tech
January 25, 2026
The Guardian view on the future of cinema: gen Z is falling in love with the big screen
Film is in a state of existential crisis. But a new generation of cinephiles might save it from the streaming giants
TL;DR
- Cinema is experiencing an existential crisis due to television and now streaming, impacting its status as an art form.
- Figures like Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon express concerns about dwindling attention spans and the quality of films.
- Long film runtimes are negatively affecting profits for cinemas, which are already struggling financially.
- Despite challenges, Gen Z finds film influential, and there's been an increase in cinemagoing among young people.
- Social media and platforms like Letterboxd are encouraging younger audiences back to cinemas.
- Cinemas are described as magical places beyond just watching movies, with a unique romance compared to home streaming.
- A call is made for respect for cinema, advocating for a return to theaters to avoid a diet of "ultra-processed films."
- The potential resurrection of cinema is linked to the birth of a new kind of cine-love and a new generation of cinephiles.
Continue reading the original article