The buzz in entertainment has been a little bleak over the past year. The Hollywood landscape looks more different than it ever has before and executives have been lamenting that people aren't going to the theaters anymore. The situation feels dire. Until recently. That downward trend appears to be turning around (slowly, but surely) and the films that have been flocking to the box office are fascinating.
I am personally noticing a trend and that trend is sex. Can sex save the box office? I have the hard data to suggest that it can.
I know that you think Mr. Skin is being cheeky here, but I guarantee you that this has statistical evidence to back it up. Polls show that nude scenes have declined in recent years with people blaming Gen Z and cultural shifts for the change. Gen Z's "nomance" movement calling for no romantic relationships (not even nude scenes, but relationships) could be moving the needle back to a Puritanical age, but it could also be Hollywood's growing interest in catering to global markets as well as shifts in how we view sex and nudity onscreen.
Whatever the reason is, the dip in nude scenes correlates with the post-pandemic dip in box office sales. Correlation is not causation, of course, but the films that have people flocking to the box office in 2024 suggest that the correlation could be the cure.
When you look at the top box office hits thus far, 2/3 films that are 100% original IP have nudity in them and strong sexual themes. Those three films are Anyone But You, Challengers, and The Beekeeper. The Beekeeper is sexless, but the other two are brimming with sexual energy in very different ways.
With Challengers still in theaters, it will likely rise to the top ten of the 2024 domestic box office which is wildly impressive considering that it has to contend with major IP films like Dune, Godzilla, and Mean Girls. It is also a mid-budget movie featuring hot rising stars with not a ton going on other than the characters playing tennis and seducing each other. That's the movie? Well, yeah, but don't underestimate how much people want to see seduction!
While leading lady - and one of the biggest stars in Hollywood right now - Zendaya does not go nude in the movie, she does wear a booty-baring thong as she hops on top of her co-star Josh O'Connor. She also makes out with both of her male co-stars and then watches as she guides them to make out with one another. The entire scene oozes sex and power. Zendaya is at her most sexually powerful in this film and that is what viewers are loving.
The hot stars are attracting a younger audience too. Gen Z IS seeing this movie in droves - perhaps finally having a long-delayed sexual awakening to this seductive volley. This scene reminded me of 90s erotic thrillers like Wild Things. How exciting to be back in the era that celebrated young rising stars like this!
And the other box office smash of the year proves that people really want to see young hot stars. That other film is Anyone But You which still sits in the top ten of domestic box office gross for 2024.
Much like Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney is one of THE hottest stars at the moment. The talented blonde bombshell also stars with Zendaya in Euphoria, so both of their films will intrinsically draw on that fan base and will expand into the rest of us who just want to ogle these gorgeous girls. Sydney proves herself to be a wonderful romantic comedy starlet, giving OGs like Julia Roberts and Meg Ryan a run for their 90s money.
She briefly bares a boob while her co-star Charlee Fraser goes topless on the beach. Sydney also looks amazing in a bikini and the opportunity to see her flaunt her stuff in swimwear cannot be passed up. This film has something for everyone!
A real trend appears to be emerging! Original IP is having success at the box office again and that success seems contingent on young hot stars and the promise of sex appeal. It's all about sex appeal and the industry is listening! My inside scoop is that industry execs are asking for more movies like these - especially romantic comedies - so we might be in store for a lot more. Movies are back and it's all thanks to sex appeal.
