Leonardo DiCaprio questions if ‘people still have appetite’ for the cinema amid rise of streaming after his critically lauded film One Battle After Another failed to break even at box office

by

Leonardo DiCaprio worries that fewer people are going to movie theaters, as more and more choose to watch films at home on streaming services.

The famous actor, age 51, has appeared in many successful and highly-rated films, and is likely to be nominated for another Oscar later this month for his role in ‘One Battle After Another’.

Despite receiving fantastic reviews and being called a masterpiece by many critics, Paul Thomas Anderson’s political thriller didn’t perform well at the box office.

The film earned an impressive $204.7 million worldwide, but according to Variety, it didn’t quite reach its financial goal. With a production budget of around $175 million and substantial marketing expenses, it needed to make approximately $300 million to cover its costs.

In a recent interview with director Paul, Leo discussed the decline in movie theater attendance, wondering if people still want to see movies in theaters now that streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime are so popular.

In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, he discussed how quickly the movie industry is changing. He noted that documentaries have largely disappeared from theaters, and now even dramatic films are getting shorter runs before becoming available on streaming services. He expressed uncertainty about the future, saying, ‘I don’t know.’

I’ve been thinking a lot about the future of movies lately, and honestly, I wonder if audiences still have that same excitement for the big screen experience. It makes you question whether cinemas are heading towards becoming niche spaces – almost like those cozy, but limited, jazz clubs you find tucked away. Will they thrive as destinations, or simply become places for dedicated fans?

Leonardo DiCaprio’s concerns about the film industry have been heightened by Netflix’s recent attempt to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, the company that produced the film One Battle After Another.

Last month, the streaming service spent $82.7 billion to buy Warner Bros. Discovery’s studios, including its HBO and HBO Max streaming services, and a huge collection of movies and TV shows.

Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos argues that falling cinema revenues show most people now prefer watching movies at home, suggesting the traditional idea of going to theaters isn’t relevant for many anymore.

Those against the deal – including movie lovers, filmmakers, and theater owners – worry that if Netflix takes control of the studio, it will worsen the existing problems in Hollywood. They fear Netflix’s focus on algorithms, cutting costs, and avoiding risky projects will be detrimental to the industry.

Both Leo and Paul share these concerns, with the director of ‘There Will Be Blood’ comparing the push to get people watching things on streaming services instead of in movie theaters as a difficult and direct struggle.

Leonardo DiCaprio hopes filmmakers will still have opportunities to make movies for theaters, but he’s not very optimistic that will happen.

He expressed hope that talented and innovative individuals will have the chance to create original and compelling stories for film in the future, though whether this will happen is still uncertain.

The lead actor from The Wolf of Wall Street recently stated that he believes box-office revenue will always matter.

He noted that there’s a huge amount of content being created right now, and while that’s generally positive, it’s overwhelming.

I believe box office numbers matter because they show people are actually going to the movies and enjoying that shared experience together.

Even though it didn’t do well in theaters, the movie One Battle After Another has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics, with some even calling it a landmark film for its generation.

This thrilling and suspenseful movie, inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s novel Vineland, has become one of the most celebrated films of 2025. It’s received rave reviews, with even prominent figures like Steven Spielberg and Taylor Swift offering their praise.

This action-packed thriller draws inspiration from Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel, Vineland, and tackles politically relevant themes.

I’m really excited to see Leonardo DiCaprio as Bob Ferguson! He’s playing this fascinating character – a guy who used to be part of a radical left-wing group, but now he’s completely withdrawn from society, living off the grid with his daughter, Willa, who’s played by the amazing Chase Infiniti. Apparently, he’s deeply paranoid and… well, let’s just say he’s not entirely with it. It sounds like a complex role for Leo, and I can’t wait to see what he does with it.

Oh my gosh, when Willa vanishes, it’s everything! Ferguson has to team up with his old crew again, and it’s not just some random case – they’re going up against this terrifying group of white supremacists! It’s going to be epic, but seriously, I’m so worried about Willa!

The film features a remarkable cast, including acclaimed actors like Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, and Teyana Taylor.

Leonardo DiCaprio recently voiced concerns about the future of movie theaters, following earlier statements where he expressed worry about the increasing use of artificial intelligence in Hollywood.

The Academy Award-winning actor, recently named TIME magazine’s Entertainer of the Year, stated that using artificial intelligence in the arts lacks human connection.

Okay, so he said this, and it just… it completely solidified everything for me. He basically explained exactly what I’ve always believed! He thinks anything truly amazing, anything that really counts as art, has to come from a real person, from their heart and soul. It’s not about machines or algorithms, it’s about us. It’s just… perfect. He gets it!

Leonardo acknowledged seeing AI-generated videos of deceased celebrities performing popular songs, calling them interesting to watch initially.

He explained that these things quickly disappear like other fleeting internet trends, once people lose interest and move on to whatever’s new.

He also pointed out that AI art, despite being impressive, lacks a personal touch and feels disconnected from human experience.

Read More

2026-01-04 22:37