A recent CivicScience survey of 2,019 U.S. adults sheds light on how Americans prefer to experience movies in theaters, and the answers reveal a wide range of viewing styles. More than a third of respondents (36%) say they prefer watching movies with just one other person, while 30% avoid going to the theater altogether. Meanwhile, 10% enjoy attending movies alone, and another 10% prefer going with a group.
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Men are more likely than women to head to the theater alone, making up 56% of solo moviegoers. This tendency is most common among adults aged 45–54 and 35–44, who account for 19% and 18% of solo attendees, respectively. Income appears to be a contributing factor as well—29% of those who prefer going solo earn under $30,000 annually. In terms of education, individuals with a high school diploma or GED make up the largest share of solo-goers at 32%. Living environment also plays a role: urban residents, especially those in cities, are more likely to attend movies alone, comprising 39% of this group.
Group moviegoers—who also represent 10% of the population surveyed—tend to look a bit different demographically. Younger audiences are more inclined to attend in groups, particularly those aged 18–24 and 35–44, each making up 22% of group attendees. The gender split is more balanced among this group, with 53% male and 47% female. Group moviegoers are also more likely to fall into higher income brackets, with 21% earning between $75,000 and $99,999 annually. Education levels vary, but those with a high school diploma (31%) or some college education (22%) make up the bulk of this audience. Suburbanites are especially drawn to group outings, accounting for 37% of group-goers.
Family status appears to influence these preferences, too. Among solo moviegoers, 27% are parents and 20% are grandparents, suggesting that solo outings may offer a rare chance for personal time. On the other hand, 41% of group moviegoers are parents, pointing to the appeal of movie nights as family or social bonding experiences.
Altogether, the findings highlight how factors like age, income, education, and lifestyle shape Americans’ moviegoing habits. Whether it’s the quiet focus of a solo trip or the shared excitement of a group outing, how people go to the movies offers a glimpse into broader patterns of social behavior and personal preference.
This article’s data comes solely from CivicScience’s database, which contains nearly 700,000 poll questions and 5 billion consumer insights. Our AI content creation tool, DataScribe, supported the article.