Gen Z’s favorite show (Stranger Things, obviously) finished its run in theaters and broke records doing it. The series finale played in over 620 global locations on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, generating more than $25M in total concession revenue to theaters (tickets were “free” with a food voucher). AMC drew 753K total attendees and accounted for $15M of those sales—outpacing Avatar: Fire and Ash sales over the exact same two days. The overall series hit 1.2B cumulative views ahead of the finale, and this theatrical event is the latest proof that Gen Z is digging the big-screen experience for streaming content. YPulse data shows 39% of young adults prefer watching new movie releases in theaters over at home when given the choice, and with the length of some streamer TV episodes, it’s practically a movie experience. This obsession with theaters is less about the movies and more about the fandom moment, though—no phones, shared reactions, and being part of something bigger. (Deadline)
👀 Read more from YPulse: Will Gen Z Choose Movie Theaters Over a Streaming Release?
