Fifty Shades of Grey had record-breaking ticket sales, and according to Fandango, ticket sales were highest in what’s known as the “Bible Belt.”
According to Fortune, the steamy film brought in $85 million it’s opening weekend, and it is Fandango’s fastest-selling R-rated movie in its entire history.
“A lot of people reading the book were women,” pastor at Belmont Heights John Garner said. “And that’s very sad to me because this whole movie is about dominance and making women way less than they should be.”
Garner suggests that the reason for the high sales in the “Bible Belt” may be tied to church life.
“Here in the South, you have some repressed sexuality, and here’s an opportunity to explore new things and that kind of stuff,” Garner said.
Some Lipscomb students have avoided seeing the movie or reading the books altogether.
“I know a lot more people that kind of took a stand against it and did not go see the movie because of its content, because of the message it sent,” junior Cole Meador said. “I was not interested in going to go see it at all.”
One pastor argues that the movie choices people make reveal what they support.
“I would say to anyone thinking about watching: number one, any movie I watch or you watch, we’re saying almost we approve of this and here’s our money so you can make another one,” pastor at Judson Baptist Mike James said. “So as a believer – when we spend our money in theaters – we’re actually endorsing the theme and the values of that movie.”
While it may have been a hit in its opening days, ticket sales for Fifty Shades dropped 73 percent its second week. Some, like Pastor James, hope this trend will continue.