Fandango has dropped its latest Moviegoing Trends & Insights Study ahead of CinemaCon, offering a data-packed look into the shifting behaviors of theatergoers — and it’s got implications for everyone, including cord cutters.
Surveying over 5,000 people who bought at least one movie ticket in 2024, Fandango divided its findings between “Loyal Moviegoers” (those who saw 5+ movies in theaters) and “Casual Moviegoers” (those who saw fewer than 4). The study provides insight into how people discover, consume, and enhance their cinematic experiences.
Social Media Drives Hype, Especially Among Gen Z
Social platforms are dominating movie discovery. A full 59% of respondents said they first heard about movies via social media, followed by TV advertising at 54%. While trailers and clips still top the list of influential formats, Gen Z audiences in particular are flocking to TikTok-style debriefs, fan theories, and memes to get excited about upcoming releases.
That’s a huge takeaway for studios and streaming platforms alike. Online-first content isn’t just nice to have, it’s now essential to audience engagement.
Premium Formats and Online Perks Drive Theater Visits
Movie fans still love a big-screen experience, but now they’re seeking out upgraded options. Formats like IMAX, RealD 3D, and Dolby Cinema were favored by 77% of moviegoers, with RealD 3D seeing a 16% year-over-year jump in interest. Loyal Moviegoers are significantly more likely to pre-buy their tickets online with the number at 65% compared to 49% of Casual Moviegoers, showing a growing comfort with digital platforms even in traditional spaces.
Another clear takeaway: perks matter. Whether it’s waived fees, early ticket access, or premium upgrades, both casual and loyal audiences are motivated by loyalty programs that offer real value. This is a concept already baked into many streaming subscription bundles.
Theater and Streaming Worlds Continue to Blend
Perhaps most relevant to cord cutters is the study’s finding that demand for alternative content in theaters is growing. 80% of moviegoers said they’d be interested in watching sporting events on the big screen. This number springs to 86% among loyal theater fans. TV premieres and finales are also gaining popularity for theater screenings, especially in genres like horror, action, and comedy.
That crossover shows how the lines between streaming and theatrical content continue to blur and suggests streamers could find more ways to extend their IP to big screens (and vice versa).
Top 10 Most Anticipated Summer Movies of 2025
Summer is shaping up to be a blockbuster season, with big-name franchises and fan-favorite IPs leading the way. Fandango’s separate February survey of 3,000 moviegoers named these as the most anticipated films of the summer:
- Jurassic World Rebirth
- The Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
- Superman
- Thunderbolts
- From The World of John Wick: Ballerina
- 28 Years Later
- How to Train Your Dragon
- Lilo & Stitch
- Freakier Friday
With sequels, reboots, and shared-universe tie-ins dominating the list, it’s clear audiences are still showing up for theatrical experiences that promise familiar worlds and high stakes.
For streamers and on-demand viewers, the message is clear: the demand for convenience, value, and quality storytelling spans both theaters and home screens. As loyalty programs evolve, online ticketing expands, and premium bundles grow in popularity, streamers might want to take a page from the theatrical playbook and offer more flexible, bundled, or immersive experiences.