How Economic Hard Times Change What Movies We Watch

When money is tight, people often look for fun and light-hearted movies. This has a big impact on what types of films we choose to watch during tough economic times.

Key Trends:

1. Movie Choices:

   • During the Great Recession from 2007 to 2009, many people watched more animated movies and comedies. For example, the movie Kung Fu Panda, released in 2008, made over $630 million around the world. This shows that when times were tough, audiences wanted to watch happier, family-friendly films.
   • In 2020, during the pandemic recession, movies like Trolls World Tour were released online and made $100 million in just three weeks. This shows that people really wanted to escape reality and enjoy some cheerful content.

2. Ticket Sales:

   • A report from the Motion Picture Association found that during hard economic times, horror movies and fantasy films still did well, earning about 15-30% more money than dramas and biopics, which usually fell in sales.
   • In 2009, even though the economy was struggling, the U.S. box office made 7% more money than the year before, totaling about $10.6 billion. This means that even when finances are tough, people still want to have fun and watch movies.

3. What People Do:

   • A survey in 2021 showed that 63% of people said they watch feel-good movies when money is tight. This suggests that during tough times, viewers look for movies that make them feel happy.
   • Also, a study from NPD Group found that streaming services had 50% more people signing up during the last recession. Many of these viewers preferred light-hearted shows and movies. This shows how people shifted their habits to find entertainment that helps them feel better.

Conclusion:

Economic struggles can really change what kinds of movies make money and which genres are popular. When times get tough, people often look for animated films, comedies, and exciting adventures. These kinds of movies not only help people escape from stress, but they also keep box office numbers strong, even in hard financial times.