Are Chick Flicks Taking Off Because Guys Are Too Busy Playing Video Games?
If the box office performance of Valentine’s Day is any indication, it seems a safe bet that there will be a lot more chick flicks getting greenlit in the near future. Although Hollywood has often been called a boy’s club, with the majority of blockbusters all catering to a young male demographic, over the past few years studios have been learning that women can bring in just as much money as the men. Take the Twilight franchise, for instance, the Sex and the City movie, or even the surprise dethroning of Avatar by Dear John. Is it that more women are going to see movies as of late? Or could it be that men are also not going to the movies as much as they used to?
According to The Telegraph, there’s a belief around Hollywood right now that men are becoming a much harder demographic to draw in as a result of the so-called “Xbox Factor”. Apparently dudes are spending a lot more time and money on “the internet, games and UFC” among other things. This isn’t the first time we’ve heard studios trying to blame their lack of attendance on video games. Back in 2007, Dreamworks and Paramount insisted that the failure of The Heartbreak Kid was due to the release of Halo 3. I don’t know if I completely buy this excuse. I definitely think that Hollywood has underestimated and had trouble marketing to women over the years, but I also think guys have always had plenty of distractions. UFC may be gaining popularity right now, but sports in general have been around forever. What do you think about this theory? Do you often find yourself choosing video games over movies? How do you explain the massive success of these recent chick flicks?
Comments (9)
When Iron Man 2 comes out, all the men they “lost” will come flocking back. I personally enjoy streaming from Netflix on my PS3 far more than sitting in a crowd of people who find their cell phones more engaging than the movie itself.
Posted by Jonathan Sullivan on February 24th, 2010I think men are watching just as many movies as they always have, they’re just doing it in different ways, and maybe not going to the theater as much. I also think you nailed it Sean. Chick flicks are making money because they’re being marketed better. I think the casting of these movies has also gotten better, which goes hand in hand with better marketing.
Posted by Nate on February 24th, 2010its interesting, you could say men are more app. to getting their film content in new ways like netflix, but at the same time I think there are more avenues catering to womens social needs (spas, yoga classes, book clubs, etc.)
I know a lot of guys that were dragged to Valentines Day, then told me it was funny?! Could be word of mouth. I also think these films have been put together in a more complete way. Sort of how Hollywood has figured out how to put a layer of adult humor in to kids movies for the parents trapped in a screening with their kids. (think of the subconscious damage that is doing to kids) Hollywood has found ways to put some guy humor in chick flicks like Knocked Up.
Posted by rus in chicago on February 24th, 2010I bet these same articles come round every time there’s a few successful chick-flicks in the same way there were articles about the ‘rise of violence towards women in film’ when Grindhouse and Captivity shared the same marketing time period. It’s more of a hook than anything and it was obvious that the success of Twilight made people realise there was an untapped market out there, but hasn’t there always a fairly regular stream of chick-flicks?
If there had been a few really high grossing action films over the last few months you’d probably see the same article replacing men with women and videogames with something stupid like shopping.
The comments in that article about women craving better female characters being a possible reason is a bit daft too. Especially considering Inglourious Basterds had one of the best lead female characters I’ve ever seen and most chick-flicks portray women pretty poorly.
Also there was the success of 500 Days of Summer last year which is essentially a romantic comedy which is loved by men as well as women. Knocked Up is also fundamentally a romantic comedy and I know as many women who went to see Avatar as men…
This seems to be yet another thinly veiled ‘we still can’t believe the success of Twilight’ story.
Posted by Charlotte on February 24th, 2010I play some QuakeLive, Left4Dead 2, Street Fighter4(360), and Starcraft2 beta regularly. All the while I’d have a netflix/dvd on the tv while playing.
I, in general, hate chick flicks, but there is an large demographic for them. I did watch 500 days of summer last year though and liked it quite a bit, so I guess it depends on the actors and story.
Posted by Primal on February 24th, 2010You know how I know you’re gay? You went to see Valentine’s Day on Valentine’s Day.
Posted by Brendan on February 24th, 2010Sorry, couldn’t help but think about that scene from the photo.
Anything that makes my girlfriend leave me alone while I play games is gold in my book!
seriously though, I’m lucky enough to be with a woman who hates these movies as much as I do. Valentine’s Day for us involved Thai food, Mad Men, booze, and doin’ it.
Posted by Fatbologna on February 24th, 2010I thin it’s a combination of smaller DVD windows, poor marketing but most importantly the recession. Millions of guys are out of work, more than girls I think, and so one of the things they cut back on is moviegoing.
Also, don’t forget the continued rise in torrenting. More guys do this than girls.
Posted by Bluelouboyle on February 25th, 2010Let’s be honest. The only reason Valentines Day made any money. Because, woman dragged there men to the theaters. For the celebration of a fake holiday. The men were there to get what they wanted. Which was to get laid that night. That’s it!
Posted by Hugo Van Nor on February 25th, 2010Leave a Reply