Entertainment · Film · 19 hrs ago
Inde Navarrette Says Gen Z Wants Original Films Without Product Placement
Actor Inde Navarrette says Gen Z wants original films that do not make audiences feel they are being sold something.
She said young viewers are tired of ads and product placement in movies, even though she recognizes that advertising is part of the business.
Her film “Obsession” became a major box-office hit, earning $522 million worldwide after being made for less than $1 million.
The horror film’s success included four straight weekends of rising box-office earnings, with word of mouth helping it reach young audiences.
A Fandango study found 87% of Gen Z saw a movie in theaters over a year, more than any other age group in the study.
Navarrette’s comments matter to Hollywood because young audiences are active moviegoers who value original stories and the shared experience of going to a theater.
Inde Navarrette said Gen Z wants original films and does not want to feel that movies are selling products to them.
She made the comments on “The Kyle Buchanan Show,” discussing how Hollywood could keep young audiences interested in theaters.
Navarrette said viewers are tired of ads and product placement in movies, while acknowledging that advertising is fundamental.
She said audiences want original stories and human experiences, and that “Obsession” brought those qualities to the table.
“Obsession,” starring Navarrette and Michael Johnston, earned $522 million globally after being produced for less than $1 million, Variety reported.
- Who
- Inde Navarrette, breakout star of “Obsession.
- What
- She said Gen Z wants original films and is tired of ads and product placement in movies.
- When
- October 22, 2026, when Variety published its report. The interview date is not stated.
- Where
- On “The Kyle Buchanan Show.” The location is not stated.
- Why
- Navarrette was offering advice to Hollywood on keeping Gen Z audiences interested in going to movie theaters.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Obsession” dominated the box office and earned $522 million globally, according to Variety.
Variety published Navarrette’s comments from “The Kyle Buchanan Show.
- Global box office
- Obsession” earned $522 million.
- Production cost
- Obsession” was produced for less than $1 million.
- Movie theater visits
- 87% of Gen Zers and 82% of millennials saw at least one movie theatrically over a year, according to a Fandango study cited by Variety.
- Average annual visits
- Gen Z and millennials each averaged about seven theater visits per year in the study.
- Report date
- October 22, 2026
What people are saying
Gen Z just wants to go to something that they don’t feel like they’re being sold.
Maybe we are tired constantly of having ads in movies or production placement and all of these things.
We want original stories.
Just because we’re living in the time of technology doesn’t mean we’re not living a human life or feel human experiences.