MOVIEGUIDE®’s annual box office analysis once again shows that American moviegoers prefer more conservative movies overall.
Thus, movies in 2019 with more patriotic, pro-capitalist and/or very strong morally uplifting content or values supporting liberty and opposing tyranny did much better than movies with more leftist content, earning significantly more money in Calendar Year 2019. In fact, when you combine the strongest conservative content categories versus the strongest liberal or leftist content categories, movies with relatively strong conservative content averaged significantly more than four times more money in 2019 than movies with relatively strong liberal/leftist/immoral content, $88.33 million per movie compared to only $20.05 million per movie. Movies with conservative content also did much better overall, making 314% more money, $6.98 billion versus $1.68 billion.
Our political analysis over the last four years shows some interesting trends.
For example, MOVIEGUIDE®’s analysis of the political content in movies in 2016 seemed to predict the Republican, conservative victory in the 2016 elections. However, our 2017 analysis showed a stronger anti-conservative trend, as represented by the increasingly partisan attitude in the mainstream media.
After that, our 2018 figures showed a strong conservative rebound among moviegoers, even though Hollywood clearly released more tentpole movies with strong liberal or leftist content. Consequently, the 2018 midterm elections showed Republicans maintaining control of the United States Senate, but losing the House of Representatives. This mirrors the trends MOVIEGUIDE® discovered in 2018.
In 2019, however, movies with more conservative content and values continued to do better at the box office, but so did movies with more liberal/leftist content and values. Do these numbers reflect the partisan divide we saw in the news coverage of the impeachment battle between Democrats and Republicans in Congress at the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020? Perhaps.
Ultimately, though, filmmakers who insert strong Pro-American, patriotic, pro-capitalist, conservative content and traditional moral values supporting liberty and limited government have a much better chance of making more money when they do.
That said, MOVIEGUIDE® would like to point out that, although moviegoers might prefer movies with more conservative values, this doesn’t mean that all the moviegoers who prefer such movies are actually conservative or that they always vote Republican. In fact, it’s possible that some conservative-leaning moviegoers might like movies with liberal and even leftist values, and some liberal-leaning moviegoers might like movies with conservative values. Finally, the moviegoing audience also includes many people who classify themselves as independent or “moderate.”
However, this study clearly shows, year in and year out, that most moviegoers, whether conservative, liberal or independent, or Democrat or Republican, demonstrate a decided preference for movies with conservative content and values.
** Political Content for 2019
| Content | Count | 2019 Avg. B.O. |
| Anti-Communist Content | 12 | $81,546,253 |
| Strong Pro-Capitalist Content | 8 | $112,272,078 |
| Very Strong Biblical Morality* | 36 | $69,910,235 |
| Strong Patriotic/Pro-American Movies | 23 | $112,379,653 |
| Strong Politically Correct Content | 32 | $30,024,459 |
| Strong Anti-Patriotic/Anti-American Movies | 9 | $6,912,389 |
| Pro-Communist Content | 8 | $12,579,589 |
| Strong Anti-Capitalist Content | 12 | $8,341,324 |
| Very Strong Pro-Homosexual Content | 8 | $41,633,924 |
| Pro-Socialist Content | 2 | $55,331 |
| Very Strong Feminism | 7 | $6,693,972 |
| Very Strong Pro-Atheism | 6 | $13,373,300 |
| Content | Count | Total 2019 B.O. | 2019 Avg. B.O. |
| All Conservative/Moral Categories | 79 | $6,978,232,150 | $88,332,053 |
| All Liberal/Leftist/Immoral Categories | 84 | $1,684,006,456 | $20,047,696 |
Note: Our political database includes a few movies containing both liberal and conservative content, which can, of course, cancel one another out. Also, not all the movies listed above were thoroughly conservative, liberal or leftist (some of the political content may be strong or overt but brief).
Movies in 2019 having at least some strong or very strong Pro-American, pro-military and first responders, conservative, patriotic, moral, anti-totalitarian, anti-communist, and/or capitalist content or values promoting liberty against tyranny (PP, PPP, AC, ACAC, ACACAC, BBB, CapCap, CapCapCap) included THE LION KING (2019), TOY STORY 4, AVENGERS: ENDGAME, OVERCOMER, BREAKTHROUGH, MIDWAY, STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER, APOLLO 11, THE LEGO MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART, LITTLE WOMEN (2019), RICHARD JEWELL, 1917, A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, ANGEL HAS FALLEN, ALLADDIN (2019), FROZEN II, FORD V. FERRARI, A HIDDEN LIFE, PLAYING WITH FIRE, HARRIET, DARK WATERS, CAPTAIN MARVEL, DUMBO, SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME, DOLEMITE IS MY NAME, CAPTIVE STATE, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD, JUST MERCY, ONE CHILD NATION, NO SAFE SPACES (the most successful political documentary in 2019), and FAITH, HOPE & LOVE.
