The 2010s were quite the decade for film. They produced unforgettable moments, like the La La Land/Moonlight debacle at the 89th Academy Awards, kicked off The Expendables franchise, which is still going strong, and made it impossible not to hear Phyllis from The Office's voice whenever sadness strikes. But, with all the good, comes the questionable. Certain movies have started trends that have seen a rise in the 2010s, and their effects can be felt to this day.

Some groundbreaking and inspiring films came out during this chaotic decade, but as soon as an idea proved popular and lucrative, the inevitable need to repeat its success would creep in. Studios were scrambling to recreate the The Avengers, to varying degrees of success. Streamers started looking for inspiration in fan fiction, and even emojis somehow warranted their very own motion picture. The effects of many of these choices can be felt to this day.

10 Alice in Wonderland (2010)

The Reason Photorealist Live-Action Movies Exist

In 2010, Tim Burton's version of Alice in Wonderland was released. It was the first big foray into a live-action reimagining for Disney, and it captivated viewers around the world. Huge stars, like Anne Hathaway, Johnny Depp, and Helena Bonham Carter were a big draw, and seeing well-known animated versions of characters come to life really caught viewers' imagination. The film was a huge hit, grossing over a billion dollars worldwide and earning two Oscars. Its success not only spawned a sequel but kicked off a whole trend of remaking beloved cartoons with flesh-and-blood actors.

It started with unique takes on well-known stories, Alice was a sort of sequel to the 1951 animated classic, and Maleficent told the story of Sleeping Beauty from the "villain's" perspective. Then came Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, which followed the original source material much more closely. Therefore, they were much more divisive among audiences, yet still very lucrative. And, it isn't just Disney that's remaking these films, with How to Train Your Dragon on its way, along with countless more to follow.

9 Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)

Many Copycats Followed

The steamy trilogy based on the series of novels by E.L. James Fifty Shades of Grey famously started as Twilight fan fiction. The concept of fan fiction was by no means new, but the 2010s saw quite a large number of films come out that were based on online posts written by enthusiastic devotees. The film's success proved there was a very receptive market for more soapy and raunchy romance stories, and was a catalyst for even more to be created.

Teen movies like The Kissing Booth trilogy and the After series, both came to be on Wattpad and have now inspired hugely popular franchises that have made stars of its young cast. The streaming numbers for both these series were extremely impressive, and they've inspired recent films like The Idea of You and Red, White and Royal Blue, which both performed very well on streaming. And, it's all because of Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele's sizzling on-screen antics.

8 The Emoji Movie (2017)

The LinkedIn Trilogy Might Be Next

Over the years, many films have been made that were inspired by board games, video games, or even theme park rides. Jumanji, Mortal Kombat, and Pirates of the Caribbean have been around for a while, but the 2010s seemed to take this trend to a new level. As more people became reliant on their smartphones, they somehow started to creep into the cinematic mainstream. The Emoji Movie epitomizes this worrying meme trend that desperately tries to be modern and fresh, but instead, is gimmicky and devoid of substance.

The public enjoys using little pictures while texting or posting online, but that doesn't justify besmirching Patrick Stewart's legacy by having him voice the poop emoji.

Apps, social media platforms, and mobile games have all become subjects of feature films in the 2010s, with movies like Angry Birds and Friend Request that took what's normally contained in someone's pocket or bag, and created stories that, arguably, never needed to be told. Yes, the public enjoys using little pictures while texting or posting online, but that doesn't justify besmirching Patrick Stewart's legacy by having him voice the poop emoji. With the Minecraft film set for release in 2025, this trend sees no signs of slowing down.

7 Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

Trying To Bring Nostalgia To The Forefront

When the beloved trilogy was rebooted with Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace in 1999, there was criticism about the new characters, and some fans thought these new movies didn't have quite the same feel as the originals did. Since it was a prequel, it was difficult to honor the older characters or actors in any real way, and it mostly focused on expanding an already existing world. That brings with it a host of potential issues for avid watchers. The new trilogy, ittedly, made a lot of money and drew in a new generation to the franchise.

However, when the time came for another set of films to continue the story, the decision was made to really lean into the nostalgia of the original movies. New characters were introduced, of course, but the focus on characters like Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Luke Skywalker was very much at the forefront. While this choice appeased some of the fan base, it divided others, as some viewed it as unnecessarily sentimental. Every new release in this franchise seems to spark excitement, trepidation, and endless debates.

6 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2010)

Inevitably Sandwiched By A Frustrating Cliffhanger

When the final book of the Harry Potter series was split into Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and 2, respectively, this kicked off a new way of ending a franchise. The source material was ittedly hefty, but it's safe to assume that the main reason was to maximize earning potential. By releasing the first installment in November 2010 and the second over the summer of 2011, the film series extended its lifecycle by an extra year and ensured viewers came back to the cinemas one more time.

