The film Metropolis highlighted the early 20th century audiences' desire for escapism through cinema. As technology and storytelling in film advanced, movies became a key aspect of American culture, offering an affordable escape from the everyday, especially during tough economic times like the Great Depression. Other forms of entertainment, such as amusement parks, also contributed to this culture of escapism.
The film Metropolis is an example of how the allure of the silver screen provided escapism during the early 20th century. With the advent of new technologies like CinemaScope and Cinerama, coupled with engaging storylines in genres ranging from drama and romantic comedy to horror and science fiction, movies became a popular cultural phenomenon. The 1920s, known as the Roaring Twenties, saw increased prosperity, allowing more Americans to spend on entertainment like the burgeoning movie industry. Weekly movie attendance numbers reached the tens of millions as people often visited the cinemas more than once a week to escape from the mundanities or struggles of their everyday lives.
Moreover, Metropolis, with its dystopian view of the future, resonated with audiences because it presented not only entertainment but also a reflection on contemporary societal concerns. The importance of movies grew in times of economic hardship as well, such as during the Great Depression, where the low cost of a movie ticket provided an affordable means for temporary relief and distraction. Not only did the feature films entertain, but they also created a space for people to imagine better times, which was a much-needed respite during tough economic times.