Movies having at least some strong or very strong Anti-American, left-wing, immoral, anti-capitalist, politically correct, socialist, atheist, radical feminist, pro-homosexual, and/or pro-communist content or values supporting tyranny (APAP, APAPAP, AcapAcap, AcapAcapAcap, PCPC, PCPCPC, FeFeFe, HHH, HoHoHo, Co, CoCo, CoCoCo, So, SoSo, SoSoSo) included JOKER, IT CHAPTER TWO, SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK, PARASITE, THE TWO POPES, QUEN & SLIM, DOWNTON ABBEY, THE KICHEN, ALL IS TRUE, BOOKSMART, AT WAR, COLD PURSUIT, ROCKETMAN, DOLEMITE IS MY NAME, MISSING LINK, READY OR NOT, IP MAN 4: THE FINALE, LATE NIGHT, BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON, THE FALL OF THE AMERICAN EMPIRE, OFFICIAL SECRETS, WHAT MEN WANT, THE IRISHMAN, RED JOAN, THE DEAD DON’T DIE, THE WARRIOR QUEEN OF JHANSI, HAMPSTEAD, CHARLIE SAYS, WILD NIGHTS WITH EMILY, LUCY IN THE SKY, WALLFLOWER, OFFICIAL SECRETS, OTHERHOOD, BLACK CHRISTMAS (2019), and WHERE’S MY ROY COHN?.
** Political Content for 2018
| Content | Count | 2018 Avg. B.O. |
| Anti-Communist Content | 21 | $112,403,197 |
| Strong Pro-Capitalist Content | 19 | $100,621,024 |
| Very Strong Biblical Morality* | 36 | $70,963,405 |
| Strong Patriotic/Pro-American Movies | 29 | $70,390,964 |
| Strong Politically Correct Content | 45 | $21,889,732 |
| Strong Anti-Patriotic/Anti-American Movies | 15 | $16,726,383 |
| Pro-Communist Content | 8 | $10,195,799 |
| Strong Anti-Capitalist Content | 8 | $9,137,609 |
| Very Strong Pro-Homosexual Content | 20 | $8,697,888 |
| Pro-Socialist Content | 9 | $7,599,357 |
| Very Strong Feminism | 12 | $5,723,022 |
| Very Strong Pro-Atheism | 14 | $5,298,077 |
| Content | Count | Total 2018 B.O. | 2018 Avg. B.O. |
| All Conservative/Moral Categories | 105 | $8,868,854,124 | $84,465,277 |
| All Liberal/Leftist/Immoral Categories | 131 | $1,775,802,227 | $13,555,742 |
Note: Our political database includes a few movies containing both liberal and conservative content, which can, of course, cancel one another out. Also, not all the movies listed above were thoroughly conservative, liberal or leftist (some of the political content may be strong or overt but brief).
Movies in 2018 having strong or very strong Pro-American, pro-military and first responders, conservative, patriotic, moral, anti-totalitarian, anti-communist, and/or capitalist content or values promoting liberty against tyranny (PP, PPP, AC, ACAC, ACACAC, BBB, CapCap, CapCapCap) included INCREDIBLES 2, JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT, SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY, A QUIET PLACE, RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET, PETER RABBIT, LITTLE PINK HOUSE, DEATH OF A NATION, THE DEATH OF STALIN, ANT-MAN AND THE WASP, PADDINGTON 2, JOHNNY ENGLISH STRIKES AGAIN, SCIENCE FAIR, THE BOOKSHOP, LITTLE ITALY, INDIVISIBLE, GOD BLESS THE BROKEN ROAD, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE, THE 15:17 TO PARIS, INSTANT FAMILY, THE GRINCH, SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE, UNBROKEN: PATH TO REDEMPTION, 12 STRONG, DEATH WISH (2018), AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, THE EQUALIZER 2, and SKYSCRAPER.
