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BY ZACH TOOMBS

You're watching multisource politics video news analysis from Newsy. 

When actor Morgan Freeman called the Tea Party a “racist” movement the same day his newest film, Dolphin Tale, opened, he faced a wave of backlash. And it came not just from conservative cable news hosts, but also, apparently, at the box office. According to The Hollywood Reporter:

“The timing wasn't ideal, considering Dolphin Tale had opened that day and the film was tracking particularly well among conservatives, many of whom the star had suddenly maligned... After the remarks, 34 percent of the conservatives who were aware of them, and 37 percent of Tea Partiers, said they were less likely to see the film -- but 42 percent of liberals said they were more likely.”

This phenomenon, an actor’s or actress’s political beliefs affecting their film’s box office haul, is examined in a new survey conducted for The Hollywood Reporter. It says party politics play a big role in influencing moviegoers to see or skip a new film.

Janice Min, the editorial director of The Hollywood Reporter, discussed the survey with MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell last week.

“Well, the shocking thing to me was just how much -- I think it’s a result of the political discourse in the country. It is so highly charged. When you combine that with the Internet and social networking, a message about a star, whether it’s good or bad, Republican or Democrat, gets out fast. And you’re seeing right now an immediate impact on the box office.

Fox News’ Red Eye has the exact numbers on just how many members of each party, out of the 1,000-person survey, let politics influence their ticket buying.

“Does living in a Red State relate to the films you hate? Well, according to a new poll conducted by The Hollywood Reporter, your politics affects your taste in flicks, especially if you’re conservative. Yep, the survey found that 35 percent of Republicans, and 45 percent of Tea Partiers consider a celebrity’s political position before paying to see their films, compared with 20 percent of Democrats.”

Another finding in the poll shows an actual hierarchy of actors and actresses ticket buyers on either side of the political spectrum often avoid.

“Stars Democrats are likely to avoid: Mel Gibson, 36 percent. Schwarzenagger, 30 percent say ‘that’s gonna turn me away.’ Tom Cruise, 27 percent. Kelsey Grammar, 14. Jon Voight... Republicans, big surprise, like to avoid Michael Moore. 60 percent of Republicans like to avoid Michael Moore. But Michael’s movies are political. It’s a different thing. You could like Michael but avoid his movie...”

The survey also found that Republicans and Democrats, generally, prefer different types of films altogether. The Telegraph writes:

“Perhaps the poll’s most interesting finding is how the culture war is reflected in dramatically different tastes. Democrats love issues movies (Social Network) and naughty comedies (Bad Teacher). Republicans prefer fantasy films like Thor and Pirates of the Caribbean. Paradoxically, Republicans love Jason Bourne but dislike Matt Damon.”

If there was some common ground for Republican and Democratic moviegoers in the survey, it was a bit of disdain for Michael Moore’s films. Predictably, 60 percent of Republicans said they avoided the filmmaker. But 21 percent of Democrats said the same.


Transcript by Newsy.