After a two-year lull, last year’s National Cinema Day proved to filmmakers and the movie industry that the appetite for the big screen experience has continued. Fast forward to 2023, from Pathaan, Barbie and Oppenheimer to Gadar 2 and Jawan, footfall in cinemas have shown that theatres aren’t going anywhere.

As the country gets ready to celebrate second National Cinema Day tomorrow, a survey has found that watching movies in the theatre remains the preferred choice of leisure experience for over 90% of the respondents.

- 74% love to keep track of movies that interest them and plan ahead up to three days in advance

- Storyline is the key determinant in making a decision to watch a movie. Blockbuster release, its cast, director, reviews, ratings and trailer are all other relevant factors

- 38% Indians’ favourite companion for the big screen movie outing experience are their friends and family

- 30% responders from Mumbai and Bengaluru each prefer watching a film in the theatre with their plus one – spouse/ partner/date

- 63% respondents think about watching a movie in the theatre at least once a fortnight or more frequently

- 26% of Gen Z and 36% millennials choose the big screen experience for their movie watching outing every week

For 35% of respondents, language or genre is not a deciding factor at all. It is solely based on the movie and its content

- 43% of Mumbaikars choose storyline as the most critical trigger to watch a movie in a theatre, significantly higher than other cities

- 38% of Delhiites choose reviews and ratings as the most critical trigger for them to catch a movie in a theatre

- 32% of Bengaluru cinephiles said that the director is an important factor in their decision to watch a movie