Study of Top Movies in 2006 Shows Moviegoers Prefer Morally Uplifting Movies

"...not only were none of the Top 10 movies in 2006 rated R, we found that only two of those movies are completely unacceptable viewing for families with traditional moral values...."

Dr. Ted Baehr (Feb. 19th, 2007)

An annual study of the Top 10 and Top 25 movies at the box office, as determined by Nielsen EDI, reveals that moviegoers prefer family-friendly movies with traditional values reflecting Judeo-Christian worldviews.

"Family friendly movies with strong moral messages are more likely to please moviegoers," said Dr. Ted Baehr, chairman and founder of the Christian Film & Television Commission which sponsored the study of the top movies.

For example, none, or 90 percent, of the Top 10 Movies had strong or very strong moral, Biblical or even Christian content. Furthermore, none of the Top 10 movies, and only three of the Top 25, were rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA).

"We don't just look at the MPAA ratings, however," Baehr said. "We also examine the sexual content and kinds of values presented in the top movies, as well as the amount of nudity and foul language. Thus, not only were none of the Top 10 movies in 2006 rated R, we found that only two of those movies are completely unacceptable viewing for families with traditional moral values, especially people with a Biblical faith in God or Jesus Christ."

Baehr's group rated 80 percent of the Top 10 as acceptable for either older teenagers and adults or families with younger children. It rated 19 of the Top 25, or 76 percent, in that category, sometimes with a caution for children age 2-7, a caution for children age 8-13, or an extreme caution for older teenagers and adults.

The Commission's comprehensive analysis of the content in Top 10 and Top 25 movies includes more than 100 separate major findings. Dr. Baehr will give a presentation of the highlights of his Annual Report to the Entertainment Industry to top decision-makers and celebrities in Hollywood at the 15th Annual Movieguide® Faith & Values Awards Gala, to be held Tuesday night at the glamorous Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.

Source: ASSIST News Service