By Michaela Gordoni
Gen Z loves nostalgia and family movies — and as long as Hollywood will give them what they want, it could be saved.
Movieguide® has said since its genesis that the movies that sell are family movies with wholesome messages.
“Generation Z is ironically drawn to the classic analog experience of going to the movie theater,” said Comscore’s Paul Dergarabedian. “They are able to blend this traditional activity with their digital lives, using theater outings as fodder for social engagement.”
Some of the biggest movies last year were ZOOTOPIA 2, A MINECRAFT MOVIE, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON and LILO & STITCH.
Last year, Gen Z made up 39% of moviegoers.
“There’s no question about it — Gen Z likes going to the movies, and they do so more often than older audiences,” said Ray Subers, head of film at research firm NRG. “It’s critical to the industry’s future that studios prioritize these 21st century brands over older IP that mainly resonates with the 35-plus and 45-plus crowd. Gen Zers don’t want their parents’ franchises.”
ZOOTOPIA 2 had tremendous worldwide success and was even popular with single people and families without young kids.
“What we’re seeing right now,” said Tim Richards, founder and CEO of the UK cinema chain Vue, “and certainly it backs up all of the market analysis that’s been done across Europe and even in North America, is that [young people] have returned.”
Social media is driving an urge to connect. Gen Z sees content about new movies and wants to be a part of the conversation.
“I don’t think Gen Z just watches movies anymore,” said Hannah Stokes, a social media executive for Massive, a UK-based initiative. “They live and breathe them.”
Gen Alpha also has a high interest in movie theaters. Approximately 59% of Gen Alpha say they prefer to see movies in theaters than at home.
“Unlike Millennials and older Gen Z-ers, who can still remember a time when watching movies at home meant going through the hassle of buying or renting a DVD or VHS tape, Gen Alpha is growing up in a world where on-demand is the default,” said NRG researchers. “For them, there’s little novelty or excitement to be found in an at-home movie night. By extension, that makes the experience of physically leaving the house and going to watch a movie in theaters feel all the more special.”
Despite the obvious appeal for family movies, there is often an overwhelming amount of non-family-friendly movies in comparison. Last year, R-rated movies amounted to 28.3% of movies in the U.S. box office, per Deadline.
If Hollywood can remember who buys most of its tickets — families and PG movie lovers — then it could be saved.
Read Next: Could AI Make R-Rated Movies Family Friendly?
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