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The Guide #242: Everyday Hollywood film comedies have faded but can they make a comeback?
In this week’s newsletter: As studios chase safer bets and streamers fail to deliver, the humble standalone comedy has been replaced by blockbusters that sprinkle jokes instead of delivering belly laughs
TL;DR
- Mainstream, standalone American comedies have significantly declined in production and box office success since 2019.
- Comedic elements are now often incorporated into other genres like action, horror, or franchise films, rather than being the primary focus.
- Independent films sometimes offer pure comedy but often incorporate darker or more complex themes, deviating from the simple, mainstream model.
- Streaming services have largely neglected the genre, focusing more on stand-up specials or hybrid genres like rom-coms and action-comedies.
- Key figures in American comedy have moved towards different forms of filmmaking or television production.
- There is a possibility of a comeback for standalone comedies, with directors like Judd Apatow returning to the genre.