Podcast Summary: The Big Picture – "The Gen Z Movie Focus Group"
Release Date: April 1, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of The Big Picture, hosted by Amanda Dobbins from The Ringer, the spotlight shines on Generation Z’s relationship with movies. Titled "The Gen Z Movie Focus Group," this episode converges insights from a panel of young Ringer colleagues—Jade Whaley, Jack Sanders, and Jomi Adenaran—as they dissect how Gen Z engages with cinema in today’s digital age. The discussion navigates through viewing habits, influential films, and the evolving landscape of movie consumption post-pandemic.
Panel Introduction
Amanda Dobbins kicks off the episode by introducing her panel:
- Jade Whaley: Producer at The Ringer, producer on Jam Session, and a former AMC Stubs member.
- Jack Sanders: A dedicated member of The Big Picture’s younger demographic and an avid moviegoer.
- Jomi Adenaran: Social content producer at The Ringer and representative of the zillennial (cusp between Millennials and Gen Z).
Viewing Habits of Gen Z
The conversation begins with exploring how Gen Z consumes movies today. The panelists discuss their preferences between theatrical releases and streaming services, highlighting a shift towards digital consumption accelerated by the pandemic.
- Jade Whaley (03:30): "The last month, maybe like two or three movies at home."
- Jack Sanders (16:31): "Thirteen movies in the last month, five of which were in theaters."
Impact of Social Media and Screen Time
Amanda probes into the impact of social media on movie-watching habits. The panel acknowledges the pervasive influence of platforms like TikTok and Instagram, which often overshadow traditional movie experiences.
- Amy Poehler (21:36): "Too much time on TikTok... keep swiping."
- Jack Sanders (22:04): "Look at Instagram all day long... looking at myself like, Do I need to go outside?"
Childhood Movie Experiences
Reflecting on their formative years, panelists reminisce about how movies played a pivotal role in their childhood entertainment. They recall the days of VHS tapes, DVDs, and iconic family outings to the cinema.
- Jade Whaley (24:20): "Disney original movies were like huge. High School Musical, Cheetah Girls."
- Jack Sanders (26:03): "High School Musical being an event film in elementary school... that was one of the Gen Z top."
The Most Important Movies to Gen Z
Amanda poses a critical question: “What is, in your opinion, the most important movie to Gen Z?” The responses highlight a blend of blockbuster successes and culturally impactful films.
- Jack Sanders (38:07): “Avengers: Endgame and Lady Bird. Endgame is the biggest event film of our generation.”
- Amy Poehler (42:25): “Shrek. I can't let that slide.”
Jack elaborates on Avengers: Endgame as a unifying cinematic event that encapsulates Gen Z’s collective movie-watching experience, while also endorsing Lady Bird for its authentic coming-of-age narrative resonating with Gen Z’s digital upbringing.
Biggest Movie Stars in the World According to Gen Z
When asked about the biggest movie stars, the panelists reveal a preference for established actors, with a nod to contemporary actors gaining prominence.
- Amy Poehler (53:56): “Robert Downey Jr. as my goat. He changed their lives... He leaves, wins an Oscar.”
- Jack Sanders (58:07): “Chalamet or DiCaprio, but leaning towards Chalamet for his upward trajectory.”
Jade contends with recognizing enduring stars like Tom Cruise and Leonardo DiCaprio, while also acknowledging emerging talents like Zendaya, reflecting Gen Z’s appreciation for both legacy actors and new icons.
Social Aspect: Discussing Movies with Friends
The panel emphasizes the social dimension of movie-watching, where shared experiences foster discussions and strengthen friendships.
- Jade Whaley (63:10): “Watching Wicked and Barbie with friends. Group chat, discourse all over the place.”
- Jack Sanders (64:31): “Movies are the number one thing we talk about.”
Amanda notes that movies serve as a cultural touchstone, facilitating conversations and communal experiences among Gen Z peers.
Changes in Movie Consumption Post-Pandemic
The discussion shifts to how the pandemic has reshaped movie consumption. Panelists observe a decline in traditional theater-going, replaced by an abundance of streaming options.
- Jack Sanders (66:53): “Pandemic fast-tracking every movie available at your fingertips accelerated this whole problem we're currently facing.”
- Jade Whaley (82:25): “Waves of movies come out, big heavy hitters with big names.”
While acknowledging the challenges, Jack remains optimistic that movies will retain their cultural relevance, albeit in transformed formats.
Lightning Round: Favorite Recent Movies and Upcoming Releases
In a rapid-fire segment, panelists share their favorite movies from the past year and eagerly anticipated upcoming releases.
- Jade Whaley (73:53): “Wicked. Saw Barbie with friends.”
- Jack Sanders (77:00): “Dune Part Two, Worst Person in the World, West Side Story (Steven Spielberg version).”
- Amy Poehler (77:30): “Everything Everywhere All At Once. Black Bag.”
The assortment of favorites underscores diverse tastes, from blockbuster sequels to indie gems, and showcases anticipation for new cinematic endeavors like the sequel to Wicked.
Conclusion: The State of Movies for Gen Z
Amanda wraps up the episode by synthesizing the panel’s insights, acknowledging the evolving landscape where digital consumption and social media play significant roles. While there's a nostalgic appreciation for traditional movie-going and iconic films, the future of cinema for Gen Z appears resilient, adapting to technological advancements and shifting cultural dynamics.
- Jack Sanders (83:37): “It's hard not to believe that movies will ever be entirely erased from the culture. I just don't think it's going to happen.”
- Amy Poehler (84:24): “As long as we stay watching these movies, go into theaters, the movie theaters will never die.”
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Amanda Dobbins (02:37): “Can you comment on TikTok? Well, you can comment, but can you DM?”
- Jack Sanders (17:06): “They don't receive a single dollar. Any of the employees, they all do it. They're all volunteers.”
- Jack Sanders (38:07): “Endgame is the biggest event film of our generation where even if you didn't care about Avengers, you can remember what the scene was like when that movie was in theaters.”
- Amy Poehler (53:56): “Robert Downey Jr. is my goat... he changed their lives.”
- Jack Sanders (57:05): “Zendaya would be the only one.”
- Jade Whaley (63:10): “Wicked and Barbie with friends. Group chat, discourse all over the place.”
Final Thoughts
"The Gen Z Movie Focus Group" offers a comprehensive exploration of how Generation Z interacts with cinema amidst a digital revolution. Through candid discussions and personal anecdotes, the episode paints a vivid picture of a generation balancing traditional movie experiences with modern, technology-driven consumption. As movies continue to evolve, Gen Z stands at the forefront, shaping and being shaped by the ever-changing cinematic landscape.