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Can Movie Theaters Survive?

Can Movie Theaters Survive?

July 28, 2020

With the world slowly shifting toward limited open statuses, entertainment fans have their eyes on movie theaters. Some theaters are failing; others are figuring out innovative ways to re-open. But not everyone is super eager to hop into a theater just yet, and some people, particularly those in Gen Z, are worried movie theaters won't have anything interesting to show.This week, we look at some interesting data on who's chomping at the bit to get back into the silver screen.

Streamer's Spotlight: Movie Theaters Opening With Nothing Good to Show

Movie theaters are in a tight spot. AMC Theaters is

close to bankruptcy

. Major-release movies, such as

Tenet

and

Bill & Ted Face The Music

, are getting delayed or shifted to on-demand streaming services. Where does that leave movie fans? It really depends on who you ask.

Show Me the Movies!

In a recent survey, streaming service aggregator JustWatch found that perceptions and expectations around movie theater re-openings vary widely by generational age ranges.

Among all age ranges, Gen Z (comprising people those 25 and under) were the most likely to want to go back to see a movie once theaters open. 52% of females and 66% of males in that age range are ready to see movies on the big screen again. By comparison, only 32% of Millennial women and only 44% of Millennial men are ready to go back. (For Boomers, the numbers are roughly the same as with Millennials).

There are also differences in what each generation is most concerned about when they do go back. The biggest concern among 45% of Gen Z females is about hygiene, while the majority of Gen Z men (38%) are worried about whether there will be any new movies to see. For every other generation, regardless of gender, the biggest concern was overwhelmingly over theaters ensuring social distancing.

Overall, the survey shows some interesting generational differences. Not only does it reflect how Gen Z feels about virus risks (they're less concerned with proximity to others), but it shows how much more they desire new experiences, especially in entertainment.