Gen Z Leads Surge in Theater Attendance with Social Movie Nights and Dining Out

If you’ve visited a movie theater recently, you may have noticed the crowd skewing younger. Gen Z and millennials are fueling a resurgence at theaters, attending more films annually and spending more per outing than older generations, according to the 2025 Fandango Moviegoing Trends and Insights Study.

Gen Z stood out in key metrics: 87% of people born after 1997 reported watching at least one movie in theaters in the past year—the highest share of any generation. They were also the most likely to purchase tickets online or pre-order snacks, based on a survey of over 7,000 moviegoers.

What sets Gen Z’s theater visits apart is their emphasis on social experiences. The Fandango report notes that this generation prefers attending movies with friends. In a nod to classic outings, 92% of Gen Zers paired their movie with dining out. By comparison, only 58% of Baby Boomers reported seeing at least one movie in the past year.

Why Gen Z is Returning to Theaters

While studio output plays a role, theaters may be regaining appeal among younger audiences due to declining interest in alcohol-centric socializing and the erosion of traditional “third spaces,” according to Benedict and Hannah Townsend, hosts of the film and TV podcast Talk of the Townsends.

“As the internet becomes ever more pervasive—and, in many ways, ever more annoying—Gen Z are looking for experiences beyond the black mirror.”

The survey underscores Gen Z’s strong preference for the shared, communal experience of moviegoing, said Jerramy Hainline, executive vice president at Fandango. “Theaters continue to play an important role as a social destination for younger audiences.”

Fandango did not respond to a request for comment from Fast Company.

Gen Z vs. Millennials: Who’s Watching More?

While Gen Z leads in theater attendance frequency, millennials slightly outpaced them in the average number of films seen in theaters in 2025—7.2 movies for millennials versus 7.0 for Gen Z. Across all generations, the average moviegoer attended 5.3 films in theaters in 2026.

Hollywood’s Mixed Outlook

The resurgence in younger audiences is a bright spot for Hollywood, but the industry faces challenges. In April alone, two major studios and a high-profile production company announced layoffs totaling over 1,000 jobs.

Despite setbacks, analysts project 2026 will be the highest-grossing year for global box office sales since 2019, driven by hits like The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Pegasus 3, and Project Hail Mary, along with a strong summer slate, according to Deadline.