Entertainment: Pete Davidson & Bill Murray On The Future of Cinema and "Background Movies"
- InsightTrendsWorld
- Apr 26
- 10 min read
Why it is the topic trending:
Multigenerational Perspectives on Cinema: The conversation between Pete Davidson, a younger comedian, and Bill Murray, a veteran actor, offers valuable multigenerational insights into the evolution and future of the film industry.
Detailed description: The contrasting yet potentially converging views of individuals from different generations provide a comprehensive look at the changes and challenges facing cinema.
Discussion of "Background Movies": Pete Davidson introduces the concept of "background movies," films designed to be watched casually while viewers are distracted by other activities, which has sparked discussion and concern within the filmmaking community.
Detailed description: This novel term and its implications for the art and experience of cinema have resonated with filmmakers, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts, prompting reflection on the impact of streaming and short-form content.
Concerns about the Communal Moviegoing Experience: Bill Murray emphasizes the importance of great movies in theaters for the communal experience, highlighting a growing sentiment about the unique value of watching films together in a cinematic setting.
Detailed description: The debate about the role of theaters versus streaming in the future of film consumption is a significant topic, and Murray's perspective as a respected figure in cinema adds weight to this discussion.
Impact of COVID, Streaming, and Strikes: The conversation touches upon major industry shifts, including the effects of the pandemic, the rise of streaming services, and industry strikes, on how movies are made and distributed.
Detailed description: These recent and ongoing changes have profoundly impacted the film industry, making any discussion about their consequences and the future of cinema highly relevant.
Watershed Moment for Filmmakers: The article suggests that the film industry is at a critical juncture, emphasizing the need for a cultural shift to support and appreciate filmmaking as an art form meant for dedicated viewing.
Detailed description: The sense of urgency and the call for cultural change resonate with concerns about the potential degradation of cinema in an era of fragmented attention and passive viewing habits.
Overview:
The article features a conversation between Pete Davidson and Bill Murray on the "Club 30 with Henrik Lundqvist" podcast, where they discussed their careers and the current state and future of cinema. A key point of discussion was the emergence of "background movies" – films made by streamers that are simple enough to follow while viewers are also engaged with other activities like scrolling on their phones. Both Davidson and Murray expressed concern about this trend and the impact of streaming on the communal experience of watching great movies in theaters, which Murray believes is crucial for the culture to support filmmaking as an art form. They also touched on how COVID, streaming, and industry strikes have affected the theatrical release of films.
Detailed Findings:
Bill Murray believes a great movie involves on-set chemistry and a collective goal of creating lasting cinematic art.
Both Davidson and Murray agree that the movie business has changed significantly due to COVID, streaming, and industry strikes, leading to fewer theatrical releases.
Murray stresses the importance of great movies in theaters for the communal experience and the need for culture to support it.
Pete Davidson introduced the term "background movies," referring to films made by streamers that are easy to follow even while viewers are distracted by their phones.
Davidson suggests that the motivation behind "background movies" is to create content that can be played while people are on TikTok.
This concept of "background movies" was met with horror by others in the room.
The article suggests that the film industry is at a watershed moment, needing a cultural shift to support quality filmmaking for dedicated viewing.
Key Takeaway:
Pete Davidson and Bill Murray share concerns about the future of cinema, particularly the rise of "background movies" designed for passive viewing on streaming platforms, and emphasize the enduring importance of the communal experience of watching great films in theaters for the health and cultural significance of the art form.
Main Trend:
"The Fragmentation of Cinema: Between Theatrical Experience and Ambient Streaming"
Description of the Trend:
This trend describes the increasing divergence in how cinematic content is being created and consumed. On one hand, there is an emphasis on the communal and focused experience of watching "great movies" in theaters, which veteran filmmakers like Bill Murray champion. On the other hand, the rise of streaming services is fostering the creation of what Pete Davidson calls "background movies" – content designed for passive, distracted viewing, often while multitasking with other activities like social media. This fragmentation raises questions about the future of cinematic art, the value of the theatrical experience, and the impact of viewing habits on the quality and complexity of storytelling in film.
What is Consumer Motivation:
Seeking Immersive Theatrical Experiences: Some consumers prioritize the dedicated, communal viewing of high-quality films in a cinema setting.
Demand for Convenience and Accessibility: Streaming offers the ease of watching movies at home, at any time, often fitting into busy schedules.
Multitasking and Casual Entertainment: Many viewers use streaming content as background entertainment while engaging in other activities.
Cost Considerations: Streaming subscriptions can be more budget-friendly than frequent trips to the theater.
Habitual Viewing Patterns: Streaming has become a dominant mode of content consumption for many.
What is Driving Trend:
Rise of Streaming Platforms: Streaming services have become major players in film production and distribution, often favoring content that can be passively consumed.
Impact of Technology and Shorter Attention Spans: The prevalence of smartphones and social media may be contributing to shorter attention spans and a preference for less demanding content.
Economic Factors: Streaming models and theatrical releases have different economic structures and pressures.
Changes in Audience Behavior Post-Pandemic: The pandemic significantly altered moviegoing habits.
What is Motivation Beyond the Trend:
Appreciation for Cinematic Art: A desire to experience well-crafted and impactful storytelling.
Social Connection: The shared experience of watching a movie in a theater.
Convenience and Relaxation: The ease of accessing and watching content at home.
Description of Consumers Article is Referring To:
The article refers to a broad audience of movie watchers, from those who value the traditional theatrical experience to those who primarily consume content through streaming platforms.
Age: Likely spans different age groups, with younger audiences potentially more accustomed to multitasking while watching content and older audiences possibly holding more traditional views on cinema.
Gender: Not specified as a differentiating factor.
Income: Can influence viewing habits, as streaming subscriptions and theater tickets have different costs.
Lifestyle: Busy individuals might prioritize the convenience of streaming, while those who value dedicated entertainment might seek out theatrical experiences.
Conclusions:
The way we consume cinema is increasingly fragmented, with a tension between the focused, communal experience of theaters and the casual, often distracted, viewing facilitated by streaming platforms, impacting the types of films being made and how they are appreciated.
Implications for Brands:
Theatrical Release Strategy: Studios need to consider the value and impact of theatrical releases versus direct-to-streaming models.
Content Creation Focus: Streaming services might prioritize content that suits "background" viewing.
Marketing and Engagement: Different types of films require different marketing strategies to reach their intended audiences.
Implication for Society:
Potential changes in our cultural engagement with storytelling and shared experiences.
Implications for Consumers:
More viewing options but potentially a decline in the availability of high-quality, complex films in theaters.
Implication for Future:
The balance between theatrical releases and streaming content will continue to evolve, likely influencing the kinds of movies that are produced and how they are experienced by audiences.
Consumer Trend (Name)
"The Rise of Ambient Entertainment"
Consumer Trend (Detailed Description)
This trend describes the increasing demand for entertainment content that can be passively consumed or easily integrated into multitasking activities, often requiring minimal focused attention. This includes podcasts, certain types of streaming shows, and now, as suggested by Pete Davidson, "background movies."
Consumer Sub Trend (Name)
"The Preservation of the Cinematic Ritual"
Consumer Sub Trend (Detailed Description)
This sub-trend highlights the efforts and desire to maintain the traditional and focused experience of watching films in a movie theater as a distinct cultural and artistic event, emphasizing the communal aspect and the immersive nature of the cinematic presentation.
Big Social Trend (Name)
"The Attention Economy and Content Consumption"
Big Social Trend (Detailed Description)
Society is increasingly grappling with the challenges of fragmented attention spans in the digital age, influencing how content is created, distributed, and consumed across various media.
Worldwide Social Trend (Name)
"The Global Battle Between Streaming Giants and Traditional Media"
Worldwide Social Trend (Detailed Description)
The global entertainment industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by the competition between large streaming services and established media companies, impacting film production, distribution, and viewing habits worldwide.
Social Drive (Name)
"Seeking Both Focused Immersion and Casual Engagement with Media"
Social Drive (Detailed Description)
The underlying social drive is consumers' desire for both deep engagement and focused attention with certain types of content (like great movies in theaters) and more relaxed, passive engagement with other forms of entertainment (like "background movies" on streaming).
Learnings for Brands to Use in 2025
Streaming platforms are producing content designed for casual, distracted viewing ("background movies").
Detailed description: This suggests a significant portion of the audience consumes content in this way.
The value of the theatrical experience for certain types of films and audiences remains significant.
Detailed description: There's still a demand for communal and immersive moviegoing.
The way films are being made and distributed is undergoing a major shift.
Detailed description: Brands need to be aware of these changes in the industry landscape.
Strategy Recommendations for brands to follow in 2025
For streaming services, consider the audience's potential for passive viewing when developing certain types of content.
Detail description: Simple narratives and easily digestible plots might be suitable for "background movies."
For studios focused on cinematic art, emphasize the importance of the theatrical experience in their marketing.
Detail description: Highlight the communal and immersive aspects.
Filmmakers should be aware of the different viewing contexts (theatrical vs. streaming) and how they might impact storytelling and production choices.
Detail description: Consider the intended mode of consumption during the creative process.
Final sentence (key concept) describing main trend from article (which is a summary of all trends specified)
"The Fragmentation of Cinema" highlights the growing divide between the intentional, communal experience of theatrical films and the rise of streaming content, including "background movies," designed for passive and distracted viewing.
What Brands & Companies Should Do in 2025 to Benefit from Trend and How to Do It
To benefit from "The Fragmentation of Cinema: Between Theatrical Experience and Ambient Streaming" trend in 2025, film studios and streaming services should strategically tailor their content creation and distribution models to cater to both the demand for immersive theatrical experiences and the prevalence of casual, at-home viewing habits, including the emerging category of "background movies." This can be achieved by:
Producing High-Quality, Theatrical-Worthy Films: Continue to invest in ambitious, visually stunning, and complex narratives that are best experienced in the focused and communal environment of a movie theater.
Developing Engaging and Less Demanding Streaming Content: Recognize the audience for "background movies" and create content that is entertaining and easy to follow without requiring intense concentration, suitable for multitasking.
Implementing Flexible Release Strategies: Consider hybrid release models that allow some films to have a significant theatrical window before moving to streaming, while others might be better suited for direct-to-streaming releases.
Enhancing the Home Viewing Experience: For streaming content, focus on user-friendly interfaces, personalized recommendations, and features that cater to different viewing preferences, including options for more passive or focused watching.
Promoting the Unique Value of Theatrical Releases: Emphasize the cultural and artistic significance of seeing films in theaters through targeted marketing campaigns that highlight the immersive sound, large screen, and shared experience.
Final Note:
Core Trend: The Fragmentation of Cinema: Between Theatrical Experience and Ambient Streaming
Detailed Description: Movies are made and watched for both dedicated theater experiences and casual home streaming.
Core Strategy: Tailor Content and Distribution to Both Theatrical and Streaming Models
Detailed Description: Create different kinds of movies for different viewing contexts and release them appropriately.
Core Industry Trend: The Ongoing Evolution of Film Consumption Habits
Detailed Description: How people watch movies continues to change due to technology and other factors.
Core Consumer Motivation: Seeking Both Focused Immersion and Casual Engagement with Media
Detailed Description: People want different kinds of viewing experiences for different times and moods.
Final Conclusion:
In the evolving landscape of cinema in 2025, success will likely lie in understanding and catering to the diverse ways audiences want to engage with film, from the dedicated ritual of the theater to the convenience of at-home streaming, including the emerging phenomenon of "background movies" that fit into increasingly fragmented attention spans.
Core Trend Detailed: The Fragmentation of Cinema: Between Theatrical Experience and Ambient Streaming
Description: This core trend describes the increasing divergence in how cinematic content is created, distributed, and consumed, marked by a growing divide between the traditional, focused, and communal experience of watching films in a movie theater and the rise of streaming platforms that facilitate more casual, often distracted, and at-home viewing. This fragmentation is influencing the types of movies being made, with some catering to the immersive theatrical experience while others are designed for more passive consumption, such as Pete Davidson's concept of "background movies" intended for viewers simultaneously engaged with other activities.
Key Characteristics of the Trend (summary):
Theatrical Focus on Immersive Experience: Emphasis on high production value and communal viewing in cinemas.
Rise of Ambient Streaming Content: Creation of films and shows suited for casual, at-home, and often multitasking viewing.
Shift in Production Priorities: Streaming services may favor content that can be passively consumed.
Impact of Technology and Attention Spans: Prevalence of devices and shorter attention spans influencing viewing habits.
Debate on Cultural Value of Cinema: Concerns about the potential decline in the appreciation of filmmaking as a dedicated art form.
Market and Cultural Signals Supporting the Trend (summary):
Article's Central Theme: The discussion between Davidson and Murray highlights this division.
Murray's Emphasis on Theatrical Experience: His concern about the need for great movies in theaters.
Davidson's Concept of "Background Movies": Directly illustrates the trend towards less demanding streaming content.
Impact of COVID, Streaming, and Strikes: These events accelerated the shift towards home viewing.
"Second Screen" Phenomenon: The article mentions this term used in Hollywood, reflecting the reality of distracted viewing.
How the Trend Is Changing Consumer Behavior (summary):
Choosing Viewing Context Based on Content: Consumers might select theaters for "event" films and streaming for more casual viewing.
Multitasking During Streaming: Increased likelihood of engaging with other activities while watching streaming content.
Potentially Lowered Expectations for Some Streaming Releases: Accepting a different level of engagement with "background movies."
Seeking Out Dedicated Cinematic Experiences: For those who value it, a more conscious effort to go to theaters.
Adapting to Shorter Attention Spans: Preference for content that doesn't demand sustained focus for some viewers.
Implications Across the Ecosystem (summary):
For Film Studios: Need to strategically decide on release platforms and tailor content accordingly.
For Streaming Services: Opportunity to cater to a wide range of viewing habits, including passive consumption.
For Movie Theaters: Must emphasize the unique and immersive aspects of the theatrical experience to attract audiences.
For Filmmakers: May need to consider the intended viewing context during the creative process.
For Consumers: More viewing options but a potentially diluted cinematic experience for some.
Strategic Forecast: The fragmentation of cinema is likely to continue. Streaming will remain a dominant mode of consumption, and "background movies" may become a more recognized category. However, there will likely also be a continued demand for high-quality, immersive films best experienced in theaters, although the balance between these two modes may shift over time.
Final Thought: The tension between the desire for a dedicated cinematic experience and the convenience of ambient streaming reflects a fundamental shift in how audiences engage with film, raising important questions about the future of this art form and its cultural significance in an increasingly distracted world.
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