Sex And Nudity In Movies Have Declined By Nearly 40%
Less than 20% of films had no sex or nudity in 2000. By 2023, this figure has nearly doubled, reaching just under 50%.
Are we entering our puritanical era? Or is Hollywood finally realizing that most sex scenes just aren't necessary?
The latest study published by The Economist discovered that the number of sex scenes in Hollywood films has sharply declined to almost 40%. Stephen Follows, the researcher and film data analyst, focused on the 250 top-grossing U.S. films each year since 2000, ranking them on a scale of "none" to "severe" regarding the prevalence of sex and nudity.
Another breakdown shows that the statistic is directly connected to the level of sexual content in major film releases, rather than studios intentionally reducing nudity and opting for more suggestive content. However, while there are fewer sex scenes overall, the study noted that the latest sex scenes in movies tend to be more graphic than previously (looking at you, Saltburn).
The decline in raunchy scenes may be due to the rise in intimacy coordinators, who ensure the safety and consent of actors participating in sexual scenes. Another possible reason for the decline is the accessibility of pornography on the internet. Directors may feel less pressure to include similar content to excite or arouse viewers since they can easily find it elsewhere online. "Their presence could be discouraging gratuitous sex scenes unless they serve a critical narrative purpose," Follows wrote.
With the success of sexless films like Barbie and Dune, it's evident that intimate scenes aren't always necessary. And if they are needed for the plot, they don't have to be distasteful. Another theory I have for the decrease is that maybe more actors and actresses are asking to not participate in those scenes, and their requests are being granted. Zendaya, despite being a star of the hypersexualized Euphoria, has never been topless or featured in a sex scene in the nude. You's Penn Badgley also asked to opt out of saucy scenes for personal reasons.
Even the audience is over gratuitous sex scenes. A 2023 finding out of the Center for Scholars and Storytellers (CSS) at UCLA revealed that nearly half of Gen Z viewers want less sex on screen.
Overall, I believe the decline in sex scenes could also be due to Hollywood finally prioritizing consent. Thanks to increased awareness of the abuse that would often occur behind the scenes, there has been a greater focus on respecting actors' boundaries and choices.
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