Americans tire of superhero films and reboots, want more comedies, thrillers and historical dramas
In the post-pandemic era, content consumption habits have undergone a shift. This change is evident in the recent failure of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and the enormous success of Inside Out 2. New research from YouGov explores the specific preferences of US adults, highlighting which movie genres they're eager to see more of and which are beginning to feel stale. These findings offer valuable insights into what the audience is currently seeking in their entertainment choices.
Comedy is king
Comedy emerges as a clear frontrunner with 57% of respondents expressing a desire for more comedic films. Crime films and historical dramas also garner significant interest, with 49% and 48% respectively calling for increased production.
More than two in five Americans want to watch more action (46%), documentaries/ biopics (45%) and Sci-Fi (43%) films.
Superhero fatigue and reboot resistance
On the flip side, the data reveals a growing fatigue with certain genres. Superhero and franchise films, once a guaranteed box office draw, are now facing a decline in popularity. Only 29% of respondents want to see more of these films, with a substantial 40% expressing a desire for fewer. Reboots of old movies are also facing similar challenges, with 47% of viewers wanting to see less of them.
Genres like horror, musicals, teen movies and video game adaptations found the least favor, with around 40% to 51% respondents wanting to see fewer films in these categories.
Animated films get it right
Animated films occupy a unique position. While 31% want to see more animated films, a significant portion (40%) are content with the current output.
While there's a clear appetite for certain genres, a plurality of respondents (31-36%) indicate they would like to maintain the current level of output for genres such as crime/thrillers, historical dramas, action films, science fiction, fantasy adventures, and animated films. This suggests a desire for a balanced cinematic landscape.
The data also highlights a divide in opinion on certain genres. For instance, while 33% of respondents want more romantic comedies, another 29% would prefer to see fewer, indicating a more polarized audience for this genre.
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Methodology: YouGov polled 1,000 US adults on July 23, 2024. The survey was carried out through YouGov Surveys: Self-serve. Data is weighted by age, gender, political affiliation, education level and region. Learn more about YouGov Surveys: Self-serve.
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