The Oscar-winning actor said he is unsure whether audiences still have the desire to see movies on the big screen or if theaters could become rare cultural spaces, similar to jazz bars. Speaking to The Times, DiCaprio described the current moment as a major turning point for cinema.
“It’s changing at a lightning speed,” DiCaprio said. “First, documentaries disappeared from cinemas. Now, dramas only get a short run and people wait to watch them on streaming. I don’t know. Do people still have the appetite?”
He added that he worries theaters could become niche spaces rather than mainstream entertainment venues. “Will cinemas become silos — like jazz bars?” he asked.
Despite his concerns, DiCaprio said he still hopes filmmakers with strong creative visions will continue to get chances to make original films that are meant to be seen in theaters. However, he admitted that the future remains uncertain.
DiCaprio’s comments come at a time when studios are rethinking theatrical releases and focusing more on streaming platforms. Even so, his latest movie, One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, has been a major success, earning more than $205 million worldwide.
Last month, DiCaprio also spoke to Deadline about the challenges facing movie theaters. He said keeping films in cinemas will be “a fight” and described the current period as one of the most important moments in film history.
“We’re up against it — the future of the cinematic experience — more than ever,” he said. “Getting people to come to theaters seems like more and more of a challenge.”
As one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, DiCaprio’s comments highlight growing industry fears about whether the traditional moviegoing experience can survive in a streaming-dominated era.
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