Generation Z Just Exposed Streaming's Biggest Lie

For the better part of two decades, the received wisdom in Hollywood has been that convenience beats quality. Given the dominance of Netflix and the decline of theaters, it was a simple assumption.

Perhaps too simple …

To be sure, streaming made entertainment easier to access than ever before. Why drive to a theater when thousands of films are a few clicks away? Why plan your evening around a set show time when you can watch any number of movies on demand?

Studio executives looked at the rapid growth of Netflix and drew an obvious conclusion: The future belonged to convenience. Movie theaters were relics; the age of gathering in front of a giant screen with strangers was winding down.

Then, as it often does, the unexpected happened.

Generation Z started going back to the movies.

Everyone knew that younger audiences had little interest in theaters. After all, Zoomers grew up surrounded by streaming platforms. They spend more time online than any previous generation. If anyone should have embraced the supremacy of digital entertainment, it was them.

Yet some of the biggest theatrical success stories of the past year have depended heavily on younger moviegoers. And, more impressively, movie makers.

Michael packed theaters even as the King of Pop reconquered Spotify.

Backrooms made the leap from cult YouTube hit to nationwide sensation.

Obsession resurrected the midlist horror flick.

And significantly, each film attracted viewers who could easily have stayed home.

Read the full post on Substack.

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