When cinemas closed during the pandemic and streaming platforms surged, some predicted that this would mark the end of traditional moviegoing and the curtains would close on cinema forever.
And while the cinema industry is recovering, figures are still trailing behind those pre-pandemic, the UK Cinema Association’s (UCA) box office and cinema admissions figures show.
Box office revenue peaked in 2017 at £1.3bn, with figures dipping slightly pre-pandemic with figures of £1.25bn in 2019.
Compared to 2025, the UK box office generated just £989m, though this is up 1.2% from 2024 according to UCA.
In addition, cinema admission fell to £124 million in 2025, a 2.4% drop from 2024 and 42% lower than 2019 admissions.
Phil Clapp, chief executive of UCA, said: “Cinema’s recovery has undoubtedly not been as rapid as we would have hoped.”
Clapp pointed out that the pandemic wasn’t the only challenge the cinema industry had been facing.
There had also been writers’ and actors’ strikes in the US in 2023, as well as the ongoing cost of living crisis experienced by the cinemagoing public.
Clapp added: “Despite the challenges, the overwhelming majority of those who were cinema-goers before Covid have now returned.
“The film slate for 2026 is the strongest it has been since the pandemic and we are hopeful that it will help ensure that this year represents a major step towards getting back to those pre-covid levels of engagement.”
Against expectations, young people are emerging at the forefront of cinema engagement, despite growing up in a digital age.
Recent figures from Digital Cinema Media (DCM) show that 78% of 16-34 year-olds identify as cinemagoers.
For the majority of this diverse age group, streaming services and social media act as default forms of entertainment, so questions are raised around why cinema remains culturally relevant for a digital generation.
Clapp said: “The industry is recognising the need now more than ever to make a trip to the cinema an event.
“All we have seen since the pandemic confirms that the attachment of the public to the big screen remains as strong as ever.
“The response to the Barbenheimer phenomenon in 2023 is an example of the hold that cinema continues to have on popular culture.”
The industry is steering towards creating new experiences and events that this generation wants to be a part of.
Casey Cohen, Vice President of Marketing at Cineworld said: “Gen Z is driving cinema culture in a way that’s all about experience, community and shareability.”
TikTok also plays an important role for cinema, as a platform that drives ongoing buzz before and after a film’s release, sustaining the interest of the digital generation through fan-driven content.
Social media, often blamed for fragmented attention spans, is playing an important role in the younger generation attending the cinema.
A study by Cinema United, titled ‘Built by Fandom’ highlights how online conversations on TikTok correlate with ticket sales.
In 2025, an average of 6.5 million posts about film and television were shared daily on TikTok.
The hashtags of #FilmTok and #MovieTok have become hubs where users recommend films, share their reactions and create viral trends.
TikTok influencer Chloe Fay, 24, creates content focused on film recommendations and her opinions on the latest releases.
She believes that short-form content genuinely influences whether people decide to watch a film or not.
Fay said: “Viewers want to see films first to be part of conversations had on TikTok. The more people talk about films, the more people attend the cinema.”
Fay’s perspective reflects a broader trend that cinema is becoming a social experience that counters the isolation often associated with digital life.
Nearly two-thirds of respondents to a DCM survey agreed that cinema helps people feel less isolated.
Young people are arguably dismantling this anti-moviegoing rhetoric as the shared experience of the cinema offers laughter, silence and anticipation, something that is missing when watching a film at home.
For this generation, seeing a film isn’t just about entertainment, it’s about being part of a shared cultural moment and joining the conversation while it remains relevant.
Half of 16–34-year-olds will watch a film on its opening night, DCM stats reveal, largely to avoid spoilers, but also because of a fear of missing out (FOMO) culture.
Growing up online, 16-34 year-olds are constantly in touch with the latest memes, trends, gossip, and viral moments.
Being in the know has become more valuable than ever, if you’re not, you risk missing the moment entirely.
Cinemagoing has therefore adopted a now or never mentality as reflected by audience behaviour.
This age group dominates blockbuster opening weeks, making up the majority of early audiences, while also remaining the largest demographic attending films even a month after release.
Their enthusiasm and anticipation help shape the cultural relevance and longevity of cinema releases.
Young people also love cinema because it offers something increasingly rare – a chance to disconnect from the digital world.
In a world governed by algorithms and endless scrolling, the immersive experience of cinema provides escapism.
There are no districations, no second screens and everyone is immersed in the action on one big screen.
Films are demonstrably succeeding through this blend of online and offline culture that the younger generation and social media have created.
Rising cinema ticket prices don’t seem to be steering younger audiences away either, with many still believing cinema is an affordable activity.
Ticket prices have risen in line with inflation, with the average ticket costing around £8 compared with just an average of £4.70 in 2005.
Despite this increase, the price remains relatively modest in today’s landscape, where few activities can still be accessed under £10, compared to the likes of clubbing or concerts.
Clapp revealed that the money is going in the right direction.
He added: “we are seeing massive investment in the cinema experience, be that bigger screens or sound, recliners and sofas and upscale food offerings.”
Far from replacing traditional moviegoing, young people are reshaping it.
Social media, particularly TikTok has transformed films into viral events that young audiences want to experience together.
Cinema offers an escape from the brain rot of online culture while still allowing audiences to feel connected to the content they engage with.
With cinemas continuing to maintain a strong cultural presence and a wide range of films consistently attracting viewers, Clapp sees “no sign of that going away, let alone dying”.
Feature image credit: Charlie Speed
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