In a recent survey conducted by CivicScience, 3,021 U.S. users shared their preferences for tragic films, revealing intriguing distinctions between those who enjoy them and those who do not. The survey, carried out from April 11 to April 14, 2025, highlights how factors such as age, income, and urbanicity influence these preferences.
Overall, 18% of respondents expressed a liking for tragic films, while 32% disliked them. The remaining 50% indicated that their enjoyment reports that ‘it depends on the execution of the film.’ This split in preferences underscores the nuanced nature of audience tastes when it comes to emotionally heavy narratives.
Age plays a significant role in shaping these preferences. Younger respondents, particularly those aged 18 to 24, showed a higher inclination towards tragic films, with 16% expressing a liking. In contrast, older respondents, especially those aged 65 and above, were more likely to dislike tragic films, with 24% expressing disapproval. This suggests that younger audiences may be more open to exploring complex emotional themes, while older viewers might prefer lighter content.
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Income levels also reveal distinct patterns. Individuals with lower incomes, specifically those earning between $0 and $29,999, were more likely to enjoy tragic films, with 26% expressing a liking. Conversely, higher income brackets, particularly those earning $200,000 or more, showed less interest in tragic films. This could indicate that financial constraints might influence the type of entertainment people seek, with lower-income individuals perhaps finding solace or relatability in tragic narratives.
Urbanicity further differentiates preferences. City dwellers exhibited a higher preference for tragic films, with 34% expressing a liking, compared to suburban residents, who were more likely to dislike them, with 47% expressing disapproval. This urban-suburban divide suggests that city residents might be more exposed to diverse cultural experiences, making them more receptive to tragic storytelling.
Gender differences were relatively minor, with an even split among those who liked tragic films—50% male and 50% female. However, a slight female majority, 53%, disliked tragic films. This indicates that gender may not be a significant factor in determining preferences for tragic films, although women showed a marginally higher tendency to avoid them.
Parental status also offers insights into preferences. Parents and non-parents equally liked tragic films, with 41% each expressing a liking. However, grandparents were more likely to dislike them, with 31% expressing disapproval. This suggests that life experiences and responsibilities might influence one’s openness to tragic narratives.
These findings provide a snapshot of how various demographic factors influence preferences for tragic films. While age, income, and urbanicity emerge as significant determinants, gender and parental status play a more nuanced role. Understanding these distinctions can help filmmakers and marketers tailor their content to resonate with specific audiences.
This article’s data comes solely from CivicScience’s database, which contains nearly 700,000 poll questions and 5 billion consumer insights. Our AI content creation tool, DataScribe, supported the article.