A highly lucrative move, this inspired other franchises to do the same.

Twilight had two separate parts of Breaking Dawn, despite struggling for plotlines in both. The Hunger Games released two Mockingjay films, diluting the story to accommodate two releases. Allegiant, from the Divergent series, was a slight casualty of this phenomenon when the first part failed to perform well, and the second was scrapped completely. This feels like another trend that doesn't seem to be slowing down, with Wicked being released in two installments as well.

5 The Minions (2015)

Pierre Coffin's Lasting Legacy

Sometimes scene-stealers come in all sizes and colors, in this case, small and yellow. The Despicable Me films have been a huge success, with many sequels comprising the franchise. Normally, one would attribute that to the charismatic main character, in this case, an evil genius, or the star power of the likes of Steve Carell and Jason Segel. For Despicable Me, however, it was all down to the Minions. They got their very own movie in 2015, and have never looked back.

These little banana-loving creatures captured the hearts of viewers all over the globe, becoming an absolute phenomenon. Many children don't even know a world without them, and yet it was 2010 that was to be the birth of a completely new species. With their faces adorning all kinds of merchandise, and movies of their very own, these guys are really here to stay.

4 A Christmas Prince (2017)

Aldovia And Belgravia Unite

Holiday films have been part of many peoples' festive traditions for decades. Genuine classics like It's a Wonderful Life and Home Alone are part of the same viewing schedule as the latest Hallmark Christmas release. But, what's become a new tradition is the interconnected world of Netflix holiday movies. It all started with A Christmas Prince. This extremely formulaic, completely predictable, and not particularly well acted, festive romp was a huge streaming hit when it came out in 2017.

Set in the fictional kingdom of Aldovia, this feel-good film was the start of a holiday renaissance for Netflix. With many in-universe crossovers across multiple movies, plenty of meta references, and sequels aplenty, this new Christmas world has earned its place in everyone's December viewing. The now, annually anticipated line-up has been drawing in audiences year after year, with new additions such as Hot Frosty and Meet Me Next Christmas, and new holiday queens like Vanessa Hudgens and Lindsay Lohan.

3 The Conjuring (2013)

A Dark And Twisted Idea For A Franchise

Based on a paranormal investigating duo who had investigated the Amityville case in the 1970s, this film delved deep into the phenomena of "real life hauntings". Creating a realistic atmosphere of dread with a sense of unease felt in every scene, audiences were immediately immersed in this dark and twisted world. Relying on the talented cast that includes Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson, viewers were able to feel fear through the characters on their screen. The film did so well with critics and audiences worldwide, that studios immediately commissioned a sequel.

While the success of The Conjuring happened organically, there have been many intentional attempts to resurrect existing horror franchises or create new films with obvious hints at potential spin-offs.

Since then, there have been nine films in this universe, including Anabelle and The Nun, proving that even a carefully curated horror story isn't safe from being turned into an IP. While the success of The Conjuring happened organically, there have been many intentional attempts to resurrect existing horror franchises or create new films with obvious hints at potential spin-offs.

2 Fast Five (2011)

Each Installment Tries To Outdo Its Predecessor

When the first movie of the franchise came out in 2001, it was a fresh idea that focused on the exciting world of drag racing. The cars were souped up and the action was riveting, yet it remained grounded in a sort of relatable reality that audiences could come to grips with. With each sequel, this realism seemed to be left further away in the rearview mirror. By the time Fast Five hit the screens in 2011, the feeling was that every subsequent movie needed to blow the previous one out of the water in of high-octane adrenaline.

Paul Walker's untimely ing also seemed to shift the focus from the idea of this family-oriented group and expanded it to include larger-than-life action stars like Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham. The shift was a successful one, but the furious world of fast cars began to include even more impossible stunts, high-grade weaponry, and plot points straight out of a superhero film. When Michelle Rodriguez once mocked the MCU and DCEU, little did she know, her franchise would adopt very similar tropes when expanding its once-believable world.

1 The Avengers (2012)

Assembling A Team Can Be Tricky

The early phases of the MCU tied together so neatly, with heroes being gradually introduced in their own standalone movies. This was the first time comic book films were so intricately connected, with short post-credit scenes and Easter eggs laying the groundwork for the cinematic event that was The Avengers in 2012. The superheroes gelled so well together, there was chemistry and banter aplenty. Audiences enjoyed digging deeper into their relationships and awaited each next installment with bated breath. As it raked in billions, other studios, naturally, wanted a piece of the action.

Even though the Batman and Superman films had always had their own thing going, there was now a thirst to create a rival universe that allowed for team-ups the way the Avengers did. Hence, the DCEU was formed. Not quite as witty, and devoid of the same charm, it offered films like The Justice League and Man of Steel. The Harry Potter franchise also expanded with the Fantastic Beasts series. It does beg the question if these films would have existed if The Avengers hadn't done it so well back in the 2010s.