Study: Most top box office movies show characters acting violently

People watching a movie in a theatre.
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KYW Newsradio’s Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross. 

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — According to a new study in the journal Pediatrics which looked at top box office movies, nearly nine out of 10 movies showed main characters acting violently. 

Almost eight out of 10 showed characters engaging in sex, alcohol, or tobacco-related behavior. 

You might be thinking that these movies were rated for older audiences, but there was essentially no difference between the most popular PG-13 and R-rated movies in showing main characters involved in violence, alcohol use, or sexual behavior. 

The study didn't even look at the movies that many of us can access from online services.