Moviegoing in the US: Trends, Habits & the Rise of Streaming
As the Academy Awards approach, a key question for the film industry is whether Americans are returning to movie theaters. While some films nominated for awards in 2026 have seen significant box office success, the rise of streaming services has undeniably altered moviegoing habits. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, about half of Americans (53%) said they had seen a movie in theaters in the past year.
This article breaks down the current state of moviegoing in the U.S., examining who is going to the movies, how habits have changed over time, and what factors are influencing these trends. We’ll also detail the methodology behind the Pew Research Center’s findings.
Who is Going to the Movies?
The Pew Research Center survey revealed demographic patterns in moviegoing. Younger adults are significantly more likely to have seen a movie in theaters recently. Roughly two-thirds of those ages 18 to 29 (67%) had gone to a movie in the past year, compared with 39% of those ages 65 and older.
Other demographic differences were also observed:
- Hispanic adults: 59% of Hispanic adults reported seeing a movie in theaters, compared to 53% of White adults and 49% of Black adults.
- Income: Moviegoing was more common among those with higher incomes, with 64% of adults in the upper-income bracket having gone to a movie, compared to 57% of those with middle incomes and 43% of those with lower incomes.
- Political affiliation: 58% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents had been to a movie theater, compared to half of Republicans and Republican leaners.
There was little difference between men (53%) and women (54%) in their likelihood of having gone to a movie theater.
A Look Back at Moviegoing Trends
The peak year for movie ticket sales in the U.S. And Canada was 2002, with 1.6 billion tickets sold – nearly five tickets per person, according to data from Nash Information Services. This period coincided with the release of several major franchises, including “Spider-Man,” “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,” “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” and “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.”
Domestic ticket sales plunged during the pandemic and still haven’t fully recovered
Number of movie tickets sold in the U.S. and Canada, in millions
Source: Nash Information Services.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Domestic ticket sales plunged during the pandemic and still haven’t fully recovered
Number of movie tickets sold in the U.S. and Canada, in millions
| Year | # of tickets sold (in millions) |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1221.8 |
| 1996 | 1305.8 |
| 1997 | 1349.8 |
| 1998 | 1445.1 |
| 1999 | 1452.4 |
| 2000 | 1401.8 |
| 2001 | 1437.3 |
| 2002 | 1570.0 |
| 2003 | 1528.6 |
| 2004 | 1512.2 |
| 2005 | 1377.0 |
| 2006 | 1406.2 |
| 2007 | 1406.4 |
| 2008 | 1360.5 |
| 2009 | 1418.5 |
| 2010 | 1326.7 |
| 2011 | 1284.6 |
| 2012 | 1353.7 |
| 2013 | 1345.5 |
| 2014 | 1279.4 |
| 2015 | 1332.8 |
| 2016 | 1316.6 |
| 2017 | 1230.8 |
| 2018 | 1300.1 |
| 2019 | 1229.7 |
| 2020 | 231.6 |
| 2021 | 444.0 |
| 2022 | 702.1 |
| 2023 | 819.0 |
| 2024 | 760.8 |
| 2025 | 769.2 |
Source: Nash Information Services.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
The pandemic caused a dramatic drop in moviegoing, and while numbers have been recovering, they remain below pre-pandemic levels. In 2025, ticket sales were still about half of what they were in 2002.