5 Reasons Why Twilight and New Moon Are So Popular by Larson Hill
The popularity of Twilight and New Moon is washing over the web like a tidal wave of brooding vampire blood. In fact, Twilight and New Moon are so popular that it's hard to find your way around the online world without spotting Twilight stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, and Nikki Reed at some point within an hour, any hour, of the day. Given the surge of weekly headlines devoted to the Twilight franchise and its stars, with New Moon currently filming in Vancouver, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that both Twilight and New Moon are the hottest items on the web, and will be until the November 20 theatrical release of the Twilight sequel.
But why is Twilight so popular? Why is it becoming such a phenomenon that some people can't quite figure out? Although there are many answers on the surface, there are a few more underneath the Twilight hype that are worth taking a look at.
Since we're in the thick of Twilight love along with the fans, as New Moon shoots north of the border, here are five reasons that we've been mulling over why Twilight is so popular online with fans everywhere, which explains the growing buzz and hype:
Twilight and the Social Networking era
When you step back and objectively take a look how popular the Twilight franchise has become, it's interesting to see how much the Stephenie Meyer based saga is benefiting from how connected we now are as a people. Networks like Twitter and Facebook (to name only two of hundreds) bring together Twilight fans in so many ways that weren't available in years past. On the flip side of the Twilight coin, with its sequel New Moon currently filming in Vancouver, the Twilight Saga is also being marketed to fans through various social networks at the same time.
Unlike years past, when fans gathered solely in fan website message boards and chat rooms to talk about their favorite movie franchise, there's a new relationship between fans and movie studios that we've never seen before. Also, Twilight actors like Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, and Nikki Reed have become much more accessible to their fans than most actors at any other time in the history of Hollywood. And when you take into consideration the social video movement on networks like YouTube, Metacafe, and iMeem, and the many fan-made video expressions of their love for Twilight and New Moon, it's not that difficult to understand why Twilight has "all of a sudden" become so popular. Although it may seem like the hype and buzz surrounding Twilight and New Moon is out of hand, it’s much more organic than we think.
To a large degree, we're actually seeing a property so popular that it's permeating throughout all social networks and connecting with a worldwide age range of fans ... even the ones that don't like the Twilight franchise. Fans have been Twittering by the hour to coordinate and scout for the New Moon shooting locations, too. It's modern word of mouth like we've never seen before, with visual stimuli. To some degree, you'd also be able to make a correlation between many movies, including Twilight, and the social networking era to rising box-office receipts and merchandising sales.
And none of this includes the traditional mainstream media and the evolution of news in the online world.
Twilight Misfits in a Rapidly Changing Time:
As most know by now, Twilight is a modern day love story seen through the eyes of 17 year old Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) who becomes romantically fascinated by her handsome school mate, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), a vampire with a long history. What exists in Twilight, and the Twilight Saga, is a push - pull type relationship with relatable characters who are trying to not only fit into themselves but the world around them. Bella and Edward embody the very Twilight qualities and New Moon dynamics that each and every one of us has experienced at some point in our lives. And what's most interesting is that the inner turmoil of the characters within their relationship isn't confined solely to teens coming of age. The Stephenie Meyer Twilight series has a huge adult following as well. It's as much about how we fit into our world as it is how Edward and Bella fit into their world and relationship given all that should keep them apart.
As a vampire, Edward can fit into our society yet Bella is willing to become a vampire in order to be with Edward forever. In other ways it's about fitting in with themselves and their environment while confronting the issue that running away from problems isn't something that can be ignored forever.
Why do people relate so much with the Twilight Saga? We've been there in life, or some of us are there now; that's why. But the world is rapidly changing around us each day in an ever-expanding information age. Given all of the advances in technology, changes in politics, simmering world tensions, a heavier-then-need-be focus on celebrity, and much more, there are a lot of people out there who feel exactly like Edward and Bella at this very moment, trying to find their way when sometimes they have no choice but to trust in the forbidden, even if it can kill you.
Twilight Fans of All Ages with a Common Bond
Like it or not, the Twilight Saga is bringing both young and old fans of Twilight and New Moon together in a rare common bond relationship that doesn't feel awkward. For a great example of Twilight and New Moon chatter between fans of all ages, check out the comments in our recent feature Top 5 Twilight Questions Surrounding New Moon. For a movie franchise that's obviously geared toward a younger demographic, Twilight and New Moon have also captured the hearts of older fans through the books of the Twilight Saga.
Given the many Twilight discussions, and a common love for the Twilight Saga, fans have embraced each other despite the various age gaps. Although many fathers and sons experienced The Dark Knight together in the theaters, the diverse discussions among Twilight fans makes me wonder whether those parents that saw the latest Batman movie were also coming together in talkback forums in the same manner with younger fans. Maybe. But somehow Twilight, along with New Moon, feels different.
Of course, this doesn't include all of the hot-blooded Twilight affection for New Moon stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, and Nikki Reed. Mom's of the Twilight world, you should be ashamed of yourselves. Ah, I'm just kidding.
