Movies are among the best ways many people spend their time in America and beyond. A CBS poll reveals just that 84% Americans watch more movies on the small screen in their homes, while only 4% watch more on the big screen in theaters. Movies have a robust effect on audiences because the combination of music, visuals, dialogue, sound lighting, and special effects evokes deep feelings that help them experience unique emotions, depending on the genre. However, all genres aren’t equal, as evidenced by a 2018 Statista study which revealed that Americans are less likely to enjoy watching certain categories of films. Here are America’s least favourite film genres.
- Horror
It comes as little surprise to anyone that horror is America’s least favourite film genre, with only 52% of respondents to a Statista survey saying they loved it. Still, it remains the most polarizing genre since about half of Americans enjoy watching it. Many horror classics like IT (2017) and The Shining (1980) are deeply troubling, so it is easy to understand why many people choose not to watch them. One theory that could explain why so many people dislike the horror genre is that it may be pointless for somebody to experience high levels of fear despite the novelty it brings. Your brain’s amygdala stores negative emotions, which are much harder to get rid of than positive emotions.
Therefore, it isn’t unusual for people who watch horror films to experience a constant emotional downturn if something in their immediate environment reminds them of a scene. For example, some people with high levels of fear stopped swimming in oceans and even in lakes and ponds after seeing Jaws (1975). Poltergeist (1982) may additionally partially explain why 42% of Americans today fear clowns more than climate change. Nevertheless, horror classics such as The Conjuring (2013) and Ghostbusters (1984) have played a crucial role in popularizing ghost hunting, a hobby that you can explore with tools such as SB7 Spirit Box.
- Musical
Lovers of High School Musical (2006) and The Sound of Music (1965) will certainly take exception for the musical being the second least favourite film genre. However, it is easy to see why quite a lot of people aren’t happy even sitting in best musical film. Some people have complained about their lack of realism. Indeed, the musical oscillates between two fundamental ideas that are difficult to reconcile.
For starters, viewers must accept that it is normal for people to spontaneously sing and dance. Then, they’ve to suspend that belief to seriously follow whatever drama or plot unfolds when the singing and dancing stops. It can be difficult to follow the narrative with interest, only to be interrupted by some jarring choreography. However, musicals seem more acceptable in animated form, as evidenced by the big popularity of The Lion King (original 1994), Frozen (2013), and Disney’s Encanto (2021).
- Romance
Distaste for love is likely deeply rooted in personality and private experiences. Hence, you tend to hate them if you’re unlucky with love. In addition, romance storylines are largely monotonous and revolve around too many unrealistic ideas and expectations, which people may perceive as inappropriate as a result of their imperfections. Finally a lot love storyline seems to have more sudden affection than real love, partly explaining why experts such as Elyakim Kislev, Ph. D., label the genre a social problem.
