In 2025, 20th Century Studios—formerly 20th Century Fox—celebrates its 90th anniversary, marking nearly a century of groundbreaking cinema, unforgettable characters, and iconic contributions to the world of entertainment. From Star Wars to Titanic, The Sound of Music to Die Hard, the studio has left a colossal footprint on pop culture and film history.

As it celebrates this milestone, 20th Century Studios stands not just as a historic brand but as a cultural institution that helped shape Hollywood into what it is today. Let’s take a journey through its history, explore some of its most influential films, and examine how it continues to play a key role in modern media.

The Birth of a Giant: 20th Century Fox is Born (1935)

The origins of 20th Century Studios begin with a merger in 1935 between two separate entities: Twentieth Century Pictures, founded in 1933 by Joseph Schenck and Darryl F. Zanuck, and the Fox Film Corporation, founded in 1915 by William Fox. The combined company was dubbed 20th Century-Fox Film Corporation, later stylized as 20th Century Fox.

The new studio quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with. Under Zanuck’s leadership, it embraced prestige storytelling, cutting-edge technology, and a roster of rising stars that helped define the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Golden Age Highlights: 1930s–1950s

During Hollywood’s Golden Age, 20th Century Fox became known for high-quality drama, musicals, and groundbreaking filmmaking. A few highlights from this era include:

  • The Grapes of Wrath (1940) – Directed by John Ford and based on John Steinbeck’s novel, this film won two Academy Awards and set a precedent for socially conscious cinema.
  • How Green Was My Valley (1941) – This emotional drama beat out Citizen Kane for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.
  • Miracle on 34th Street (1947) – A holiday classic that endures to this day, blending magic, marketing, and moral lessons.

In the 1950s, Fox leaned heavily into musical epics and big-budget spectacles to compete with the rising popularity of television. This included:

  • The Robe (1953) – The first film released in CinemaScope, a widescreen format that revolutionized the viewing experience.
  • The King and I (1956) and South Pacific (1958) – Lavish Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals that became cornerstones of classic cinema.

The Sound of Success: 1960s–1970s

The 1960s saw 20th Century Fox pushing boundaries both artistically and financially.

  • Cleopatra (1963) – Despite its infamous budget overruns and production chaos, Cleopatra became a box office success and cultural talking point. It also introduced the world to the love affair between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
  • The Sound of Music (1965) – One of the studio’s crowning achievements, it won five Academy Awards and became one of the highest-grossing films of all time.
  • Planet of the Apes (1968) – A bold sci-fi film that launched a franchise still relevant today. Its twist ending and commentary on society helped redefine science fiction.

A New Hope: The Star Wars Era and Beyond (1970s–1980s)

No conversation about 20th Century Fox is complete without mentioning its most iconic distribution deal: Star Wars.

In 1977, Fox released George Lucas’ Star Wars—a gamble on a space opera from a relatively unproven director. The result was a seismic shift in movie history. Star Wars became a cultural phenomenon, spawning sequels, merchandising empires, and making science fiction mainstream.

Other hits from this golden era include:

  • Alien (1979) – A terrifying and genre-defining blend of horror and sci-fi directed by Ridley Scott.
  • The Empire Strikes Back (1980) – Considered one of the greatest sequels ever made.
  • Die Hard (1988) – A game-changing action movie that turned Bruce Willis into a superstar and redefined the genre.

This period also showcased Fox’s willingness to take risks and innovate with edgy, genre-pushing content.

The 1990s Powerhouse

In the 1990s, Fox delivered some of the most iconic films of the decade:

  • Home Alone (1990) – A holiday staple and one of the most successful family films ever.
  • Independence Day (1996) – A patriotic alien invasion epic that epitomized summer blockbusters.
  • Titanic (1997) – While technically co-financed with Paramount, it was released internationally by Fox and became the highest-grossing film of all time at that point.

The studio also expanded its influence with the launch of 20th Century Fox Television, producing hits like The X-Files, Ally McBeal, and The Simpsons, further solidifying its dominance across media.

2000s and the Superhero Boom

In the early 2000s, Fox took the lead in the rising superhero genre by adapting X-Men (2000), paving the way for the MCU and DCEU. The success of the X-Men franchise confirmed that superhero films were viable long-term investments, especially when treated with serious storytelling and high production values.

Other 2000s highlights include:

  • Ice Age (2002) – Launching a successful animated franchise under Blue Sky Studios.
  • Avatar (2009) – Directed by James Cameron, Avatar became the highest-grossing film of all time, a title it would trade back and forth with Avengers: Endgame.

A New Era: Disney’s Acquisition (2019)

In 2019, the entertainment landscape changed forever when The Walt Disney Company acquired 21st Century Fox, including 20th Century Fox’s film and TV studios, for $71.3 billion.

As part of the merger, the name was changed to 20th Century Studios, dropping “Fox” to avoid brand confusion with the Fox Corporation that remained independent (owning Fox News, Fox Sports, etc.).

Though some feared the Disney acquisition would homogenize or diminish the studio’s legacy, 20th Century Studios has remained active, producing:

  • Free Guy (2021) – A meta action-comedy starring Ryan Reynolds that was both critically acclaimed and a box office success.
  • The Creator (2023) – An ambitious original sci-fi film.
  • Continued work on Avatar sequels, in partnership with James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment.

Legacy and Impact on Film History

Few studios have a résumé as legendary as 20th Century Studios. Its impact includes:

  • Technological Innovation – From CinemaScope to digital effects, the studio has consistently embraced change.
  • Genre Diversity – Whether musicals, sci-fi, drama, or animation, 20th Century Studios has done it all—and done it well.
  • Franchise Foundations – Star Wars, Alien, X-Men, Home Alone, and Avatar—all either began or thrived under the 20th Century banner.
  • Championing Talent – The studio has supported generations of visionary directors including George Lucas, James Cameron, Ridley Scott, Baz Luhrmann, and Robert Zemeckis.

Celebrating 90 Years: Looking Ahead

As 20th Century Studios turns 90, it’s both a time of reflection and reinvention. With the backing of Disney and a deep archive of intellectual property, the studio continues to evolve while respecting its roots.

It remains a key player in a fragmented film landscape—one where theatrical releases compete with streaming dominance, and where nostalgia, franchise building, and original storytelling must coexist.

Projects currently in development include:

  • More Avatar sequels
  • New adaptations of The Planet of the Apes
  • A continued presence in Disney+ and Hulu offerings

Final Thoughts

For 90 years, 20th Century Studios has shaped, defined, and transformed cinema. Through mergers, reinventions, and blockbusters, its legacy continues to thrive. It’s more than just a film studio—it’s a symbol of Hollywood’s golden dreams, tech revolutions, and bold storytelling.

In a world constantly evolving, 20th Century Studios proves that iconic institutions can still innovate, still surprise us, and still deliver unforgettable movie magic.