Independent theaters reported a 9% increase in business in 2025, according to the first National Audience Survey by Art House Convergence. The results, released Monday at the IND/EX conference in Chicago, highlight strong support from newer and younger moviegoers.
The survey of 27,000 moviegoers found that 25% of respondents started attending their preferred art house theaters within the last three years. These new attendees averaged 40 years old, 11 years younger than the overall average of 51, with 68% under 45.
More than 70% described their local theater as very or extremely valuable to their quality of life. Nearly all agreed the venues offer unique films, while 88% called them cultural hubs in their communities.
Lela Meadow-Conner, interim executive director of Art House Convergence, said audiences continue to rally around local independent theaters despite challenges like shortened theatrical windows. Ryan Oestreich, general manager of Chicago’s Music Box Theatre, noted attendance there has grown 10-15% annually since returning to pre-pandemic levels in 2023.
The conference continues through Thursday, with a screening of Sorry to Bother You on Tuesday featuring filmmaker Boots Riley.