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The year 2025 witnessed major surprises in Hollywood box office revenues, with Disney leading the way through the film Zootopia 2, which grossed $1.86 billion globally, surpassing Avatar: Fire and Ash. Additionally, Disney's live-action Lilo & Stitch earned over one billion dollars, placing it among the top three films of the year.
Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012) emerged as a key factor in these successes, making up 39% of the cinema audience in North America, compared to 34% in 2019, with increased attendance in the 18-24 and 25-34 age groups. This generation shows a growing preference for the traditional cinema experience despite their ongoing digital engagement, using cinema visits as an opportunity for social interaction.
Film studios are increasingly focusing on movies that cater to Generation Z’s tastes, such as PG-rated films, which have seen a strong resurgence thanks to this generation, in contrast to Millennials who tended to avoid these ratings during their teenage years. Moreover, 40% of Generation Z plans their cinema tickets in advance, reflecting their organized approach to visits.
Other films like Iron Lung and Scream 7 also contributed to unexpected box office revenues, supported by Generation Z’s interest in properties based on contemporary brands such as video games, anime, and YouTube celebrities, rather than relying on older franchises favored by older generations.
These trends underscore the importance of Generation Z in the future of the film industry, as they form a growing audience base that influences film selection and market directions, prompting studios to reassess their strategies to meet this generation’s expectations.
