Netflix: The Term “Chick Flicks” Should Be Retired
Netflix called for the term “chick flicks” to be officially retired.
The Netflix Film Twitter account explained why they believe the term “chick flicks” as it relates to movies that appeal to women should be retired.
Quick PSA: Can we stop calling films “chick flicks” unless the films are literally about small baby chickens? Here’s why this phrase should absolutely be retired (thread):
— Netflix Film (@NetflixFilm) April 15, 2019
For those not in the know, Urban Dictionary describes Chick Flick as “a slang term for a film mainly dealing with female characters and designed to appeal to a female target audience.” They add, “Although many types of film may be directed toward the female gender, ‘chick flick’ is typically used only in reference to films that are heavy with emotion or contain themes that are relationship-based (although not necessarily romantic as many other themes may be present).”
The Twitter account would go on to explain why this term should be retired.
For starters, “chick flicks” are traditionally synonymous with romantic comedies. This suggests that women are the only people interested in 1. Romance 2. Comedy. Which I can promise from the men I’ve come across in my life – simply isn’t true.
— Netflix Film (@NetflixFilm) April 15, 2019
They would go on to point out what they see as double standard when it comes to movies focused towards men.
There aren’t sweeping categories specific to men. You don’t hear people asking to watch “man movies” – instead, pretty much every intersection of genre is on the table and seen as for men, except of course, the aforementioned rom-coms.
— Netflix Film (@NetflixFilm) April 15, 2019
Interestingly enough, if you search “Man Movies” on Google you get a number of listicles counting down the best movies for men or guys from Esquire, IMDB, and more.
Not to be deterred from their explanation, Netflix Film continued indicating that calling a film a “chick flick” somehow takes away from the work that goes into the film.
The term also cheapens the work that goes into making these types of films. Romantic comedies and/or films centered around female leads go through just as much editing, consideration, and rewriting as any other film.
— Netflix Film (@NetflixFilm) April 15, 2019
They continued stating that “nicknaming films ‘chick flicks’ drives home that there’s something trivial about watching them.”
And nicknaming films “chick flicks” drives home that there’s something trivial about watching them. But what’s trivial about watching a film that makes you feel 1,000 emotions in ~90 minutes?
— Netflix Film (@NetflixFilm) April 15, 2019
Overall, there’s nothing inherently gendered about liking a light-hearted film with a strong female lead and emotional arc. So next time you call something a “chick flick,” you better be referring to Chicken Run.
— Netflix Film (@NetflixFilm) April 15, 2019
A number of people promptly pushed back on Netflix and their call to “retire” the term “chick flicks.”
Love you Netflix but maybe we want to own the label. Maybe it empowers us to own it. Like @PLLTVSeries took back the word “bitch”.
— I. Marlene King (@imarleneking) April 16, 2019
How woke do you have to be? You hire only liberals and now you are preaching? Do you want us as customers or not? We do not care about your politics and your desire to eliminate masculinity.
— Carmine Sabia (@CarmineSabia) April 15, 2019
As a woman, I encourage and condone the use of “chick flicks”. Please ignore this attention starved drama queen running Netflix social media.
— Megan Bess (@csgodevil) April 16, 2019
Even Netflix is trying to promote the lie that there are no differences between men’s and women’s tastes.
Stop it.— Jellyand Sandlich (@sandlich) April 16, 2019
No one asked for your opinion, brand account manager. You’re doing more damage to Netflix than anything else.
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) April 15, 2019
Whatever SJW runs the Netflix twitter account needs to be fired.
Stuff like this and your terrible selection of films/TV is the reason your stocks are plummeting. All hail Amazon and Hulu.
— Ashley StClair 🇺🇸 (@stclairashley) April 15, 2019
You may want to focus on revenues so you can quit bouncing my fees up almost monthly. Maybe find a few good chic flicks to add to the lineup.
— Randy Hollingsworth (@impactfulforgod) April 15, 2019
Fine you’ve convinced me, from now all chick flicks will be known as clam jams.
— Jay Roberto (@jrobhaha) April 15, 2019
This isn’t the first time the Netflix Film Twitter account has found itself in the middle of controversy. The account was accused of participating in targeted harassment after Twitter user Joe Gil criticized Netflix’s The Unicorn Store movie directed by Brie Larson. Gil described the film as “bleh” and detailed that he saw the film as “just riding Captain Marvel’s wave.” For his meek criticism, Netflix decided to respond him with a list of Brie Larson’s film credits.
What do you make of Netflix’s call to retire the term chick flicks? Do you think the term should be retired?
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