Using Statistical Methods to Analyze the Impact of Economic Recession on the Film Industry in China and the United States

This paper investigates the impact of macroeconomic factors on the film industries of China and the United States from 2010 to 2024. The study explores how box-office revenues adjust to GDP growth and unemployment changes in the context of globalization, digital transformation, and recurring economic shocks, particularly the 20192020 global recession. The research applies harmonized annual data together with transparent descriptive methods to detect essential patterns in film industry performance throughout time. The analysis yields three major findings. First, cinema earnings show direct correlation with general economic conditions particularly during periods of unemployment increases. Second, the 20192020 economic downturn reduced average annual earnings by approximately one quarter in China and one-third in the United States. Third, the Chinese market experienced the same level of damage in 2020 but recovered at a faster pace because of supportive policies and market structure, which reduced long-term economic shock impacts. The research joins multiple studies which investigate how economic changes affect cultural consumption patterns and industry stability. Its findings demonstrates how cultural industries remain sensitive to economic conditions while showing that strategic planning and policy development play essential roles in achieving recovery and sustaining long-term growth.