1. Hollywood Blockbusters
Canada has some amazing actors, directors, and even scenic backdrops used in big films—but Hollywood is still the global epicenter of movie magic. The U.S. cranks out hundreds of blockbuster films a year and regularly dominates the global box office. In 2023, American productions like Barbie and Oppenheimer raked in billions worldwide, according to Emily Olson from NPR. While Canada has its fair share of indie gems, it just doesn’t produce franchises like Marvel or Star Wars.
Many Canadian cities actually pretend to be American in films—Vancouver often stands in for New York or Seattle. That’s kind of flattering, but also a little telling. Hollywood isn’t just a place; it’s a cultural export machine. When it comes to sheer movie muscle, the U.S. wins the popcorn war.
2. Space Achievements
Canada has the iconic Canadarm, and we love that for them—but let’s be honest, NASA is in another orbit. The U.S. landed a man on the Moon in 1969 and is leading the charge back there with the Artemis program, according to Josh Dinner from Space. Canada’s space agency is smaller and contributes mostly through partnerships and robotics, which are important but lower profile. American astronauts are household names; Canadian ones, less so—unless you’re Chris Hadfield.
NASA’s budget in 2024 was around $25 billion, compared to the Canadian Space Agency’s $500 million. That’s a cosmic difference. While Canada is the friendly teammate handing over the wrench, the U.S. is still piloting the rocket. Outer space? Advantage: U.S.A.
3. The Super Bowl vs. The Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is a proud Canadian tradition, but let’s be real—when it comes to spectacle, the Super Bowl has it beat. It’s not just about football; it’s about Beyoncé at halftime, $7 million commercials, and snack spreads that could feed a small village. In 2024 alone, over 123 million people watched the Super Bowl, making it one of the most-watched TV events ever in the U.S. Meanwhile, the Grey Cup usually tops out around 3 to 4 million viewers, according to Jake Takeuchi from The Varsity.
That’s not to say Canadian football isn’t exciting (we see you, 110-yard field!), but the Super Bowl is a cultural event. Even non-sports fans tune in just for the trailers and Taylor Swift sightings. The U.S. made football a national party, and Canada just hasn’t scaled it quite the same. Sorry, eh?
4. Theme Parks
Sure, Canada has Wonderland near Toronto and some charming regional parks, but America is the undisputed king of theme parks. Disney World, Disneyland, Universal Studios, and dozens more make the U.S. the mecca for roller coaster lovers and character meet-and-greets. Disney World alone covers 25,000 acres—that’s basically a city built for churros and thrill rides. Canada’s parks just can’t compete on scale, variety, or pixie dust.
Tourists from all over the world flock to Florida and California just to ride Space Mountain and get sunburned. And let’s not forget that Universal’s Harry Potter world is basically a rite of passage now. Canadian parks might have shorter lines, but they don’t have Cinderella’s castle. Sorry, maple fans—Mickey wins this round.
5. National Parks Popularity
Both countries have jaw-dropping nature, but when it comes to global tourism buzz, U.S. national parks tend to steal the show. Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and Yosemite get millions of international visitors each year, according to Amelia Edelman from Lonely Planet. Banff and Jasper are breathtaking, but they’re not as globally iconic as the Grand Canyon. Even in pop culture, U.S. parks get more screen time and road trip love.
The National Park Service celebrated its centennial with major campaigns and merchandise, boosting visibility. Canada’s parks are often less crowded, which is great for peace—but less great for bragging rights. America’s parks come with lore, legends, and lots of selfies. If Instagram engagement counts, the U.S. has the scenic edge.
6. Snack Food Innovation
Poutine is delicious, don’t get us wrong—but when it comes to snack creativity, the U.S. is a snack-ovation powerhouse. From Flamin’ Hot Cheetos to Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Americans have turned snacks into a science. The sheer number of flavors, limited editions, and regional specialties is dizzying. Canada has ketchup chips and Coffee Crisp, but the snack aisle in an American gas station is practically a tourist attraction.
Think about it: the U.S. invented the cronut, deep-fried butter, and Doritos Locos Tacos. Are all of these healthy? Absolutely not—but they’re unforgettable. Snack FOMO is real when you’re north of the border. The U.S. takes the snack cake—and probably deep-fries it, too.
7. Music Industry Dominance
Yes, Canada has given us legends like Celine Dion, Drake, and Justin Bieber—but the U.S. music industry still sets the global beat. From Motown to hip hop to country and rock, America has shaped musical movements for decades. The Grammys, Coachella, and Billboard Hot 100 are all based in the U.S. Even Canadian stars often move south to really “make it.”
Streaming numbers show American artists like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé consistently topping the charts. Nashville and L.A. are career-launching hubs in a way no Canadian city quite matches. Canadian talent is incredible, but the infrastructure for global stardom? That’s still rooted in the U.S. mic drop.
8. Late-Night TV
Canada has great comedy chops, but the U.S. late-night scene is iconic. Shows like The Tonight Show, Saturday Night Live, and The Daily Show have influenced generations of comedians and political commentary. American hosts like Johnny Carson, David Letterman, and Stephen Colbert are household names worldwide. Canada has fun exports like This Hour Has 22 Minutes, but it doesn’t quite have the same cultural reach.
