With the ever-changing culture in certain eras, the themes and plots of movies tend to change with them, which means that certain tropes common in decade-old movies aren't as prevalent now. Some are missed while others are better off left in the past.
1. Black and White Villains
It would be much easier to digest a story where the good guys are good and the bad guys are bad. Older films tend to have antagonists that are just pure evil so that the audience will side with the protagonist 100% of the time.
That's not the case now as we have more complex villains. Some movies are even dedicated to explaining why the antagonists are the way they are. How they are written now could have audiences realize that even if they are despicable, the reason behind their actions is valid.
2. Women in Need of Saving
The damsel-in-distress theme is no longer something people are interested in. In fact, recent movies are placing the spotlight on strong female characters who can take care of themselves, even going as far as saving the day.
This could have something to do with the growing movement towards gender equality, where everyone is capable of being their own person and achieving things no matter who they are. This can be seen as a good thing in many aspects, as it opens the possibility for more interesting stories as well.
3. The Less Attractive Best Friend
When the protagonist is seen as a figure of beauty, they used to have best friends who are portrayed as less attractive. They could be the stereotypical "fat" friend, the nerdy friend, or the friend who's only there for comedic relief.
More recent films add more personality to side characters, to the point where they are the focal point at some parts of the movie. There are even times now when audiences would prefer the side characters over the main ones.
5. No More Slapstick Comedies
In case you don't know, slapstick comedy is the type of humor where the characters exaggerate their movements to the point that it seems almost cartoonish. You might even recognize titles like "Dumb and Dumber," which use this as a way to make audiences laugh.
However, this style of humor is already dying out, if it's not gone already. This time, people prefer more clever jokes or responses, which tend to be shown through sarcasm or witty insults. That's not to say that people still don't enjoy the existing movies that use this type of comedy.
6. Racial Stereotypes
The people behind the making of the movies are becoming more progressive with casting and stories. Some would even argue that they may be overdoing it a little with all the controversies surrounding live-action adaptations.
Still, it's a step in the right direction. More often than not before, the race of the cast matches the common stereotypes that are still known today. For instance, the smart kid is an Asian, the businessman is a Caucasian male in his 40s, and the labor workers are of Latin descent.
