I saw 34 movies in theaters this year, and I can't wait to do it again next year. Here's how the movies won Gen Z back.

• Gen Z movie theater attendance jumped 25% in 2025; I was one of those Gen Zers at the movies.
• AMC A-List and similar programs offer affordable, frequent moviegoing for younger audiences.
• Gen Z is craving in-person experiences and phone-free third spaces, fueling a resurgence in moviegoing.

I love going to the movies.

It's been called a dying pastime in the age of streaming, but, as one luminary — Nicole Kidman — said, "we come to this place for magic."

I've seen at least 34 movies in theaters this year, driven mostly by my AMC A-list subscription. It's hard to nail down an exact count because some tickets were booked by friends or loved ones. My favorites included "Sinners," "One Battle After Another," and "Kiss of the Spider Woman." On the other hand, "Jurassic World Rebirth" left something to be desired, although it was still pretty fun in Dolby surround sound on the big screen.

Mine are rookie numbers compared to some of my fellow movie subscription holders, but I still count myself part of a larger trend. Continued high prices, a craving for experiences, and a desire for phone-free third spaces might be driving a mini moviegoing Renaissance.

When I spoke to fellow A-Listers earlier this year, some cited movies as filling a need for activity or community; one had quit drinking and replaced his going-out cadence with seeing movies instead. Another liked having a phone-free activity that she and her husband could enjoy together.

I enjoy that I can add friends who also subscribe to my "entourage" and book tickets on their behalf (or vice versa) — no extensive group chats, excessive planning, or additional costs necessary.

A-Lister or not, Gen Z is going to the movies more; my generation's moviegoing frequency increased by 25% year-over-year, according to a December 2025 report from trade organization Cinema United.

Gen Zers saw 6.1 movies on average in 2025, an increase from 4.9 visits the year prior. Forty-one percent said they go to the movies at least six times a year, up from 31% in 2022. I welcome my fellow movie freaks with open arms.

Movie subscriptions and a phone-free, in-person experience

As an AMC A-Lister, I pay around $20 to $30 monthly for four movies a week — a limit I've personally never hit, but one that I know can prove too few for the more hardcore A-Lister community.

Per the Cinema United report, loyalty members in North America increased 15% from 2024. The economics increasingly make sense: For a flat monthly fee, you get not just nearly unlimited access to movies, but a built-in guarantee of an experience.

For a generation that has shown a willingness to cancel streaming subscriptions when they feel too pricey and has watched some of their favorite shows or movies get wiped from streaming entirely, an in-person subscription might offer a certain appeal.

As theaters increasingly invest in better concessions and facilities, it's a win-win; an industry analysis from IBISWorld finds that increased investment in experiences, along with a greater emphasis on subscriptions and partnerships, will help propel movie theater revenue to grow from $16 billion in 2025 to a forecast $17.3 billion in 2030.

While movie theater subscriptions aren't the cheapest form of entertainment, they've become more reasonable in an inflationary landscape. To me, it falls under what I've termed the Theme Park Food Paradox. Theme park food once seemed outrageously expensive, but as prices for everything skyrocketed, it became more reasonable.

Entertainment activities, such as movies — especially in New York City, where I'm based — saw similar sweeping increases, making my movie consumption feel much more reasonable. Without a subscription, I can easily spend nearly $30 on a movie ticket — pretty much the price of my monthly fee.

As prices rise for other pastimes, movies are becoming an increasingly sensible choice for my wallet. A low-key dinner out in New York City usually runs me $30 to $50. Cocktail and wine prices have only crept up; I feel lucky to find a happy hour that gets any drink price into the single digits. The dollar slice is long dead. Comparatively, my movie spending yields me a consistent, fun, and already-subscribed-to experience.

With an exciting slate of new releases next year, chief among them Christopher Nolan's IMAX-dominating "The Odyssey," I have no plans to slow down. In fact, I've already tacked another subscription onto my AMC A-list: I bought a yearlong Popcorn Pass that gives me half off a large popcorn every time I go. Here's to a salty, buttery, movie-filled New Year.

Are you planning to spend more on movies next year, or do you already frequent the theater? Do you prefer an analog hobby? Contact this reporter at jkaplan@businessinsider.com.