With the widespread popularity and growth of streaming services and social media, many rumors have circulated that movie theaters would become obsolete and that people, especially Gen Z, would stop going to them. However, a search conducted by the American platform Fandango showed that those born between 1997 and 2012 are the most frequent movie-goers in the United States.
One of the main reasons young audiences are curious about watching new releases in a movie theater is social media. TikTok, Instagram, and X, contrary to what many believe, influence their users when various profiles post and promote upcoming films.
Despite the addiction these apps can create, many people use this digital space to strengthen their bonds with family and friends, making the movie theater one of the perfect settings, thanks to the virality and merchandising that happen through social media.
With this in mind, discover 5 films that went viral on social media and promise to attract, or have already attracted, a large audience at their premieres.
1. Barbie
The story follows Barbie (Margot Robbie) as she lives her perfect life in Barbieland, until she begins to have thoughts about mortality and physical flaws. To solve the problem, she travels to the real world with Ken (Ryan Gosling) and discovers that reality is very different from what she imagined. The film took social media by storm with its “Barbiecore” aesthetic and hilarious memes about Ken’s journey. Directed by Greta Gerwig and produced by Warner Bros, Barbie was one of the biggest cultural and box office hits of 2023. The film is available on HBO Max.
2. It Ends with Us
Released on August 9, 2024, this adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel tells the story of Lily Bloom (Blake Lively), a young woman who moves to Boston to fulfill her dream of opening her own flower shop and begins dating Ryle (Justin Baldoni), a charming neurosurgeon. However, things get complicated when Atlas (Brandon Sklenar), her first childhood love, reappears, and her relationship begins to take a toxic turn. In addition to the soundtrack featuring Taylor Swift, some controversies involving the actors have caught users’ attention. It Ends With Us is available on HBO Max and Prime Video.
3. Project Hail Mary
Project Hail Mary, set to hit theaters on March 19, 2026, blends science fiction and space survival. The story follows Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling), a scientist who wakes up with no memory on a spaceship and discovers he is the sole survivor of a desperate mission to save Earth from extinction. The film went viral on social media for adapting the new bestseller by Andy Weir (author of The Martian), attracting fans of realistic science fiction and mystery. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, and produced by Amazon and MGM Studios, the film is available on Prime Video.
4. Backrooms
Backrooms is a film that blends psychological horror with science fiction. The story revolves around Clark (Chiwetel Ejiofor), an architect and shop owner who notices a strange and mysterious opening in the basement of his antique furniture store and discovers the existence of a parallel, infinite dimension filled with faded hallways, incessantly buzzing lights, and empty rooms.
The film has become very popular on social media because it is based on a creepypasta, a horror story created on the internet, that had already garnered significant attention from horror movie enthusiasts. Directed by Kane Persons and produced by A24, Backrooms opens in theaters on May 28.
5. Avengers: Doomsday
This epic science fiction action film features Marvel’s heroes facing off against the ruthless Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.). The plot follows the Avengers‘ desperate struggle to prevent the collapse of the multiverse and the destruction of their reality. The film broke records on social media and sparked countless fan theories shortly after the cast was announced. Directed by brothers Anthony and Joe Russo (Avengers: Endgame) and produced by Marvel Studios, Avengers: Doomsday is set to premiere in theaters on December 18, 2026.
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The article above was edited by Isabelle Bignardi.
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