Movies having strong or very strong Anti-American, left-wing, immoral, anti-capitalist, politically correct, socialist, atheist, radical feminist, pro-homosexual, and/or pro-communist content or values supporting tyranny (APAP, APAPAP, AcapAcap, AcapAcapAcap, PCPC, PCPCPC, FeFeFe, HHH, HoHoHo, Co, CoCo, CoCoCo, So, SoSo, SoSoSo) included ON THE BASIS OF SEX, DEADPOOL 2, ASSASSINATION NATION, COLETTE, VICE, SORRY TO BOTHER YOU, THE FIRST PURGE, WINCHESTER, WOMAN WALKS AHEAD, RBG, BLACKKKLANSMAN, DISOBEDIENCE, A FANTASTIC WOMAN, LITTLE ITALY, THE BOOKSHOP, THE FAVOURITE, MORTAL ENGINES, BLINDSPOTTING, ROBIN HOOD, FIRST REFORMED, HEARTS BEAT LOUD, THE YOUNG KARL MARX, FAHRENHEIT 11/9, LIZZIE, THE PARTY, THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON, WELCOME TO MARWEN, BLOCKERS, and LOVE, SIMON.
** Political Content for 2017
| Content | Count | 2017 Avg. B.O. |
| Anti-Communist Content | 19 | $65,320,435 |
| Very Strong Biblical Morality* | 39 | $63,771,108 |
| Strong Pro-Capitalist Content | 11 | $60,533,441 |
| Strong Patriotic/Pro-American Movies | 27 | $64,011,180 |
| Strong Anti-Patriotic/Anti-American Movies | 13 | $42,168,235 |
| Strong Politically Correct Content | 32 | $41,619,967 |
| Strong Anti-Capitalist Content | 5 | $13,791,752 |
| Pro-Communist Content | 6 | $10,634,156 |
| Pro-Socialist Content | 7 | $9,420,074 |
| Very Strong Pro-Homosexual Content | 11 | $7,103,727 |
| Very Strong Feminism | 4 | $5,161,738 |
| Very Strong Pro-Atheism | 8 | $1,162,499 |
| Content | Count | Total 2017 B.O. | 2017 Avg. B.O. |
| All Conservative/Moral Categories | 96 | $6,122,331,191 | $63,774,283 |
| All Liberal/Leftist/Immoral Categories | 86 | $2,186,818,162 | $25,428,118 |
Note: Our political database includes a few movies containing both liberal and conservative content, which can, of course, cancel one another out. Also, not all the movies listed above were thoroughly conservative, liberal or leftist (some of the political content may be strong or overt but brief).
Movies in 2017 with strong or very strong Pro-American, pro-military and first responders, conservative, patriotic, moral, anti-totalitarian, and/or capitalist content or values promoting liberty against tyranny (PP, PPP, AC, ACAC, ACACAC, BBB, CapCap, CapCapCap) included CARS 3, WONDER WOMAN, DESPICABLE ME 3, DUNKIRK, JUSTICE LEAGUE, DARKEST HOUR, THE BOSS BABY, STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI, THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE, WONDER, KONG: SKULL ISLAND, THE GREATEST SHOWMAN, DEALT, THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS, BITTER HARVEST, THE PROMISE (2017), CHURCHILL, THE CASE FOR CHRIST, THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS, LET THERE BE LIGHT, ON WINGS OF EAGLES, SAME DIFFERENCE AS ME, NO GREATER LOVE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, THE ZOOKEEPER’S WIFE, AMERICAN ASSASSIN, LAST FLAG FLYING, MUDBOUND, ONLY THE BRAVE, STRONGER, HOSTILES, and WIND RIVER, among others.
Movies with strong or very strong Anti-American, left-wing, immoral, anti-capitalist, politically correct, socialist, atheist, radical feminist, pro-homosexual, and/or pro-communist content or values supporting tyranny (APAP, APAPAP, AcapAcap, AcapAcapAcap, PCPC, PCPCPC, FeFeFe, HHH, HoHoHo, Co, CoCo, CoCoCo, So, SoSo, SoSoSo) included BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, IT, WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES, GET OUT, THE SHAPE OF WATER, THE POST, SUBURBICON, CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, WOLF WARRIOR 2, THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER, CHIPS, SALT AND FIRE, BAYWATCH, BEATRIZ AT DINNER, LEATHERFACE, MOTHER!, AN INCONVENIENT SEQUEL, ALL EYEZ ON ME, A TAXI DRIVER, ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ., GEOSTORM, MARSHALL, BATTLE OF THE SEXES, BEACH RATS, MY FRIEND DAHMER, and THELMA, among others.
