Why Gen Z Is Going To Movie Theaters More Than Anyone Else

As the generation who grew up with Netflix, TikTok and endless scrolling, Gen Z might seem like the least likely group to bring cinemas back to life. However, new research suggests that Gen Z is actually the generation most likely to buy a ticket and head to the movies. According to a Fandango survey, nearly 90% of Gen Z in the US went to the movies in 2025. They went an average of seven times throughout the year, compared with 6.1 times for Gen X and 5.7 times for baby boomers. Social media appears to be playing a major role in this cinema comeback. According to The Economist, nearly half of young people in Europe say they discover new movies through TikTok. Movie-focused social media platforms like Letterboxd have also helped make cinema more of a social experience, with users sharing reviews and keeping track of the films they watch. For Gen Z, a trip to the movies is also about more than simply watching a film, it’s also a social event. Friends are turning screenings into full nights out, often adding dinner, drinks and novelty cinema treats.