The Decline of the Studio Era

The decline of the Studio Era, which lasted roughly from the 1920s to the 1950s, happened because of several factors. The rise of television offered a new way for audiences to watch entertainment at home, reducing movie theater visits. Antitrust laws, like the 1948 Paramount Decision, also forced studios to sell off their theaters and stop monopolizing production and distribution. Additionally, changing viewer tastes, the move toward more artistic and independent filmmaking, and the decline of the Hays Code's strict censorship contributed to this shift. Overall, these changes transformed Hollywood from a tightly controlled industry into a more diverse and competitive landscape.