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Family-Friendly Movies Shine at the Box Office


By Tom Snyder, Editor

So far in 2015, two of the top five movies at the box office are family movies – five of the top ten. None of the top five and only one of the top ten are R-rated.

Only one movie in 2015 has been rated G, Disney’s documentary MONKEY KINGDOM. There have been 106 movies rated R and their average box office is $12.6 million. PG movies are averaging $58.4 million.

In May, when America’s children get out of school for the summer, not one family movie was released. Two of the family movies released in June and July, however, will each make more than $300 million.

The major studios have released 11 R-rated movies this summer (May 1 thru July 24). None have made $200 million, and only two have crossed the $100 million mark.

Yet, 16 more R-rated movies have been released in 2015 than all the other ratings combined.

Movieguide®:  The Family Guide to Movies and Entertainment calls on the major Hollywood studios to make more high quality family movies. They can make more money doing so.

Consider Paramount Pictures.

Their biggest box office hit of 2015 is THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE:  SPONGE OUT OF WATER. SPONGE OUT OF WATER has brought in almost twice the income of its second place movie from Paramount, TERMINATOR GENESIS. SPONGEBOB cost $74 million to make and brought in nearly $163 million. TERMINATOR cost $155 million but has made only $86.7 million.

Consider also Sony. Sony’s highest grossing movie of 2015 is the family-friendly comedy PAUL BLART:  MALL COP 2.

Meanwhile, Universal’s animated comedy MINIONS cost $74 million but has made $275 million so far (and rising). In contrast to this, the R-rated TED 2 cost $86 million and earned only $80 million. Even the notorious FIFTY SHADES OF GREY only made $166 million for Universal.

Also, 20th Century Fox’s highest grossing movie of 2015 is still the animated family comedy HOME.

Last but not least, Disney has two family movies above $200 million, INSIDE OUT and CINDERELLA.

Given all these facts, can someone capable of using a calculator explain why the major studios (except Disney) are less interested in family movies than R-rated ones?

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.