Movies

Stelios Michalopoulos and Christopher Rauh

No 32220, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: Why are certain movies more successful in some markets than others? Are the entertainment products we consume reflective of our core values and beliefs? These questions drive our investigation into the relationship between a society’s oral tradition and the financial success of films. We combine a unique catalog of local tales, myths, and legends around the world with data on international movie screenings and revenues. First, we quantify the similarity between movies’ plots and traditional motifs employing machine learning techniques. Comparing the same movie across different markets, we establish that films that resonate more with local folklore systematically accrue higher revenue and are more likely to be screened. Second, we document analogous patterns within the US. Google Trends data reveal a pronounced interest in markets where ancestral narratives align more closely with a movie’s theme. Third, we delve into the explicit values transmitted by films, concentrating on the depiction of risk and gender roles. Films that promote risk-taking sell more in entrepreneurial societies today, rooted in traditions where characters pursue dangerous tasks successfully. Films portraying women in stereotypical roles continue to find a robust audience in societies with similar gender stereotypes in their folklore and where women today continue being relegated to subordinate positions. These findings underscore the enduring influence of traditional storytelling on entertainment patterns in the 21st century, highlighting a profound connection between movie consumption and deeply ingrained cultural narratives and values.

JEL-codes: N0 O10 P0 Z00 Z1 Z10 Z11 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-big, nep-cul, nep-gro and nep-his
Note: DEV EFG POL
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Related works:
Working Paper: Movies (2024)
Working Paper: Movies (2024)
Working Paper: Movies (2024)
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