Core Insights - The summer box office for 2023 reached 11.97 billion, which is on par with 2024 but significantly lower than 20.3 billion in 2023, marking one of the weakest summers in the past decade [1] - Despite the release of eight new films rated above 8 on Douban since June, the audience turnout remained low, indicating a shift in content consumption habits and societal emotions [2][3] Audience Demographics - The primary audience for this summer's films was aged 25 to 34, with the 90s generation being the main viewers, while the proportion of college students and teenagers was less than 20% [4] - Compared to 2019, the main viewing demographic has aged by about five years, with a notable decline in the under-20 audience, which previously accounted for over 10% [4][5] Long-term Trends - The decline in young viewers is not sudden; even in 2023, there was a noticeable drop in the proportion of teenagers and college students, while the 25 to 34 age group increased [6] - The trend of young audiences abandoning cinemas is a long-term issue, influenced by both internal industry problems and external factors such as the rise of online content [7][8] Industry Challenges - The film industry experienced rapid growth from 2014 to 2019, but post-2020, the pandemic severely impacted audience habits and film supply, leading to a perception of higher risks in cinema attendance [8][9] - The high cost of tickets and a lack of appealing films have made cinema less attractive, especially for younger audiences who have developed alternative entertainment habits [9][10] Emotional Connection in Film - Recent successful films have resonated with widespread emotions, addressing societal issues and tapping into national pride, which has become crucial for box office success [13][14] - Films that generate significant online discussion and social engagement tend to perform better, as they become a form of social currency [16][17] Future Directions - The film industry must understand the evolving expectations of audiences and create content that resonates with their emotions and experiences [20][21] - A shift towards creating films that connect with ordinary people's sentiments is essential for future success, moving away from solely targeting niche audiences [22]