Compiled by data analyst Stephen Follows, the report delves into the trends observed among the 250 highest-grossing films annually since 2000. What emerges is a striking decrease in the depiction of erotic content, with movies released in 2023 containing just over 60% of the sexual content found in their 2000 counterparts. This decline is most pronounced within the action genre, where instances of sexual content have plummeted by approximately 70% over the same period.
Conversely, romantic films have experienced a more modest reduction, with a decrease of just under 20% in sexual content. However, what is perhaps most noteworthy is the surge in the proportion of top-grossing films devoid of any sexual content whatsoever. From comprising around 18% of films in 2000, this category has surged to encompass a staggering 46% of films in 2023. Follows identifies this shift as a key driver behind the overall reduction in sexual content, highlighting a concentrated decline in the prevalence of sex acts on screen.
The report's findings come amidst ongoing discussions surrounding explicit films such as "Poor Things" and the notorious bath scene in "Saltburn." While these movies have sparked considerable debate over their copious sexual content, the broader trend in Hollywood suggests a move away from such explicit portrayals.
Interestingly, the decline in sexual content stands in contrast to the relatively stable levels of swearing and violence depicted in films over the same period. Despite the evolving landscape of cinematic content, these other "vices" appear to have maintained their prevalence in Hollywood productions.
Several factors are proposed to explain the decline in sexual content on screen. Changes in audience preferences are cited as a primary influencer, with a growing preference for content that either eschews sexual themes entirely or handles them with greater subtlety. This shift in audience taste may stem from a variety of societal and cultural factors, reflecting evolving attitudes towards sexuality and entertainment.
Moreover, concerns about the impact of sexual content on a film's global release are highlighted as a potential deterrent for filmmakers. The prospect of more restrictive age ratings or censorship in certain markets may lead filmmakers to exercise caution when including explicit content, thereby reducing a film's potential reach and profitability.
Another significant factor contributing to the decline is the increasing influence of intimacy coordinators in the industry. These professionals, tasked with ensuring the safety and comfort of actors during intimate scenes, have seen a surge in demand in recent years. Follows' analysis indicates that the use of intimacy coordinators has risen eightfold since 2020, reflecting a growing recognition of the importance of respectful and consensual depictions of sexuality on screen.
Ultimately, the decline in sexual content in Hollywood films represents a complex interplay of factors, from shifting audience preferences to industry practices and cultural attitudes. While explicit portrayals of sexuality may have been more prevalent in the past, the current landscape suggests a nuanced approach to depicting intimate moments on screen.
As filmmakers navigate these changes, the role of intimacy coordinators and ongoing discussions surrounding the portrayal of sexuality in cinema are likely to remain central to the evolving landscape of Hollywood filmmaking. Whether this trend towards less explicit content persists or evolves in new directions remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the portrayal of sex on screen is undergoing a significant transformation.