No matter who you are or how old you are, anyone and everyone can name their favorite classic movie, but does your choice match the thoughts of the rest of New Jersey? Or maybe you weren’t born here, does your fave align with those from your home state?
From Breakfast at Tiffany’s to It’s a Wonderful Life, the folks at Coventry Direct set out to explore many classic films. The study is based on Google Trends data from searches conducted between February 10, 2021, and February 10, 2022, and it determined the most popular classic movie in every state. They compiled a meticulously formed list of over 50 of the best classics, then the analysis began.
Here’s what they found:
The Godfather
(Original Caption) While his daughter’s wedding celebration proceeds outside, Don Corleone, played by Marlon Brando (right), discusses “family” business with his consigliori, Tom Hagen, played by Robert Duvall, in the The Godfather, an Albert S. Ruddy Production in Color by Technicolor. Undated. UPI photograph.
The most popular classic movie in New Jersey is the Francis Ford Coppola directed film starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino: The Godfather.
Wizard, Wind and West Side
American actors (left – right) Ray Bolger (1904 – 1987), Jack Haley (1898 – 1979), Judy Garland (1922 -1969), and Bert Lahr (1865 – 1967) run arm in arm through a field of poppies in a still from the film, ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ directed by Victor Fleming, 1939. (Photo by MGM Studios/Courtesy of Getty Images)
Musicals were hits throughout the country. Gone With the Wind and The Wizard of Oz tied for the #1 spot, winning 7 states each. West Side Story also won in 3 states.
The popularity of classic movies has strong regional ties. The Wizard of Oz was the most popular classic movie in the midwest, while The Godfather was the overall winner in the northeast. Gone With the Wind ranked as the #1 most popular movie in the South.
Mary, Men and An American
Mary Poppins, lobbycard, Dick Van Dyke, Karen Dotrice, Matthew Garber, Julie Andrews, 1964. (Photo by LMPC via Getty Images)
Connecticut prefers An American in Paris, 12 Angry Men won out in New Hampshire, Mary Poppins leads in Utah, and Californians love Sunset Boulevard.
For the full results and breakdowns go HERE.