Movies with strong conservative content also did extremely well in 2013 thru 2016.
** Political Content for 2016
| Content | Count | 2016 Avg. B.O. |
| Anti-Communist Content | 23 | $95,612,381 |
| Very Strong Biblical Morality* | 40 | $67,152,487 |
| Strong Pro-Capitalist Content | 12 | $65,495,640 |
| Strong Patriotic/Pro-American Movies | 30 | $59,783,785 |
| Very Strong Pro-Homosexual Content | 6 | $19,288,378 |
| Strong Politically Correct Content | 30 | $18,569,889 |
| Pro-Communist Content | 6 | $15,928,461 |
| Very Strong Pro-Atheism | 15 | $11,652,655 |
| Pro-Socialist Content | 1 | $5,879,736 |
| Strong Anti-Capitalist Content | 17 | $5,064,694 |
| Strong Anti-Patriotic/Anti-American Movies | 8 | $4,196,874 |
| Very Strong Feminism | 4 | $3,709,525 |
| Content | Count | Total 2016 B.O. | 2016 Avg. B.O. |
| All Conservative/Moral Categories | 105 | $7,464,645,462 | $71,091,862 |
| All Liberal/Leftist/Immoral Categories | 87 | $1,083,580,146 | $12,454,944 |
Note: Our political database includes a few movies containing both liberal and conservative content, which can, of course, cancel one another out. Also, not all the movies listed above were thoroughly conservative, liberal or leftist (some of the political content may be strong or overt but brief).
Movies in 2016 with some strong or very strong Pro-American, conservative, patriotic, moral, anti-totalitarian and/or capitalist content or values promoting liberty against tyranny (PP, PPP, AC, ACAC, ACACAC, BBB, CapCap, CapCapCap) included SULLY, CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, HACKSAW RIDGE, DENIAL, OPERATION CHROMITE, SING, ZOOTOPIA, ARRIVAL, HAIL, CAESAR!, THE INNOCENTS, THE PURGE: ELECTION YEAR, ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY, QUEEN OF KATWE, FORSAKEN, HILLARY’S AMERICA, BARBERSHOP: THE NEXT CUT, EQUITY, THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (2016), PO, BEN-HUR (2016), FINDING DORY, THE FINEST HOURS, HIDDEN FIGURES, THE JUNGLE BOOK (2016), RISEN, PATRIOTS DAY, TROLLS, EDDIE THE EAGLE, FREE STATE OF JONES, INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE, RACE, CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE, LONDON HAS FALLEN, FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM, and OUR KIND OF TRAITOR, among others.
Movies with some strong or very strong Anti-American, left-wing, immoral, anti-capitalist, politically correct, socialist, atheist, radical feminist, pro-homosexual, and/or pro-communist content or values supporting tyranny (APAP, APAPAP, AcapAcap, AcapAcapAcap, PCPC, PCPCPC, FeFeFe, HHH, HoHoHo, Co, CoCo, CoCoCo, So, SoSo, SoSoSo) included CAPTAIN FANTASTIC, MONEY MONSTER, THE HANDMAIDEN, BIRTH OF A NATION (2016), BILLY LYNN’S LONG HALFTIME WALK, THE PURGE: ELECTION YEAR, FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM, MISS SLOANE, NOCTURNAL ANIMALS, VIVA, DOUGH, THE FOUNDER, JACKIE, A MAN CALLED OVE, EMBRACE OF THE SPIRIT, THE MERMAID, GOLD, NERUDA, DIARY OF A CHAMBERMAID, DE PALMA, EAT THAT QUESTION, DESIERTO, WIENER DOG, HIGH-RISE, 20THCENTURY WOMEN, MOONLIGHT (2016), THE NEON DEMON, and SAUSAGE PARTY, among others.
* Regarding the category labeled “Biblical Morality,” MOVIEGUIDE® believes that the basic moral principles in both the New Testament and the Hebrew Scriptures are the same, though individual Bible-believing Jews and Christians, or individual churches, synagogues and denominations, may differ greatly (often depending on external non-biblical influences) on the issue of what moral values the Bible teaches, not only in the past, but also in the present time and in the future. The term Biblical Morality (or traditional biblical values) refers to MOVIEGUIDE®’s traditional, grammatical, literary, and historical understanding of what the Bible teaches, morally speaking.