Twilight Love in a New Moon Time of War and Recession
Although this one's not quite as tangible on the Twilight scale as the rest, it's not hard to conceive that the huge online groundswell for the Twilight franchise is due in part to the real life exhaustion of uncertainty and upheaval over both social and global conflict. I mean, after enduring eight years of negative images on the nightly news, running away from real life for a few hours to the world of Twilight isn't a bad idea. If Edward runs away because he doesn't want to hurt Bella, are we running away because we don't want to get hurt by real life? Although I obviously don't put too much stock in a Twilight notion like this, Twilight and New Moon are the hottest topics on the web, and it's only getting more popular as New Moon readies for its November 20 release.
Twilight Flesh for New Moon Fantasy
Aside from the Billy Idol underpinning of the title, this one's obvious, and it's all about escape and lust. The Twilight Saga, both in book form and movies, has all the right ingredients for the female population to lose themselves in fantasy. I mean, punch the names Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner into Google and see what you come up with. It's the forbidden fruit of falling in love and getting steamy with not only the Twilight and New Moon actors, but also the characters of Edward Cullen and Jacob Black. It's the fantasy of "if only I could" or "if only life were like" type of scenarios.
But the funny thing is, and sorry to say, a lot of young guys out there now have a huge Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner standard to live up to. And right now that bar is higher than Mt. Everest. But the reality is that those images are fantasy, and both Pattinson and Lautner are just normal dudes like the rest of us living in a larger than life fantasy inside a fantasy (if that makes any sense). But Twilight also offers young guys a desirable, self-confident young fantasy love in Bella, with a unique and independent spirit in Kristen Stewart. And that's even if some guys don't want to admit they've fallen in fantasy love with Bella, Stewart, and Twilight.
We all live in real life, as do the Twilight and New Moon stars, but it's all centered around the forbidden and romantic, imaginative fantasy that fans also lust after. I mean, Angel, Spike, and Buffy, or even previous vampires like Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt … it all comes from the same fantastical place with Twilight and New Moon.
Hey, if you dont like Twilight then dont read the books, go to the web sites or voice your opinion.
The Twilight books are very absorbing. You cant put them down, they are very entertaining. You anti-Twilight people are correct in that they are not well written but the underlying story is awesome. Most everyone I talk to loved the books...and the movies too, so far. You see people everywhere reading
these boks. Cannot wait until Eclipse comes out. Hope that David Slade did not mess it up by making it too dark. Definitely think Breaking Dawn should be done in two parts - like the final Harry Potter book. But dont know if a guy or a woman should direct it. There are parts of Breaking Dawn thet would be better approached by a woman.
Catherine Hardwicke did a good job with the resources available to her ($37 million budget and totally unknown actors) and made Twilight a very touching story of forbidden love. New Moon was good - even
though the story is darker and about loosing love. The special effects were much better than in Twilight,
because of a bigger budget. There were many conversations and situations in New Moon that would have been nice to see in the film. I hope that all of the key elements of Eclipse are incorporated into the movie. Should be interesting to see.....cant wait.
Mrs. Bovee – My Computer Chair
December 10, 2009 - 19:42
Subject: Ha.
I dislike Twilight for the simple reason that it has made a sham out of vampire literature. New takes on vampires are always welcome, but making them sparkly pansies is just wrong.
Dan
September 18, 2009 - 07:35
Subject: You have to be 14 with ovaries in order to be stupid enough to like this crap.
Put these vampires up against the vampires in Underworld. They'd last about 4 seconds before their crying little heads got pulled off. This is a classic case of MTV kids liking what they are told to like. It's a joke!
Keely Cullen!!!!!
April 30, 2009 - 21:24
Subject: TWILGHT (SAGA)
WHY DO SOOOOOOOOOO MANY OF YOU HATE TWILIGHT???????? ITS COMPLETELY AWESOME!!!!!!!!! ITS SOOOOOOO HARD FOR SOMETHING TO BE BETTER THAN TWILIGHT!!! ITS MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT 24/7/366!!!!!!!! (yes i mean 366-it has 366 days in a year during a leap year=]) SOOOOOOOOOOOO The Lion Fell In Love With The Lamb!!!! =]
Reply to Keely Cullen!!!!!
SJSRYK
May 30, 2009 - 00:23
Subject: Re: TWILGHT (SAGA)
Please... PLEASE, shutup
Reply to Keely Cullen!!!!!
FeeblerBee
December 19, 2009 - 12:22
Subject: Re: TWILGHT (SAGA)
psh---
probably 67% of teens in america feel this way. And it's sad, because twilight is probably one of the WORST books I have read.
Very poorly written. And all of these Twilight-crazed kiddies are completely unaware of what good writing is.
brandy – Anderson IN
April 18, 2009 - 11:13
Subject: Twilight
Twilight is a GOOD book... one that every girl and some guys can enjoy.... I think twilight brings people together.... I dont know how many times that when i heard the word twilight i have started a convorsation with a complete stranger... as them i or others... it cool... i love em and having something to talk about with about any one
Reply to brandy
Weltem
October 02, 2009 - 00:25
Subject: Re: Twilight
The same thing happened with Mein Kampf. So are you saying that the memoirs of Hitler are "good" because they brought people together?
