Study Shows Significant Decline in Explicit Sexual Content in Hollywood Films Over Past Two Decades

A research by data researcher Stephen Follows has found a notable decrease in explicit sexual content in top-grossing Hollywood movies since 2000, with a nearly 40% drop. The study highlights a cultural shift towards cleaner content among audiences and contrasts the prevalence of other mature themes like violence and substance abuse.

A study by data researcher Stephen Follows has shown a significant decline in explicit sexual content in Hollywood films over the past two decades. Tracking the 250 highest-grossing U.S. movies annually since 2000, the research utilized databases like IMDb and the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC).

Key findings reveal that sexual content in films has dropped by almost 40% since 2000, with nearly half of the films released last year featuring no sexual content. In contrast, explicit scenes in 2000 comprised less than a fifth of the movies. The steepest decline occurred in thriller and action genres, with a 70% reduction. Meanwhile, scenes involving drinking, drugs, violence, or foul language have remained prevalent compared to sexual content.

Despite this trend, some of Hollywood's best-known films from previous decades are famous for their graphic sex scenes. Notable examples include "Basic Instinct" (1992) featuring Sharon Stone, "Cruel Intentions" (1999) with Sarah Michelle Gellar and Reese Witherspoon, and "Don't Look Now" (1973) starring Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie. These films contained explicit and often controversial scenes that contributed to their lasting recognition.

Recent years have seen a cultural shift with audiences favoring 'squeaky clean' content over the erotic elements that once characterized numerous award-winning films.