People have always looked to religion to make sense of their world and have something to believe in. In today's society, where the Internet and media play an important role in people's lives, many people view movies as more than just entertainment. For these people, who integrate these films into their daily lives and even meet others to discuss them, what they watch becomes a kind of religion. They learn to live according to the principles of fictional characters and share solidarity with those who feel the same way. Two examples of these "religions" that have arisen are Dudeism, based on the film The Big Lebowski, and the large fandom surrounding the Twilight series. Both of these films exert influence on large groups of fans and resemble religious movements. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why violent video games should not be banned"? Get the original essay The Big Lebowski, a 1998 Coen brothers film, has a large cult following and gave rise to a pseudo-religion called Dudeism . “For [Dudeists], it is not enough to watch the film, quote its valuable aphorisms, or analyze the many confusing linguistic errors that go unnoticed in the dialogue, but these Dudley fans feel the need to do something to celebrate and perpetuate the Dude attitude in the real world” (Andrus, 2016, 114). This "Dude", the film's protagonist, is laid back, gentle and enigmatic, and many fans of the film have adopted his mannerisms and personality. They are “taking it easy” and even have a website to encourage people to join the movement. Although it is a simple comedy film, The Big Lebowski is a lifestyle for many of these fans. They insist that Dudeism is a legitimate religious movement that everyone is open to joining. However, the majority of Dudeists are male, as The Dude is seen as a male figure. Due to its widespread nature and the fact that it focuses on a figure that people seem to imitate, Dudeism is very similar to many mainstream religions. People are used to having a purpose in life and sharing their experience with others. Although less overtly religious than Dudeism, fans of the Twilight series almost seem to revere the books and films. “New media technologies become a space for the formation, shaping and realization of personal identity and the negotiation of values, beliefs and norms for young female users” (Petersen, 2013, 84). In this case, it was mainly female fans who created a large audience around this series. Thanks to the Internet, Twilight fans can create blogs and post on forums to share their feelings about the series. Beyond a simple series of four books or films, this simple love story between a human and a vampire is often thought about and reacted to daily by young women. They shape their identity based on who they want the protagonist to end up with and write long articles criticizing or praising the parts of the story that appeal to them. The supernatural aspect of the story, mixed with a classic romance, gives them something to believe in and relate to. Unlike Dudeists, Twilight fans don't view their followers as part of a religious movement, but it nonetheless unites them and gives more meaning to their daily lives. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. .Get a Personalized Trial These two different versions of..