Good news! Generation Z is increasingly going to the movie theaters… unlike the rest of the world

In a context where bad news seems to dominate the cinematic landscape, a recent study by Cinema United has brought a ray of hope: attendance of Generation Z in movie theaters grew by 25% in 2025 compared to the previous year. This trend is reinforced by the interest sparked by titles such as A Minecraft Movie, Kimetsu no Yaiba: The Infinite Fortress, and Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, which have managed to strongly connect with this new audience.

Young and a movie lover

The data is encouraging: Generation Z viewers attended an average of 6.1 movies in 2025, a significant increase from the 4.9 they watched in 2024. These numbers indicate that 41% of young people attended more than six premieres on the big screen this year, a 10% increase compared to the previous year, suggesting a renewed interest in the cinema experience.

Nevertheless, the film industry continues to face considerable challenges. Despite this growth among Generation Z, cinemas are still dealing with a persistent crisis that began at the start of the pandemic. Although there are major productions that achieve box office success, many blockbusters still flop, raising questions about the long-term viability of these investments.

Michael O’Leary, president and CEO of Cinema United, has emphasized the importance of analyzing the industry comprehensively, noting that an irregular box office can hide other factors that herald a bright future for cinema. Additionally, Cinema United has expressed its opposition to the potential acquisition of Warner by Netflix, arguing that this could pose an unprecedented threat to exhibitors globally, impacting both large chains and independent theaters.