A look at why big-studio movies lost their way and whether a new wave of creators is bringing them back — cautiously hopeful for film fans.

• Hollywood's strong run through the '70s, '80s, and '90s faded in the 2000s.
• Movies stopped focusing on good storytelling and started pushing messages or churning out franchises.
• A new crop of creators, led by studios like A24, is bringing fresh talent and real stories back.
• The bet is that audiences reconnect when films have an emotional center again.

Outlook: The industry may be in early rebirth, but it leans on independent creators rather than the old studio system.