Cinema attendance trends show Generation Z seeking digital disconnection

Recent trends indicate a complex relationship between audiences and the cinema experience. In Brazil, data from the ticketing platform Fandango shows that Generation Z is leading cinema attendance, with 87% of this demographic having watched at least one film on the big screen in the last year.

For many young viewers, the cinema serves as a vital space for a digital detox, offering an offline environment to disconnect from smartphones and social media. Some viewers view the experience as a form of cultural resistance against the dominance of streaming services and artificial intelligence.

Conversely, challenges remain regarding the practicality of movie-going. In regions like Portugal, high ticket and concession prices, combined with the increasing duration of films, have made cinema visits less frequent. Audiences are becoming more selective, often choosing only major blockbusters or specific high-quality adaptations to justify the cost and time commitment.