Lights, Camera, Generations: How Gen-Zs & Millennials Differ in Consuming Film & TV

By Mahtab Nayeem

Hey, audacious readers! My name is Mahtab, and today in this article, we are going to talk about a vital aspect of our lives—film.

Film has been our go-to source of entertainment over the years, a magical box that brings stories to life, making us laugh, cry, and forget about reality for a while. From making us fall in love with fictional characters to shaping our opinions about world events, movies have done it all.

Here, we are going to dive into the perception of the new generation folks regarding films and world cinema. Before moving forward, let’s settle the debate on who’s a millennial and who’s Gen-Z.

Also known as Generation Y, millennials are basically those who were born between the early 1980s and mid-1990s. They grew up witnessing the rise of the internet, playing with those nostalgic Tamagotchis, and jamming to the sweet tunes of the Backstreet Boys. Millennials are often characterized as tech-savvy, open-minded, and highly connected individuals.

Now, Generation Z, also referred to as Gen-Zs or Zoomers, are the cool-clad youngsters born from the mid-1990s to the early 2010s. They are the first generation to have grown up entirely in the digital age, with smartphones, social media, and streaming services being an integral part of their lives from an early age. With smartphones glued to their hands and a whole new set of lingo that we oldies have to try and keep up with, this generation has a mindset that can be characteristically differentiated from the older generations.

So how do these two generations consume films? To answer that question, we need to first consider the effects of a very crucial factor – technological advancement — leading to the emergence of "over-the-top" or OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Disney+, Hotstar, etc. 

We also need to keep in mind that different generations have varying levels of exposure to film marketing, and they therefore retain different aspects. Each generation was brought up with different means of motivation, and there are varying levels of knowledge on display. This stimulus-response factor is crucial when it comes to formulating one’s thoughts about any movie or television program.

Millennials grew up with traditional movie theaters and DVDs around them, so they are likely to be more attached to cinema. According to Deloitte’s Digital Media Trends Survey, 18% of millennials (those currently aged 26-40) said watching TV shows or movies was their top mode of entertainment. While the same survey stated that among Gen-Z consumers in the U.S. (those currently aged 14–24), video games are their Number 1 entertainment activity — and watching TV or movies at home comes in fifth. Well, isn’t that interesting?

Why this shift in priority? I would enlist two factors: emotions and accessibility. See, millennials have a strong attachment to the traditional cinematic experience. The big screen, immersive sound, and communal atmosphere of movie theaters hold a special place in their hearts. They often view going to the movies as a social event, enjoying the shared experience of watching a film with friends or loved ones. They appreciate the cinematic experience and sense of community that comes with watching a film in theaters, and they hold on to it. On the other hand, Gen-Zs, born in the digital age, embrace convenience and accessibility. They primarily consume movies through online platforms, seeking on-demand access to a vast array of content. There is an insatiable need to see movies first for younger generations and to be able to rave about them or review them on social media.

Another factor in which these two generations differ from each other is the length or duration of the film. According to a survey done by Morning Consult, the ideal length of a movie for 37% of young Americans (aged between 13 and 25) is 1 hour and 30 minutes, while the same stands at 2 hours for 48% of the general population. Why is that so?

Gen-Zs are used to consuming content quickly and moving on to the next thing. With the emergence of  "Vine-culture" through TikTok and Instagram Reels, there is a psychological factor dealing with the attention span of the people engaged. It's not that millennials aren’t active on social media; they are. But they have been exposed to the boom later in their lives as compared to the Gen-Zs. No wonder my 17-year-old cousin took three watches to complete Schindler’s List. 

Now, let’s talk about a relatively newer form of entertainment– "web series." The web series culture as we know it today started to gain traction and popularity in the mid-to-late-2000s. One of the earliest web series to gain significant attention and is often considered a pioneer in this medium is The Spot, created by Scott Zakarin and debuting in 1995. 

While the millennials are more into sitcoms and TV series, growing up watching Friends, The Sopranos, etc., the Gen-Zs are more into the "web" thingy. So, the essence of family gathering every Thursday at 8:30 PM is absent when it comes to the younger generation, as they are more into spontaneous watching. The same goes with the movies. With OTT platforms providing accessibility to movies anytime, anywhere, the "watch it or miss it" condition has now vanished. 

Another crucial point of contention is the genre factor. When asked what their top movie genres were, 38% of Gen-Zs in the United States picked comedy as their favorite genre in a recent study by the Statista Research Department. This was followed by horror, action, animation, and true crime at 32%, 29%, 20%, and 14%, respectively. The millennials had something different to say. While they kept comedy at the top, their preference for true crime and drama was much higher, each at 32% percent.  

It’s no wonder why, in another recent survey by Statista, American Gen-Zs chose the animated franchise Despicable Me over franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Harry Potter. That’s right, 73% of survey respondents ranked Despicable Me as their favorite franchise, followed by Jumanji and the MCU at 64% and 61%, respectively.

Now, what is the current scenario? As the Writer's Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) are both on strike now, the entertainment industry is in a double-blow. With the streaming platforms reshaping the landscape of show business, both the associations are after fatter residual paychecks and better safeguards from AI. And get this – it's the first time writers and actors are tag-teaming a strike since 1960, totally putting the brakes on the industry.

If this dual-strike sticks, Hollywood's gonna look like a deserted town. Sure, some reality TV shows, cartoons, and a handful of talk shows might sneak by, but scripted content will be affected for sure. Our favorite TV shows scheduled to return later this year and next, as well as upcoming films, will face delays and in turn could lead to a change in the consumer behavior. Audiences may shift to the easily accessible genre against their preferable one, resulting in the revival of a few backseated categories.

And let's talk about the ripple effect – these strikes are not only messing with the glamor of the entertainment industry but also the overall economy. A brief analysis of the 2007-2008 writers' strike reveals an approximate economic loss of $2.1 billion. Given the current scenario with both writers and actors in tandem, the potential repercussions loom even larger. The ramifications extend to not only the prominent figures within the industry but also the multitude of individuals operating behind the scenes – encompassing roles ranging from makeup artists to production assistants, which includes a significant Gen-Z and millennial workforce. This confluence of labor disputes resonates across a wide spectrum of employment, transforming it into a broader issue beyond the confines of Hollywood.

While both the Millennials and the Gen-Zs come under the purview of the tech-savvy generation, these differences in how they consume movies in today’s world are noteworthy. From preferring one genre over the others to engaging more with documentaries than dramas, these two generations have diverse choices and opinions. 

Though it is for sure that this $284 Billion film industry needs to consider these factors to thrive in the impending digital world, let the "lights, camera, action" continue to thrill and excite us all! That’s it for now.

If you liked this article, let me know in the comment section below. Until next time!

Meet the Writer

Meet Mahtab Nayeem, a creative aspiring writer from India. His desire to learn and adapt has led him to take on various roles, including those of a digital artist, a film and music enthusiast, a social media content creator, and a freelance writer. He currently runs the Instagram page @themusicalfreaks. He eagerly looks forward to sharing his thoughts on movies and more. Join him on his journey of creativity and inspiration!