Why isn't it a fair representation? Most of them are from since the rating system was devised. ET, Star Wars, Titanic...
And I don't know. What ARE the top grossing films of the last 5 years?
I just looked at some things.
I don't remember Bruce Almighty's rating, but I don't think it was (R). If it's not, than only ONE of this years top 5 was rated R, and only half of the top 10.
If I remember ratings right, not a single movie of the top 10 grossing films in 2002 OR 2001 was rated R
Only 3 of the top 10 in 2000 was rated R (only 1 in the top 5)
In 1999, only 2 were rated R (again, only 1 in the top 5)
If you look at the top grossing of all time the first rated R movie you'll find is Beverly Hills Cop (at #34). The second rated R movie is at 42, Saving Private Ryan.
I think both are fair comparisons, considering that Beverly Hills Cop outperformed X2.
So, do R movies make more money? Doesn't look like it.
I got my numbers from IMDB.
I think that it's a myth that movies go for an R rating. I've heard it before, but I've never seen real evidence for it. If they do, it's because they're just like the music industry and aren't looking at the real numbers.