March 12, 2004 Passion Viewers Passionate About the Movie Three in four Americans have seen or expect to see it
by David W. Moore
GALLUP NEWS SERVICE
PRINCETON, NJ -- If the latest Gallup Poll is any indication, Mel Gibson's movie, The Passion of the Christ, is likely to be among the highest grossing films of all time, perhaps even competing with Titanic for the title. As of last weekend, the movie had grossed more than $200 million, with -- according to the poll -- 11% of all Americans saying they had already seen it. Another 34% of Americans say they expect to see the movie in a theater, and 31% expect to see it when it comes out on DVD or VHS. Titanic grossed about $600 million in the United States and Canada, and about $1 billion worldwide.
Two characteristics are highly related to people's plans to see the movie. The older people are, the less likely they are to see the movie at all and in a movie theater. Also, people who attend church at least monthly are more likely to see the movie than are people who seldom or never attend.
One interesting note: People who attend religious service weekly are no more likely to see the movie in the long run than are people who attend monthly -- but the more frequent churchgoers are more likely to have already seen the movie.
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