If movies were unpopular all over the world, it would not be a very successful industry. Further, if movies were unpopular in the United States, it would not be a very successful industry either. Therefore, it is logical to conclude that movies are wildly popular all over the world.

The popularity of movies is evident to anyone who has ventured out to a movie theater recently. In cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, theaters are crowded at all hours of the day and night. Additionally, movie tickets are expensive, and people are willing to stand in long lines to purchase them. Moviegoers know they may not be seeing the best movie, but they will wait in long lines just to experience this entertainment.

The popularity of movies can also be seen in the revenue generated by the film industry. In 2005, the box office receipts in the United States amounted to $13 billion. Other countries like France, the United Kingdom, and China also made significant income from box office sales. However, some countries do not apparently find movies appealing. In 2006, for example, DVD sales accounted for 95% of all movie sales in China. This demonstrates that the viewing habits of moviegoers vary from country to country.

Moviemakers need to determine which countries will be receptive to their movies. This is especially true for animated films. Most animated films, such as Disney’s The Lion King, are targeted toward children. However, The Lion King was not a success in China. Instead, it was the animated film Mulan that proved most popular there. Disney learned this lesson and targeted Mulan for a Chinese release. In addition, every film produced in China must contain a “Chinese” character or story element in order to appeal to Chinese viewers. Since 2008, the box office receipts in China have increased 400%, leading to incredible business for Hollywood.

The popularity of movies also depends on the subject the film revolves around. For instance, comedies, action flicks, and romantic films appeal to different audiences. Because different audiences are attracted to different types of movies, the film industry must be very careful in deciding which types of movies to produce and market. A failure to do this could result in a flop, as in the case of the 1999 film Armageddon. The film’s producers thought that a movie about the end of the world would be a hit, but the movie only grossed $13 million at the box office, and it cost $170 million to produce. This failure led Hollywood producers to come up with a new strategy: they now produce films with a variety of genres and cast. This strategy has worked wonders for the film industry, as evidenced by the success of films such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Transformers, and Harry Potter.

Although movies are wildly popular all over the world, they are not always successful. This is the case in the United States. In 2006, only 11% of American households owned a television set, making it more difficult for American movie producers to reach a mass audience. Additionally, American movie producers often rely on foreign film stars to attract viewers. The producers are aware that American viewers would not recognize these foreign film stars, so they frame their stories with American characters. American movie viewers do not understand the story, and they leave the theater disappointed. Hollywood producers must overcome these obstacles if they wish to be successful.