What Do Gen Z’s Favorite Movies Say About Their Values?
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As a collective, Gen Z is known for their love of films. Whether this has to do with their long-term consumption of digital media, or the simple accessibility technology brings, Gen Z is deeply rooted in film culture. However, this statement begs the question of what kinds of films they appreciate and why they feel so strongly about them. Gen Z has plenty of characteristics that make them unique as a generation, but which unifying traits are responsible for influencing their taste in movies?
While various films have encapsulated Gen Z as an audience, recurring trends and tropes reveal the generation’s values and beliefs. Of course, there are a few outliers since taste is not one-size-fits-all; however, there are three overarching themes that Gen Z tends to gravitate towards and resonate with.
Firstly, and most predictably, is the classic coming-of-age story. Though this theme appears to be relatively straightforward, the net it casts in the film industry has a wide range, especially for stories about Gen Z. Popular films such as Napoleon Dynamite (2004), Superbad (2007), and The Edge of Seventeen (2016) capture the essence of adolescence, the struggles that come with growing up, and the grapples of identity navigation, demonstrating relatability. However, other films such as Eighth Grade (2018), Love, Simon (2018), The Fallout (2021), and The Hate U Give (2018) channel Gen Z’s narratives by specifically incorporating portrayals of the effects of social media use, racial and LGBTQ+ representation, and mental health adversities, among many other aspects of Gen Z life. These themes point to the idea that Gen Z loves a film with characters and stories they can relate to, especially considering the hardships they have experienced as they “came of age.” This authenticity allows their feelings to be validated, their voices to be heard, and their experiences to be acknowledged.
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Whether it is a comfort watch or something familiar, nostalgic films are next on Gen Z’s list. The world has not been an easy place for Gen Z to find themselves in, let alone live in, which makes nostalgic movies all the more pleasing. These films tend to consist of anything from beloved animations like Shrek (2001) and Ratatouille (2007) to comedic classics like The Hangover (2009) and Mamma Mia! (2008), as well as every superhero film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU); films that Gen Z grew up watching and have rewatched to the point of real-time quoting. Gen Z has already had so many hard pills to swallow, like witnessing countless national tragedies, overwhelming living costs, and a global pandemic, to name a few. It makes sense that they would want to wind down with an easy-to-watch film they can escape into and forget about everything else for a little while. These nostalgic films remind Gen Z of a time when things may have been simpler, happier, and less stressful, boosting their appeal even more. To bask in this familiarity and stability for even a couple of brief hours can have so much more value than traditional entertainment, and Gen Z has certainly recognized that.
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This last category, although broad, has one unifying trait: complex emotion. These cinematically intense films have captivated Gen Z’s attention due to their potential for escapism, similar to the nostalgic movies, but contrastingly leave room for abstract concepts, depictions of social commentary, societal fears, and gut-wrenching fervor. Movies ranging from dramas like The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) and La La Land (2016) to thrillers like Parasite (2019) and Get Out (2017) all appear to have gripped the minds and tugged at the heartstrings of Gen Z. Something about the vividness of intense emotion fused with bold criticisms scratch Gen Z’s itch to both deeply resonate with these stories and address societal issues. It is incredibly apparent that Gen Z longs for authentic and relevant films, and this category captures each of these qualities; they are sometimes unconventional, usually gripping, and always powerful.
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To say that Gen Z loves films would be an understatement, but only after realizing their values are embedded within these precious films can we fully grasp their passion for them. Whether it’s a means to cope with their past, escape to a fantastical reality, or obtain the slightest validation they need, I hope Gen Z can continue to rest, recover, and relate through film.
Strike Out,
Writer: Isabelle Krukoski
Editor: Layne Schulte
Tallahassee