteel'', ''Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice'', and ''Film/{{Suicide Squad|2016}}'' received mixed-to-negative reviews with rotten critical scores on Website/RottenTomatoes. ''Film/{{Wonder Woman|2017}}'', the 4th installment in the franchise, became the first DC Extended Universe movie to earn an overall positive response from critics, currently sitting at a '''''93%''''' approval rating, while also over-performing at the box office. Although the next film ''Film/JusticeLeague'' received mixed reviews, the following year's ''Film/{{Aquaman|2018}}'' received positive reviews (albeit not to the extent of ''Wonder Woman'') and managed to gross over $1.133 billion worldwide, making it both the highest grossing DCEU movie ''and'' the highest grossing (unadjusted) DC Comics-based film. Both ''Wonder Woman'' and ''Aquaman'' were praised by audiences for embracing their source material as opposed to poorly imitating the superficial aspects of ''Film/TheDarkKnightTrilogy'' as the first 3 movies have done.

* Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse: The first 3 DCEU movies of ''Film/ManOfSteel'', ''Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice'', and ''Film/{{Suicide Squad|2016}}'' received mixed-to-negative reviews with rotten critical scores on Website/RottenTomatoes. ''Film/{{Wonder Woman|2017}}'', the 4th installment in the franchise, became the first DC Extended Universe movie to earn an overall positive response from critics, currently sitting at a '''''93%''''' approval rating, while also over-performing at the box office. Although the next film ''Film/JusticeLeague'' received mixed reviews, the following year's ''Film/{{Aquaman|2018}}'' received positive reviews (albeit not to the extent of ''Wonder Woman''). Both ''Wonder Woman'' and ''Aquaman'' were praised by audiences for embracing their source material as opposed to poorly imitating the superficial aspects of ''Film/TheDarkKnightTrilogy'' as the first 3 movies have done.

*** Based on both Box office and Reviews, Phase 3 is widely seen as this for the MCU as a whole. An important reason frequently cited was the restructuring at Disney that remove the infamously intrusive Creative Committee from the process.

* The original series of ''Franchise/{{Gamera}}'' movies made very little effort to be anything more than a cheap knockoff of the far superior ''Franchise/{{Godzilla}}'' franchise (which had more than its fair share of [[SoBadItsGood bad movies]] to begin with), and today are most notable for providing ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000'' with some good comedic material. But thanks to such talents as director Creator/ShusukeKaneko, special effects director Creator/ShinjiHiguchi, writer Kazunori Ito, and composer Kow Otani (of later ''VideoGame/ShadowOfTheColossus'' fame),[[note]]all of whom, with the exception of Ito, worked on ''Film/GodzillaMothraKingGhidorahGiantMonstersAllOutAttack'', nigh-unanimously considered the best Godzilla movie of the "Millenium" era (1999-2004) by far[[/note]] the rebooted "Heisei-era" Gamera trilogy (released between 1995 and 1999) quickly became known as representative of the height of the {{kaiju}} genre alongside even [[Film/{{Gojira}} the original 1954]] ''[[Film/{{Gojira}} Godzilla]]'' [[Film/{{Gojira}} movie]]. This is all particularly true of [[Film/Gamera3AwakeningOfIrys the third film]].

* Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse: The first 3 DCEU movies of ''Film/ManOfSteel'', ''Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice'', and ''Film/{{Suicide Squad|2016}}'' received mixed-to-negative reviews with rotten critical scores on Website/RottenTomatoes. ''Film/{{Wonder Woman|2017}}'', the 4th installment in the franchise, became the first DC Extended Universe movie to earn an overall positive response from critics, currently sitting at a '''''93%''''' approval rating, while also over-performing at the box office. Although the next film ''Film/JusticeLeague'' received mixed reviews, the following year's ''Film/{{Aquaman|2018}} received positive reviews (albeit not to the extent of ''Wonder Woman''). Both ''Wonder Woman'' and ''Aquaman'' were praised by audiences for embracing their source material as opposed to poorly imitating the superficial aspects of ''Film/TheDarkKnightTrilogy'' as the first 3 movies have done.

* Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse: The first 3 DCEU movies of ''Film/ManOfSteel'', ''Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice'', and ''Film/{{Suicide Squad|2016}}'' received mixed-to-negative reviews with rotten critical scores on Website/RottenTomatoes. ''Film/WonderWoman'', the 4th installment in the franchise, became the first DC Extended Universe movie to earn an overall positive response from critics, currently sitting at a '''''93%''''' approval rating, while also overperforming at the box office. Although the next film ''Film/JusticeLeague'' received mixed reviews, the following year's ''Film/{{Aquaman}}'' received positive reviews (albeit not to the extent of ''Wonder Woman'').

