Observational study reveals higher box office revenue for movies reflecting local folklore, indicating that modern entertainment reinforces cultural identity.
Why are certain movies more successful in some markets than others? Are the entertainment products we consume reflective of our core beliefs? To answer these questions, we analyze international movie data and local tales using machine learning to measure a plot’s similarity to traditional motifs. Globally, films mirroring local folklore get wider screenings and earn more. Across US markets, movies matching ancestral stories attract more interest. Finally, films endorsing risk-taking, vengeance-seeking, and traditional gender roles outperform across markets holding similar historical and contemporary norms. Choosing to watch modern adaptations of stories passed down from our ancestors on the big screen reinforces cultural identity.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Michalopoulos et al. (2026) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: