Movies have a big impact on our feelings, thoughts, and actions, and this impact can be both good and bad.

On the positive side, movies often tell stories about hope and success. Films like “The Karate Kid” and “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” show characters working hard to reach their goals, often inspiring viewers. Animated movies like “Inside Out” help us understand and handle our emotions, while documentaries like “Hidden Figures” teach us about important events and promote empathy.

However, movies can also have negative effects. Watching violent films like “The Dark Knight” may make us less sensitive to real-world violence. Romantic movies like “Titanic” might set unrealistic expectations about love, and horror films like “The Conjuring” can cause fear and anxiety, especially in younger viewers.

Different movie genres affect us in different ways. Action movies like “Avengers” are exciting but can glorify violence. Romance films like “The Fault in Our Stars” evoke strong feelings but might give unrealistic views of love. Comedies like “Superbad” help us relax but can rely on stereotypes, while dramas like “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” tackle deep issues and encourage empathy, though they can be intense. Animated movies like “Inside Out 2” often teach valuable lessons and inspire us.

Neurocinematics, the study of how movies affect the brain, shows that films can make our brain activity sync up during exciting scenes, showing how powerful the effects movies have on our thoughts and feelings are. Overall, research shows that films could actually raise a wide range of emotions, from joy to fear, with sad dramas bringing tears and thrillers causing tension and anxiety. As a result, movies have the power to influence our decisions and behaviors. 

The views in the editorials do not necessarily represents the views of Wayne Public Schools.