Actor Leonardo DiCaprio has warned that the film industry is passing through a critical turning point: traditional movie theaters are losing popularity while streaming platforms continue to strengthen their position. He raised these concerns in an interview with The Times, reflecting on how viewing habits and distribution have shifted in recent years.
DiCaprio noted that the change is already visible in what gets theatrical runs. Documentaries have largely disappeared from cinema schedules, and dramatic films now receive only brief windows in theaters because many viewers prefer to wait for their release on streaming services. He questioned whether audiences still have the same appetite for the theatrical experience and suggested that cinemas risk becoming niche venues, compared by analogy to jazz bars.
Despite his worries, DiCaprio expressed hope for the medium. He said he wants enough genuine visionaries to have the opportunity to produce works so distinctive and compelling that they justify screening in cinemas, preserving at least some space for big-screen storytelling.
Earlier, DiCaprio also commented on audience reactions to his own work, noting that small children and teenagers tend to particularly enjoy the film The Wolf of Wall Street.