The Issue with Film Ratings

-Sources for statistics are listed at the bottom of this article, enjoy.-

The Facts:

TV & Film rating outlets such as Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb use the ratings of professional critics and viewers like you and I to determine a score for films. The highest rated film currently on IMDb is Shawshank Redemption (1994). This film also holds the current IMDb highest for amount of ratings (2,064,608). Only one other film has broken the voter count of 2 million, which is The Dark Knight (2009). For the purposes of this article, I will be using the estimated adult population of the United States as the measurement for accuracy of opinionated ratings compared to individual tastes. I will only be using IMDb's statistics about ratings due to the fact that Rotten Tomatoes does not have such numbers readily available.

247,813,910 is the current estimate of adults living in the United States (Reference.com). When compared to the highest voted film on IMDb, it shows that the highest amount of people that have ever voted on a film is equal to 0.833%. Given this information, it is quite easy to believe that within the other 99.167% of the adult population, there may be quite a different consensus when it comes to films. Each person has a drastically different taste and that is what ratings do not take into account.

My Unprovoked Ranting:

If you're still reading after all of that, then you must really care. With that being said, I challenge you to change the bandwagon culture surrounding film and TV. See that obscure title that always interested you, support your local filmmakers, and most importantly, form your own opinion. You might be the one to make the difference by supporting their work. Though I am guilty of watching films due to the hype and ratings that they have received, I have seen a lot of movies that were not received particularly well critically. Some of these films have grown to become some of my personal favorites. You never know what your next favorite movie might be! Do your best to spread the word and don't be afraid to think differently. Somewhere out there, there is someone thinking the same thing and is just too afraid to say it. Ratings are not everything. Actively try to not let the opinion of less than <1% of people control which movies and shows you see.

Appreciate as many films as you can and if you like it, rate it! So many important works of art go unnoticed because they are overshadowed by the most popular film in theaters. Sure, it is great to see the box office hits to discuss with your friends but are they really always your favorite movies? Who knows? That is not for me to decide. However, personally, it is even better to be the one to introduce your friends to your opinion about the movie that they may have not seen. Money, big name actors, and advertising certainly do not always determine how you're going to feel after watching a movie. Every actor, director, and producer started somewhere, so look for the next big thing. Be proud of your opinions because they are yours, no one else's. The best way to correct the issue is to always contribute your honest and unbiased opinions about films and TV shows. Each time you do so, you are helping others discover new works of art.

Thank you for reading, now go watch a movie.

References:

“Current World Population.” Worldometers, www.worldometers.info/world-population/.

“How Many Adults Live in the USA?” Reference, IAC Publishing, www.reference.com/government-politics/many-adults-live-usa-b830ecdfb6047660.

*None of the above content is endorsed or sponsored by any entity discussed. This article is the compilation of statistical references and personal opinion.*