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How much influence do movie posters have on a person's decision to see a movie?

Diallo Lightfoot

Well well well, the million dollar question! How much do movie posters really influence a person's decision to watch a movie?

Let's start by acknowledging that movie posters are an art form in themselves. They are supposed to capture your attention, convey the mood of the film and entice you to watch it. But do they really succeed in doing that?

Personally, I have fallen prey to the charms of a well-made movie poster. I mean, who can resist the sultry gaze of Ryan Gosling on the poster of Crazy, Stupid, Love? Or the ominous black and white image of a crouching Batman on The Dark Knight poster?

But does that mean I would watch any movie just because of its poster? No way, José! I mean, have you seen some of the terrible posters out there? I once saw a poster of a movie featuring a badly photoshopped giant octopus attacking a city. Needless to say, I didn't go near that movie with a ten foot pole.

So, in my opinion, movie posters can definitely grab your attention and make you curious about a movie. But it's the actual content of the movie that makes or breaks it for the viewer.

However, there are some people out there who are easily swayed by a pretty picture. Let's call them the gullible ones. They will watch any movie that has a glossy, eye-catching poster, regardless of the plot or the actors in it. These are the same people who buy a product just because it has a flashy commercial.

On the other hand, there are those who are the opposite of gullible. Let's call them the skeptical ones. They will watch a movie only after reading reviews and hearing about it from their friends. They couldn't care less about the poster, because they know that advertising can be deceiving.

Then there are those who lie somewhere in between. They may be attracted to a movie because of its poster, but they will still do their research before buying a ticket.

Overall, I would say that movie posters can definitely have an influence on a person's decision to watch a movie. But it's not the only factor. At the end of the day, it's up to the individual viewer to decide whether they want to watch a movie based on the poster, the trailer, the reviews or just a gut feeling.

So, next time you see a movie poster that catches your eye, go ahead and give the movie a chance. But don't blame the poster if it turns out to be a dud. And if you're like me and can't resist a well-made poster, just remember to read up on the movie beforehand. Happy watching!