Are movie theaters taking over again?

This summer set records for the box office, with it being the highest-grossing season of all time, earning up to $4,765 billion. Living in such a digital era, most people are constantly attached to their phones; it is surprising that people would rather go to a movie theater rather than stream a movie at home. But why was this summer the high-grossing season, and why do people go to the theaters rather than stay at home?

Generation Z is the highest demographic of people shown having an interest in movie theaters. According to a 2026 Fandango study, 87% of Gen Z saw a movie in the movie theater over the past year, even outpacing all other generations.

Over the summer, Hollywood released a wide variety of blockbuster movies. “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” was the leading movie this summer, grossing about $924.9 million, followed by “The Odyssey,” grossing $600 million. Other big names were “Toy Story 5,” “Michael” and “Obsession.” These movies brought the audience into theaters throughout the summer. With so many young people choosing to go to the movie theater, Hollywood had to release sensational movies to attract viewers.

With the average price of a ticket being $16.30, Gen Z is willing to pay this much and even pay for food just to see a movie in the theater. Young people will pay to go to the theaters because they offer a better experience for them that watching a movie at home can’t provide. Gen Z sees the movie theaters as more than simply watching a film; it is a social event. Friends and family are turning watching the movie into more of a night out, adding dinner, buying snacks and drinks. This makes going to the theaters less like a chore and more like a fun outing.

Not only is the social aspect the reason people go to the movie theaters, but the experience itself is a major reason behind the growth in popularity of movie theaters. Going to the movie theaters offers the viewer a magical experience and a shared emotional journey with friends and even strangers. The audience is in a completely dark, black room with a giant screen that blocks out everyday stress. This allows for total focus on the movie, and the audience can enter another world. The feelings of the movie allow the audience to resonate with what is playing. The feeling of laughing or crying with a stranger makes the movie feel more animated. Even the smell of the movie theater allows the audience to experience a voyage; the smell of popcorn and candy builds this fun sense of excitement.

Despite living in a technological era where people are always on their phones and streaming is at its peak, movie theaters are still prevalent, especially with the younger generations. The combination of highly anticipated movies, the social aspect and the experience behind movie theaters explains why so many people still enjoy going to the movies. When Hollywood creates even more anticipated movies that bring people together, people will remember that the movie theater is about bringing people together and sharing memories with one another.

lynchk2@miamioh.edu

Kaleb Lynch is a second year studying sociology, with a co-major in business leadership and a minor in political science.