Entertainment: Global Cinema Federation report highlights need for more appealing films
- InsightTrendsWorld
- Mar 20
- 9 min read
Why it is the topic trending:
Challenges for Cinema Industry: The report addresses a core concern for cinema operators globally – how to attract and retain audiences.
How To Attract Audiences:
Offer More Appealing Films: The most significant factor is the content itself. Studios and distributors need to focus on producing and releasing a diverse range of high-quality films that resonate with different demographic groups.
Cater to Genre Preferences: The report suggests a demand for more action-adventure, comedy, and suspense/thriller films. Paying attention to these popular genres can attract a wider audience.
Specifically Target Older Audiences: The over-45 demographic indicated a lack of compelling films for them. Creating and marketing films that appeal to this group is crucial.
Increase Awareness of What's Playing: Some respondents indicated a lack of awareness about current cinema offerings. Better marketing and promotional efforts can address this.
Highlight the Value Proposition: While generally perceived as good, continue to emphasize the unique experience and value of seeing a film on the big screen.
Promote Local Cinemas: For some, the appeal of their local cinema matters. Highlighting the convenience and amenities of local theaters can attract audiences.
How To Retain Audiences:
Ensure a Consistent Flow of Appealing Content: Regularly releasing movies that audiences are excited to see will encourage repeat visits.
Maintain a Positive Cinema Experience: The report already indicates that the experience is considered good value. Continuing to provide a comfortable, immersive, and enjoyable environment is key for retention.
Consider Loyalty Programs and Incentives: While not directly mentioned in this article, loyalty programs and special offers can encourage repeat attendance.
Engage with Audiences: Understanding audience preferences through surveys and feedback can help cinemas tailor their offerings and marketing.
Value Perception vs. Content Quality: The findings highlight an interesting dynamic where people see value in the cinema experience but are hindered by the film selection.
Global Perspective: The GCF surveyed a significant number of customers across 15 countries, providing a broad insight into the state of cinema-going.
Generational Differences in Appeal: The report notes a divergence in film appeal between younger and older audiences, which is crucial for industry stakeholders to understand.
Actionable Insights for Film Community: The GCF aims to share these insights with the film industry to encourage a better response to customer demand.
The following kinds of films are recommended:
Action-Adventure: These were the most sought-after genre, with 55% of customers expressing a desire for more action-adventure films released in cinemas.
Comedies: Comedies were also highly desired, with 51% of customers wanting to see more of them.
Suspense and Thriller Titles: These genres also have a strong appeal, with 46% of customers indicating a preference for more suspense and thriller films.
Additionally, the report highlighted a need to attract and retain audiences over 45, who felt there wasn't a sufficient volume of films compelling to them. While the report doesn't specify exact genres for this group, filmmakers and the industry should consider creating and marketing films that resonate with the interests and tastes of this demographic.
Overview: A new report from the Global Cinema Federation (GCF) reveals that while a majority of film-goers believe the cinema experience offers good value for money, a major obstacle to attendance is the perceived lack of appealing films. The GCF surveyed over 68,000 global customers across 15 countries and found that when there is a film they want to see, barriers to cinema-going largely disappear. The report indicates that cinema spend is relatively stable compared to other out-of-home entertainment, and customers under 44 are spending more on cinema than six months prior. While there's excitement about upcoming films among younger audiences, those over 45 feel there isn't a sufficient volume of compelling films for them. The report suggests that more action-adventure, comedy, and suspense/thriller films are desired by audiences.
Detailed findings:
72% of film-goers believe the cinema experience is good value for money.
64% of respondents did not see any barriers to cinema-going when there was a film they wanted to watch.
6% would rather wait to watch a film on a streaming platform.
Cinema spend is holding stable relative to other out-of-home entertainment.
Customers below the age of 44 are spending more on cinema than six months ago.
68% of customers are excited by the upcoming film line-up, with 83% among those aged 34 years and below.
Audiences over 45 indicated an insufficient volume of compelling films is a holdback.
Smaller barriers include the appeal of a local cinema (7%) and lack of awareness of what is on (6%).
