Written by The debates about streaming replacing movie theaters have been raging on for quite some time now. But Hollywood celebrities continue to push and vouch for cinemas. Recently, Leonardo DiCaprio won the Desert Palm Achievement Award for One Battle After Another. While he was unable to travel due to air restrictions, he sent a pre-recorded message.
Leonardo DiCaprio accepts his Desert Palm Achievement Award remotely due to air travel restrictions in Venezuela: “Movies are still meant to be experiences together in a theater. Right now, that belief matters more than ever.” pic.twitter.com/sPcxeoqn5s— Variety (@Variety) January 4, 2026
In the message, he stated (via Variety):
Movies are still meant to be experienced together in a theater. Right now, that belief matters more than ever. Original films are harder to make and harder to protect, but movies still matter. Not content — but cinema. Stories made by people are meant to be shared in a dark room in a communal experience.
Moreover, in a recent interview with The Times, he questioned whether people still have the appetite for movie theaters.
It’s changing at a lightning speed. We’re looking at a huge transition. First, documentaries disappeared from cinemas. Now, dramas only get finite time and people wait to see it on streamers. I don’t know.
The Oscar winner is one of the many defenders of cinematic integrity. He went on to slam the usage of AI in the film industry, while advocating for theaters.
Hollywood Celebrities on the Importance of Theaters
Christopher Nolan (Credits: @WarnerBrosIndia | YouTube)
Leonardo DiCaprio is not the only celebrity advocating for theaters. Previously, others like Christopher Nolan have also advocated and voiced for theaters, once calling “movies one of the great American art forms” (via IMDb).
Previously, The Dark Knight director wrote a passionate op-ed for movie theaters in The Washington Post. He talked about why movie theaters matter deeply to society and are a place for shared cultural experiences.
When people think about movies, their minds first go to the stars, the studios, the glamour. But the movie business is about everybody: the people working the concession stands, running the equipment, taking tickets, booking movies, selling advertising and cleaning bathrooms in local theaters. Regular people, many paid hourly wages rather than a salary, earn a living running the most affordable and democratic of our community gathering places.
Zendaya also once talked about the same in an interview with Vanity Fair. The actress not only wants her work to be seen in the best format but also to keep movie theaters alive.
There’s a lot of people whose job it is to work at a movie theater. And there’s a lot of smaller, family-owned theaters all over the place that we want to still exist.
More recently, Channing Tatum also spoke candidly about the state of the film industry in a 2025 appearance on Hot Ones with Sean Evans. The Magic Mike star described today’s movie-making business as a confused pipeline, with streaming disrupting traditional filmmaking.
Silent Night, Deadly Night star Rohan Campbell was too stressed about the essence of seeing movies in a movie theatre in an interview with RadioTime.com.
I think it’s all about just focusing on what the spirit or energy of what that first movie does. It’s why it’s so important to go see movies in theatres. [It’s] the collective feeling you get and the communal energy that comes out of the film, I think, is what is at the core of that movie.
His sentiments are similar to what Sinners director Ryan Coogler wrote in an emotional open letter for fans. While thanking fans for watching the film in theaters, he remarked that he believes in cinema and in the theatrical experience.
Pope Leo Urges Hollywood Not to Give Up on Movie Theaters
Pope Leo | Credits: Crux Now Media / YouTube
While Hollywood celebrities have been voicing support for movie theaters and asking fans to support the same, Pope Leo XIV also urged actors, directors, and producers from all over the world to keep making movies (via America Magazine).
I find comfort in the thought that cinema is not just moving pictures — it sets hope in motion! [Cinemas are place for] who carry within their hearts a sense of restlessness and are looking for meaning, justice and beauty.
He called cinemas and theaters the beating hearts of our communities, and urged people to contribute to such cultural centers. Pope Leo made these comments when several Hollywood celebrities joined for a private audience at the Vatican.
In his speech, Pope recognized the challenges facing cinemas, but urged the celebrities not to give up but to cooperate in affirming the social and cultural value of this activity.
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