However, I’m not sure why you think the number of family pictures on the list is odd, nor would I consider most of the films on the list “family.” Certainly, children might enjoy the Star Wars or Pirates of the Carribean films, but that hardly makes them “family films.” They are simply films with mass appeal. Mass appeal = massive ticket sales = inclusion on this list. “Edgy” films make some people uncomfortable. “Mature” films exclude a large portion of potential moviegoers, including people who don’t want to take their families to see them, as well as those who prefer their entertainment to be more light-hearted. Or as Homer would say (this is a post about the Simpsons), “Less artsy, more fartsy.”

As for movie ratings, the factors that drive movies into “R” ratings tend to be things like sex, violence, and language. While I understand that films which carry the “R” rating are intended for more mature (read “older”) audiences, I fail to see how an increase in the level of violence, sexuality or foul language in a movie is a hallmark of intelligence in its audience.

Box office receipt records are utterly meaningless.