Art House Convergence today released findings from its 2026 National Audience Survey, surveying more than 27,000 moviegoers across 50+ independent cinemas nationwide. The results, announced at the IND/EX conference in Chicago and reported exclusively by Variety, show continued audience growth, strong community connection, and an influx of younger moviegoers into the art house space.
Among the findings: 88% of respondents identify their local art house as the cultural hub of their community, and 91% say the theatre elevates the experience of living there. More than 70% rate their preferred indie cinema as “very” or “extremely valuable” to their overall quality of life.
AHC member theatre grosses are up 8.8% year over year and 38% over 2019, according to data from Rentrak.
The survey also points to a generational shift. Nearly one in four respondents began attending their preferred art house within the last three years. The average age of those new attendees is 40, eleven years younger than the overall survey average of 51. Of recent attendees, 68% are under 45.
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