*** Ditto with Thor in ''Film/ThorRagnarok''. While Thor wasn't exactly hated beforehand, he wasn't the most popular superhero and was seen as a dull InvincibleHero when compared to the other Avengers or his own brother Loki. One of director Taika Waititi's stated goals was to [[AuthorsSavingThrow change this]] by giving Thor a much more engaging character arc this time. Most would agree that he succeeded, given that it's the best received of all the ''Thor'' films. It also helps that Creator/ChrisHemsworth gave Thor a more comedic personality that made him more fallible and relatable. The beard continues to grow in ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'', reminding viewers why Thor is known as the ''god'' of thunder in the fight against Thanos.

*** While all the early movies were financial successes, critical reception was hit or miss. Things turned around big time with ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier'', which some have even compared to ''Film/TheDarkKnight'' as one of the best superhero movies of all time and a great case of GenreBusting the superhero movie. Every MCU movie since has gotten glowing praise, with the hiccup of ''Age of Ultron''.

*** Among Captain America fans, ''Winter Soldier'' was the film that forever cemented Captain America as a fan favorite. While Cap wasn't disliked, some fans feel that he lacked a compelling flaw or relatable personal struggle and his fighting style wasn't entertaining. ''Winter Soldier'' tackled these issue by bringing in morally complexity, gritty realism, and brutal melee combat that would define the Captain America films without undermining Cap's idealism and heroic outlook.

** While all the early movies were financial successes, critical reception was hit or miss. Things turned around big time with ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier'', which some have even compared to ''Film/TheDarkKnight'' as one of the best superhero movies of all time and a great case of GenreBusting the superhero movie. Every MCU movie since has gotten glowing praise, with the hiccup of ''Age of Ultron''.
** Among Captain America fans, ''Winter Soldier'' was the film that forever cemented Captain America as a fan favorite. While Cap wasn't disliked, some fans feel that he lacked a compelling flaw or relatable personal struggle and his fighting style wasn't entertaining. ''Winter Soldier'' tackled these issue by bringing in morally complexity, gritty realism, and brutal melee combat that would define the Captain America films without undermining Cap's idealism and heroic outlook.
** Ditto with Thor in ''Film/ThorRagnarok''. While Thor wasn't exactly hated beforehand, he wasn't the most popular superhero and was seen as a dull InvincibleHero when compared to the other Avengers or his own brother Loki. One of director Taika Waititi's stated goals was to [[AuthorsSavingThrow change this]] by giving Thor a much more engaging character arc this time. Most would agree that he succeeded, given that it's the best received of all the ''Thor'' films. It also helps that Creator/ChrisHemsworth gave Thor a more comedic personality that made him more fallible and relatable. The beard continues to grow in ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'', reminding viewers why Thor is known as the ''god'' of thunder in the fight against Thanos.

** Among Captain America fans, ''Winter Soldier'' was the film that forever cemented Captain America as one of the best superheroes of the modern blockbuster era. While Cap wasn't disliked, some fans feel that he lacked a compelling flaw or relatable personal struggle and his fighting style wasn't entertaining. ''Winter Soldier'' tackled these issue by bringing in morally complexity, gritty realism, and visceral fighting that would define the Captain America films without undermining Cap's idealism and heroic outlook.
** Ditto with Thor in ''Film/ThorRagnarok''. While Thor wasn't exactly hated beforehand, he wasn't the most popular superhero, and he was usually considered bland and overpowered when compared to the other Avengers or his own brother Loki. One of director Taika Waititi's stated goals was to [[AuthorsSavingThrow change this]] by giving Thor a much more engaging character arc this time. Most would agree that he succeeded, given that it's the best received of all the ''Thor'' films. The beard continues to grow in ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'', reminding viewers why Thor is known as the ''god'' of thunder in the fight against Thanos.

* In ''Film/ThePixarStory'', John Lasseter said that ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory2'' was the film that defined what Pixar is perhaps best known for: the ability to drive a story with interesting [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments hilarious comedy]], [[TearJerker poignant pathos]] and interesting characters.

* In ''Film/ThePixarStory'', John Lasseter said that ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory2'' was the film that defined what Pixar is perhaps best known for: the ability to drive a story with interesting [[FunnyMoments hilarious comedy]], [[TearJerker poignant pathos]] and interesting characters.

* The first two ''Film/HarryPotter'' films were enjoyable enough, but suffered from [[CompressedAdaptation squeezing as much of the original books as possible]], with little in the way of cinematic imagination. ''[[Film/HarryPotterAndThePrisonerOfAzkaban Prisoner of Azkaban]]'' however, was a ''film'' first and foremost, and the rest of the series followed suit.

* ''Film/TheDarkKnight'' served as this for Film/TheDarkKnightSaga, which in turn is considered one of several instances of this trope for the Batman franchise as a whole (not all of which, similarly, [[WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries were limited to the comics]]). ''Film/BatmanBegins'' was well-received - and rightly so - but it was nothing in comparison to just how well HeathLedger pulled off ComicBook/TheJoker and how ''The Dark Knight'' delved into even more complex themes.