In a recent statement, former President Donald Trump claimed that the United States used to make “100% of the world’s movies,” and now produces “very little.” While such remarks are attention-grabbing, they don't stand up to scrutiny. In this subject, we break down the facts behind the U.S. film industry's global influence—past and present—and expose the inaccuracies in Trump’s statement.
Let’s be clear: the United States has never produced 100% of the world’s films. While Hollywood has dominated global box offices and popular culture for decades, countries like India, France, Japan, Italy, China, and the UK have had vibrant, influential film industries since the early 20th century. Bollywood alone produces more films per year than Hollywood, and has done so for decades.
Claiming the U.S. made “100%” of the world’s films is not only factually incorrect—it erases the rich and diverse history of global cinema.
Contrary to Trump’s claim that America now makes “very little,” the U.S. remains a global powerhouse in filmmaking. In 2023, the U.S. film industry generated billions in box office revenue worldwide. American studios like Disney, Warner Bros., and Universal continue to produce top-grossing blockbusters, from Marvel and DC franchises to Oscar-winning dramas.
While foreign markets have grown, Hollywood remains the single most influential and profitable film industry in the world.
The globalization of film production should not be seen as a decline in American output, but rather as a natural evolution of a more connected world. Countries like South Korea and Nigeria (home to Nollywood) are producing internationally acclaimed films. This isn’t a sign that America is failing—it’s evidence that other voices are finally being heard.
The rise of international cinema complements—not competes with—American film. Global collaboration and competition push the entire industry forward.
Much of the shift in film production and consumption has to do with technology, not a supposed decline in American influence. Streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV are American companies that are producing and distributing content globally. In fact, many foreign-language hits (like Squid Game or Money Heist) reached global audiences thanks to American platforms.
If anything, U.S. companies are now the gatekeepers of international content distribution.
Claims like Trump’s reinforce a narrow, nationalist perspective that undervalues the global nature of art and entertainment. By suggesting that the U.S. should “go back” to dominating film production, the statement dismisses the contributions of non-American filmmakers and cultures.
Cinema is a powerful tool for storytelling—and that power is enriched, not diminished, by global participation.
No, the U.S. never made 100% of the world’s movies, and no, it is not now making “very little.” Trump’s claim is historically inaccurate, factually misleading, and culturally dismissive. The U.S. film industry continues to thrive in a diversified, global media landscape. Instead of longing for a fictional past, we should celebrate a future where storytelling is shared across borders.
