How many times have you heard the phrase, “sex sells?” People often state that sex can help companies sell more of their products. It doesn’t matter what the product is. It can be anything — ranging from clothing to food to movies. It’s a commonly known fact, but is it true?
Results from recent research seem to debunk this “fact,” making it possibly one of the most widely-believed myths. At least for movies, that is. According to a study conducted recently by “Sex Doesn’t Sell — nor Impress! Content, Box Office, Critics, and Awards in Mainstream Cinema,” nudity and explicit sex scenes don’t translate to major success for films. Researchers examined more than 900 movies released between 2001 and 2005, and the results were more than surprising. Sex failed to positively affect a film’s popularity among viewers and critics. Furthermore, it didn’t guarantee box office success.
The results held true both for domestic and international films. Even in R movies, the research showed that less sex and nudity fared better. None of the top-grossing films during the four-year study contained graphic sex. Rather, most included only minor scenes of sexual situations and/or nudity.
I’m not a fan of selling “sex,” so these findings are refreshing to me. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who doesn’t want to watch graphic sexual scenes or nudity. It’s simply not necessary in order to make a good movie. Family-friendly films are much more appealing. Apparently, others agree, and the box office numbers prove it.
Hollywood, are you listening?
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