Late-night in the U.S. also doubles as a pop culture launchpad. A single sketch can go viral and change a career overnight. Canadian comedy is clever and often sharper politically, but late-night television is a game America plays loudly and very well. Chalk this one up to star power and staying up past midnight.
9. Competitive Eating
This one’s a little quirky, but yes—America dominates competitive eating. The annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4th draws massive crowds and ESPN coverage. Joey Chestnut alone has eaten over 70 hot dogs in 10 minutes and holds dozens of world records. Canada has some local contests, but nothing with the spectacle (or stomachs) of the U.S. scene.
It’s not everyone’s idea of glory, but it’s undeniably a category where America leads with… guts. Competitive eating in the U.S. has its own league, rankings, and even documentaries. Canadians might be more refined, but the U.S. is unabashedly proud of its food feats. It’s weird, wild, and very on-brand.
10. Tech Startups
Canada has some standout tech companies—like Shopify and Wattpad—but the U.S. is still the undisputed startup capital of the world. Silicon Valley is the birthplace of Google, Facebook, Apple, and countless unicorns. Venture capital flows in the billions, and the startup culture is deeply ingrained in American business life. Canada is catching up, but it’s not quite at the same innovation volume.
The U.S. also attracts global talent looking to build the next big thing. Startup incubators, pitch competitions, and funding rounds happen at lightning speed. While Toronto and Vancouver are growing hubs, they’re still junior players compared to San Francisco or Austin. Tech dreams still dream in American time zones.
11. Reality TV Exports
You can thank America for Survivor, The Bachelor, American Idol, and the entire Kardashian dynasty. Canadian reality shows exist (shout-out to The Amazing Race Canada), but few have the international pull or meme-worthiness of U.S. formats. American reality TV has been exported, copied, and parodied around the globe. Love it or hate it, it’s a massive cultural export.
Whether it’s cooking, dating, singing, or just people yelling in a house, U.S. reality TV keeps reinventing itself. The production budgets, celebrity crossovers, and viral moments give it global staying power. Canada’s versions are often tamer and more polite, which might be better for your blood pressure—but less binge-worthy. Trashy TV crown? America wears it proudly.
12. Car Culture
The U.S. is car-obsessed in a way Canada just isn’t. Classic road trips on Route 66, the birth of muscle cars, and cities built around highways have made driving a cultural cornerstone. Detroit is literally known as the Motor City for a reason. Canada has great vehicles (and makes a lot of them), but car culture there is more practical than passionate.
Think about American movies—there’s almost always a car chase, a road trip, or a convertible scene. Cars in the U.S. aren’t just transportation; they’re identity. Canada, on the other hand, leans more toward snow tires and sensible sedans. When it comes to automotive flair, the U.S. takes the wheel.
13. Fast Food Global Reach
Tim Hortons is a Canadian institution, sure—but when you think fast food, you think McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell, and Chick-fil-A. The U.S. has turned fast food into a worldwide phenomenon, with American chains operating in over 100 countries. McDonald’s alone serves more than 69 million people every day. That’s not just dominance—that’s dinner diplomacy.
Fast food in the U.S. is also endlessly inventive—think Doritos tacos, bacon sundaes, and infinite soda flavors. Canada’s offerings are solid, but they tend to follow American trends. When the world wants a quick bite, it’s usually something from an American menu. Greasy, global, and proudly super-sized.
14. College Sports
Canadian universities care about sports, but nothing matches the scale of NCAA fever in the U.S. College football games fill 100,000-seat stadiums, and March Madness practically shuts down workplaces. Entire towns live and die by their college teams. Canadian college sports, while competitive, don’t stir quite the same passions.
Athletes in the U.S. can become stars before they even go pro. ESPN broadcasts their games, fans wear their jerseys, and universities rake in millions. Canada doesn’t quite have that level of sports spectacle on campus. It’s academics first, touchdowns second.
15. Roller Coasters
Yes, Canada’s Wonderland is home to some cool coasters—but the U.S. is the coaster capital of the world. Parks like Cedar Point and Six Flags offer dozens of world-record rides, from the tallest to the fastest. Roller coaster enthusiasts regularly plan cross-country trips just to hit the biggest and baddest loops. Canada’s ride count just doesn’t compare.
In fact, Cedar Point alone has 17 coasters—more than most countries, period. The U.S. turns thrill rides into engineering marvels and tourism magnets. Canadians might have fewer lines, but Americans have bragging rights. The adrenaline advantage goes south.
16. Giant Food Portions
Finally, let’s talk about size—because everything really is bigger in America, especially when it comes to food. From foot-long corn dogs to 64-ounce sodas, the U.S. has built a reputation for super-sized meals. Canada’s portion sizes are more modest, even when it’s the same restaurant chain. You really notice the difference when you order a “medium” and get what looks like a bathtub.
Of course, health experts might not cheer this one—but it’s undeniably part of the American experience. Visitors are constantly surprised (and occasionally overwhelmed) by the servings. It’s not just a meal; it’s an event. Call it excessive or epic, but when it comes to food portions, America wins by a mile—and probably a few pounds.
