September 25, 2025
Seventy-five percent of adults have streamed a recently released movie in the past year instead of watching it in a theater. Still, a majority of Americans, 65%, have gone to see a movie at the theater at least once. Few people are regularly watching new movies – just 16% go to a movie theater at least monthly and 32% stream a new movie monthly.
Younger adults under the age of 45 more often stream movies and see them in theaters than older adults.
Adults making $100,000 or more a year are more likely than those making less than $50,000 to visit a movie theater (72% v. 54%).
Use of streaming services is widespread with 78% of adults using services like Netflix, Prime, or Disney+. About half watch live TV streaming platforms, including Hulu Live and YouTube TV and slightly less use cable or satellite television.
Adults 45 and older are more likely to use cable or satellite television compared to younger adults (49% v. 25%). More of those making $100,000 or more stream shows on platforms like Netflix than those making under $50,000 (88% v. 70%).
Among those who use cable, satellite, or streaming platforms, about half are satisfied with the availability of tv shows and movies they want to watch. Few are dissatisfied with the library of shows and movies they have access to.
Pricing is a different issue. Roughly half are unhappy with the cost of the streaming and cable services they use while only a quarter are satisfied.
Dissatisfaction with the cost of streaming and cable services is high among all income levels, hovering at about 50% for each.
Yet adults in households making $100,000 or more are more satisfied with the availability of tv shows than those making less than $50,000 (64% v. 47%). Those 45 years of age or older are more likely to feel dissatisfied than younger adults with the cost of cable and streaming services (55% v. 42%).
The nationwide poll was conducted August 21-25, 2025, using the AmeriSpeak® Panel, the probability-based panel of NORC at the University of Chicago. Online and telephone interviews using landlines and cell phones were conducted with 1,182 adults. The overall margin of sampling error is +/- 3.8 percentage points.
- Suggested Citation: AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. “More people are enjoying movies from the comfort of home.” (September 2025). https://apnorc.org/projects/more-people-are-enjoying-movies-from-the-comfort-of-home/
