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Will teens save the movies? Here’s what a surprising new study says about youth and Hollywood

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Will teens save the movies? Here's what a surprising new study says about youth and Hollywood

As a seasoned film critic with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that this UCLA study has brought forth a breath of fresh air into the cinematic landscape. Having grown up in the golden age of cinema myself, I remember the thrill and excitement of heading to the movie theater every week, much like today’s teenagers do.

It’s positive news for cinemas yet to fully bounce back post-COVID-19 and related upheavals in the industry: According to a recent UCLA study, attending movies remains the top choice among adolescents.

The most recent edition of the university’s “Teens and Screens” study, which polled 1,500 young individuals aged 10 to 24 in the U.S., found that attending a movie on its opening weekend was their top choice for leisure activity when factors like cost, travel, and other obstacles are taken into account.

In this particular age range, going to the cinema was more popular than watching live sports, gaming on personal devices, streaming films or television shows, and other types of amusement.

Approximately four out of ten teenagers prefer playing video games to activities such as watching television or movies, or browsing social media, when considering costs and other challenges.

According to Yalda Uhls, the general belief is that young people today are primarily focused on social media platforms like YouTube, streaming services, and binge-watching content, with the traditional movie industry no longer being their main interest.

“At first, I thought children didn’t care for movies, but it turns out they actually do show interest once you ask them.

Movie theaters could greatly benefit from an influx of young energy right now. Sales of movie tickets in the United States and Canada have dropped by 11% compared to the same period last year, and they’re still not close to their pre-pandemic figures, as reported by Comscore.

Previously in the film industry, an executive named Uhls stated that movie studios often overlook the teen audience. To successfully target this demographic, it’s essential for them to improve their engagement strategies by understanding and catering to the diverse tastes and behaviors of young individuals from different backgrounds.

Uhls advised, ‘Conduct your research thoroughly.’ When creating content for teenagers, consider the diverse real-life experiences of every teenager.

So what do teenagers want to see onscreen?

The UCLA report indicates that approximately one-third (36.2%) of adolescents favor fantasy narratives more than other genres, while a majority (63.5%) show a preference for stories that focus on friendships and non-romantic relationships rather than romance. Furthermore, around two out of three respondents (62.4%) believe that explicit sex scenes are unnecessary in television shows and films to further the plot, as this survey only included participants aged 14 and above in their opinions about screen sex.

Each of those totals saw a huge jump (of at least 39%) compared to last year’s study.

At the opposite extreme, just 7.2% of youth found pleasure in watching movies and shows about the wealthy and famous; conversely, a slightly higher 13.9% expressed interest in viewing content centered around real-world problems that affect society.

In a world where heavy topics such as gun violence, global warming, inequality, politics, conflict, and various other serious matters are constantly filling our news feeds and social media platforms, children require a break, stated Uhls. This respite isn’t merely about watching action films featuring superheroes.

“It feels like that’s all we give them,” Uhls said. “They want to see a broader array.”

On the exhibition front, theaters could entice a larger teen audience by hosting themed events such as costume-encouraged screenings, and providing special group deals tailored for younger crowds, as suggested by Uhls.

Uhls stated, ‘This is simply the classic feeling of going to the movies, something I cherished as a child, and something that still resonates with many today. If we offer this experience, people will flock to it.’

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2024-10-24 17:32

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