55% want more action-adventures, 51% want more comedies, and 46% want more suspense and thriller titles.
Key takeaway: The primary obstacle to increased cinema attendance globally is not the value of the experience but rather a lack of appealing films, particularly for audiences over 45, highlighting a need for the film industry to better cater to diverse audience tastes and preferences.
Main trend: The central trend is Content Appeal as the Key Determinant of Cinema Attendance.
Description of the trend (Content Appeal as the Key Determinant of Cinema Attendance): This trend underscores the critical role that the appeal and relevance of films play in driving audiences to movie theaters. While the cinema experience itself is generally valued by consumers, their decision to attend hinges primarily on whether there are movies being offered that genuinely excite and interest them. This trend highlights that despite the convenience of streaming and other entertainment options, compelling content remains the most significant factor in motivating people to leave their homes and pay for the big-screen experience.
What is consumer motivation:
Seeking Engaging and Enjoyable Stories: Consumers go to the cinema to be entertained, whether through action, comedy, suspense, or other genres.
Desire for High-Quality Content: They are looking for films that are well-made, well-acted, and offer a compelling narrative.
Genre Preferences: Different audience segments have specific genre preferences that influence their movie choices.
Excitement and Anticipation: The prospect of seeing a highly anticipated film on the big screen is a major draw.
Value Perception Tied to Content: Consumers are willing to pay for the cinema experience if they feel the film offering is worth the cost.
What is driving trend:
Abundance of Entertainment Options: Consumers have numerous ways to spend their leisure time and money, including streaming at home.
Selective Spending Habits: With economic considerations, people are more discerning about which entertainment options they choose to spend on.
Impact of Marketing and Word-of-Mouth: Awareness and positive buzz around a film significantly influence its appeal.
Quality of Film Production and Storytelling: Ultimately, the quality of the films being released impacts whether audiences find them appealing.
What is motivation beyond the trend: Consumers may also be motivated by the social aspect of going to the cinema, the immersive experience offered by the big screen and sound system, and the desire to support the film industry.
Description of consumers article is referring to: The article refers to a broad range of global cinema-goers across 15 countries. It specifically highlights differences in film appeal based on age, with younger audiences (under 34) showing more excitement for upcoming releases than those over 45. The report also indicates a general desire for more action-adventure, comedy, and suspense/thriller films among customers.
Conclusions: The GCF report clearly indicates that the primary driver for cinema attendance is the availability of films that appeal to a wide range of audiences. While the cinema experience is valued, its draw is contingent on the quality and type of content being offered, particularly for older demographics.
Implications for brands (Film Studios and Distributors):
Focus on Diverse and Compelling Storytelling: Invest in films that cater to a variety of tastes and age groups.
Market Films Effectively: Ensure audiences are aware of upcoming releases and generate excitement.
Consider Genre Preferences: Pay attention to the genres that audiences are most interested in seeing in cinemas.
Engage Older Audiences: Specifically target and market films that appeal to those over 45.
Ensure a Consistent Flow of Appealing Content: Address the concern about the volume of compelling films available.
Implication for society: The health of the cinema industry is dependent on its ability to provide content that resonates with a broad audience, contributing to cultural experiences and shared entertainment.
Implications for consumers: Consumers are expressing a desire for more films that cater to their interests, and their attendance will likely be driven by the appeal of the movies being released.
Implication for Future: The success of cinemas will rely heavily on the film community's ability to produce and distribute a consistent stream of high-quality, appealing movies that motivate audiences to choose the big screen over other entertainment options.
Consumer Trend (name, detailed description): Content-Driven Cinema Attendance: Consumers' decision to go to the cinema is primarily driven by the availability of movies that they find appealing and are excited to see, outweighing other factors like the value of the experience itself.
Consumer Sub Trend (name, detailed description): Generational Divergence in Film Appeal: There are noticeable differences in the types of films that appeal to younger audiences compared to older demographics, requiring a nuanced approach to content creation and marketing.
Big Social Trend (name, detailed description): The Power of Choice in Entertainment: Consumers have a vast array of entertainment options, making the appeal of specific content the critical factor in their choices.
