Is this definitive proof that critics directly influence how much a movie earns?

A recent graph published by Reddit user pnw_smalls shows a remarkable correlation between critic scores and box office earnings.

The graph compared 2016’s “tentpole releases”, their Rotten Tomato scores, and their projected domestic gross.

While “correlation does not imply causation” is an important concept in understanding scientific results, it seems that 2016’s moviegoers may have been directly influenced into watching certain movies.

Of course, there are a number of other explanations that could explain the correlation including the release of several Disney titles over the period which are typically high-earning and highly-rated.

You can check out the full graph below: