Image: Minions, Universal
The importance of Gen Z, the age group ranging from 15 to 24 years old, for the entertainment industry is well-known and widely recognized by industry analysts. According to Parrot Analytics’ Audience Solutions, Gen Z makes up approximately 27% of the global audience for TV and movies, more than any other generational group. A recent article by TheWrap highlighted the TV shows that resonate most with this generation, and now it's time to focus on recent movie releases that have made a significant impact on them.
Similar to the article mentioned above, we will use two of Parrot Analytics’ key capabilities: Demand data and Audience Demographics, to identify the titles released since the beginning of 2022 that are both popular (measured by average demand during the first 60 days after release) and have a high share of Gen Z viewers in the U.S. These titles are highlighted in the shaded area of the chart (top right corner).
As expected, franchise titles dominate this space, with animated franchises particularly standing out. Movies like “Despicable Me 4,” “Sonic the Hedgehog 2,” “Inside Out 2,” and the latest installment in the “Shrek” franchise, “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” have captivated more than 50% of their audiences from Gen Z while achieving outstanding levels of demand. Although not part of a franchise, Pixar’s “Turning Red” emerged as the most in-demand movie among this group.
Non-animated franchise movies have also resonated with Gen Z audiences. Films such as “Deadpool & Wolverine,” “Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire,” and “Fast X,” though generally targeting older audiences, have seen the majority of their viewership come from Gen Z.
Beyond franchises, Gen Z is also drawn to romantic dramas, with titles like Colleen Hoover's “It Ends With Us” and “Challengers,” as well as movies based on popular IPs like “Barbie,” which garnered over 40% of its audience from Gen Z.
It’s also worth noting the franchise movies that, while popular, had a lower share of Gen Z viewers. Among Marvel’s recent releases, “Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3,” “The Marvels,” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” saw high initial demand but didn’t resonate with Gen Z as much as "Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness,” the franchise’s most popular movie among this generation. For DC Comics, “The Batman” outperformed “Blue Beetle” in terms of demand, though the latter engaged more with Gen Z.
As this generation continues to grow in influence, understanding their viewing habits will be crucial for the entertainment industry. By leveraging demand data and audience demographics, companies can better tailor their content to meet the interests of Gen Z.