Worldwide Social Trend (name, detailed description): The challenges of attracting audiences to cinemas in the face of numerous other entertainment options are a global concern for the film industry.
Social Drive (name, detailed description): The Need for Engaging and Relevant Entertainment: Consumers are driven by a desire to spend their leisure time and money on entertainment that they find personally engaging and relevant to their interests.
Learnings for brands to use in 2025:
Content is King (Still): The quality and appeal of the product are paramount.
Know Your Audience: Understand what different demographic groups want to see.
Marketing Creates Awareness: Ensure your target audiences know what you're offering.
Address Specific Needs: Recognize and cater to the desires of different customer segments (e.g., older audiences).
Strategy Recommendations for brands to follow in 2025:
Invest in Diverse Film Production: Support a wide range of genres and stories.
Conduct Thorough Market Research: Understand audience preferences and trends.
Develop Targeted Marketing Campaigns: Reach specific demographic groups with relevant messaging.
Collaborate with Exhibitors: Work together to ensure films reach the right audiences.
Final sentence (key concept) describing main trend from article: The Global Cinema Federation report underscores that the appeal of the film content itself is the most significant factor in driving audiences to cinemas worldwide, highlighting the need for more compelling and diverse movie offerings.
What brands & companies should do in 2025 to benefit from trend and how to do it: In 2025, film studios, production companies, and distributors should prioritize the creation and distribution of a diverse range of high-quality films that cater to the varied tastes and preferences of global cinema-goers, particularly focusing on genres like action-adventure, comedy, and suspense/thriller, while also addressing the specific desires of demographics like the over-45 audience to ensure a consistent stream of appealing content that motivates attendance.
Final note:
Core Trend: Name: Content Drives Cinema Detailed Description: The primary factor influencing cinema attendance is the appeal of the movies being shown.
Core Strategy: Name: Focus on Film Appeal Detailed Description: The film industry needs to prioritize creating diverse and compelling content for various audiences.
Core Industry Trend: Name: The Audience's Voice Detailed Description: Understanding and responding to audience preferences is crucial for the success of the cinema industry.
Core Consumer Motivation: Name: Seeking Compelling Entertainment Detailed Description: Consumers are motivated to go to the cinema when there are films that genuinely interest and excite them.
Final Conclusion: The future success of the cinema industry hinges on its ability to deliver appealing content that resonates with diverse audiences, reminding the film community that compelling storytelling is paramount.
Recommendations for Filmmakers:
Focus on Diverse Storytelling: Invest in developing a wide range of stories and genres that cater to varied audience tastes and preferences, not just relying on established formulas.
Craft Compelling Narratives: Prioritize high-quality writing, acting, and directing to create engaging and memorable films that resonate with viewers.
Consider Genre Demand: Pay attention to audience desires for genres like action-adventure, comedy, and suspense/thriller, as indicated in the report.
Explore Content for Underserved Audiences: Specifically develop and market films that appeal to demographics who feel their needs are not currently being met, such as the over-45 audience mentioned in the report.
Innovate Storytelling Approaches: Explore fresh and original ideas that can excite audiences and offer something different from what's readily available on streaming platforms.
Recommendations for the Film Industry (Studios, Distributors, Exhibitors):
Invest in Market Research: Conduct thorough research to understand current audience preferences, identify gaps in the market, and inform content development decisions.
Develop Effective Marketing Strategies: Ensure audiences are aware of upcoming film releases through targeted and engaging marketing campaigns that highlight the appeal of diverse content.
Distribute a Consistent Flow of Appealing Content: Work to ensure a steady stream of high-quality films across various genres throughout the year to maintain audience interest.
Collaborate to Cater to Diverse Audiences: Encourage collaboration between filmmakers, studios, and exhibitors to ensure a wide range of films reach their intended audiences.
Support Local and Niche Cinemas: Recognize the importance of local cinemas in catering to specific community tastes and ensure they have access to a diverse film selection.
Explore Flexible Release Strategies: Consider how theatrical releases can complement streaming releases to maximize reach and cater to different viewing preferences.
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