SJSRYK – xhkxfk
April 15, 2009 - 19:26
Subject: Twilight is terrible
How can you like this crap? I mean the plot can be summed up basicly like this... We're in love, I'm a vampire, we're in a truck. Oh and whoever was talking about Edward's character changing, his only reason for existance is to go I LOVE YOU BELLA. He has no interesting features no backstory. All he does is state how much he loves Bella and how souless he is. BUT HE WON'T EVEN HAVE SEX WITH HER BEFORE THEIR MARRIED. WHEN I CAN SUM UP A CHARACTER AS I'M A VAMPIRE THAT'S NOT A GOOD CHARACTER. So what about Bella? All she's there for is to soak up love and devotion, AND NOTHING ELSE. I mean... what? WHAT?!! What's worse is this series goes around soaking up unearned love and devotion. At least the harry Potter series was well thought out and done. I could create better writing by putting my cat on the keyboard with a box over it so he doesn't fall off.
Reply to SJSRYK
SJSRYK – xhkxfk
April 15, 2009 - 19:28
Subject: Re: Twilight is terrible
That's so correct thank you for stating your valued opinions
Reply to SJSRYK
SJSRYK – xhkxfk
April 15, 2009 - 19:29
Subject: Re: Twilight is terrible
Your welcome, and were these guys hired by Stephanie?
Judy – USA
April 15, 2009 - 15:24
Subject: Twilight Article
Stephenie Meyer rocks! Call it what you will, I call it escapism at its finest! I read Twilight to make sure it was okay for my daughter to read, and yes, I got sucked right in. To begin with, I thought Edward was more of a stalker type and was leaning toward the whole "Team Jacob" thing. When I finally finished all four books, I realized that Edward's character was, quite simply, noble, whereas Jacob was immature. I enjoyed the development of Edward's character through out the saga, and still today, I don't think Bella deserved him! Can't wait for New Moon in November 09 - I just wish Stephenie Meyer would write book five - perhaps showing all of the individual challenges the Voluturi could throw the Cullen's way. That would be great.
alyssa
April 15, 2009 - 12:17
Subject:
Hey I am a TWIHARD fan too and i am on a soccer team with a girl who's uncle was in robert pattinson's parent's wedding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! s they live somewhere in colorado and my friend is going to visit colorado at the same time robert pattinson is visiting and is going to ask him if he can visit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG and sense Robert's family and my friends family are so close and because rob is a nice guy he will say YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The popularity of Twilight and New Moon is washing over the web like a tidal wave of brooding vampire blood. In fact, Twilight and New Moon are so popular that it's hard to find your way around the online world without spotting Twilight stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, and Nikki Reed at some point within an hour, any hour, of the day. Given the surge of weekly headlines devoted to the Twilight franchise and its stars, with New Moon currently filming in Vancouver, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that both Twilight and New Moon are the hottest items on the web, and will be until the November 20 theatrical release of the Twilight sequel.
When you step back and objectively take a look how popular the Twilight franchise has become, it's interesting to see how much the Stephenie Meyer based saga is benefiting from how connected we now are as a people. Networks like Twitter and Facebook (to name only two of hundreds) bring together Twilight fans in so many ways that weren't available in years past. On the flip side of the Twilight coin, with its sequel New Moon currently filming in Vancouver, the Twilight Saga is also being marketed to fans through various social networks at the same time.
As most know by now, Twilight is a modern day love story seen through the eyes of 17 year old Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) who becomes romantically fascinated by her handsome school mate, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), a vampire with a long history. What exists in Twilight, and the Twilight Saga, is a push - pull type relationship with relatable characters who are trying to not only fit into themselves but the world around them. Bella and Edward embody the very Twilight qualities and New Moon dynamics that each and every one of us has experienced at some point in our lives. And what's most interesting is that the inner turmoil of the characters within their relationship isn't confined solely to teens coming of age. The Stephenie Meyer Twilight series has a huge adult following as well. It's as much about how we fit into our world as it is how Edward and Bella fit into their world and relationship given all that should keep them apart.
Like it or not, the Twilight Saga is bringing both young and old fans of Twilight and New Moon together in a rare common bond relationship that doesn't feel awkward. For a great example of Twilight and New Moon chatter between fans of all ages, check out the comments in our recent feature 
Aside from the Billy Idol underpinning of the title, this one's obvious, and it's all about escape and lust. The Twilight Saga, both in book form and movies, has all the right ingredients for the female population to lose themselves in fantasy. I mean, punch the names Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner into Google and see what you come up with. It's the forbidden fruit of falling in love and getting steamy with not only the Twilight and New Moon actors, but also the characters of Edward Cullen and Jacob Black. It's the fantasy of "if only I could" or "if only life were like" type of scenarios.