Teens Favor Hopeful Stories and Unknown Actors

A new study reveals that adolescent media preferences prioritize relatable content and inclusive character portrayals.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Teens

Teens Favor Hopeful Stories and Unknown Actors

Live Poll

Do you prefer seeing new, unknown actors in movies rather than familiar, established celebrities?

The Center for Scholars & Storytellers released the Teens & Screens Study, which surveyed over 1,500 adolescents to determine their media habits and preferences. The findings show that teens prioritize hopeful, relatable narratives while favoring new acting talent over established stars or influencers.

Why it matters

The research highlights a disconnect between current industry casting trends and the preferences of Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences. Understanding these desires allows creators to better align content with the values of their largest demographic.

Nearly 40% of survey respondents prefer casting unknown actors in films, compared to just 16.8% who support casting influencers. Additionally, while only 2.8% of characters in 2025 movies had a disability, 55% of teens want to see increased representation.

The players

The Center for Scholars & Storytellers

This research organization gathers groups of adolescents to review and provide feedback on proposed television and movie scripts.

The details

Teens identified partying, drugs, and alcohol as their least preferred themes, ranking friendships and hopeful life stories at the top of their list. The study, which was weighted to reflect U.S. Census demographics, also notes that movies remain a preferred weekend activity when financial and logistical barriers are removed.

In 2025, disability representation in top movies reached 2.8%.
On October 22, 2026, the Teens & Screens Summit takes place at UCLA.

Culture Shift

This research marks a significant departure from legacy studio strategies that rely heavily on established A-list stars and traditional influencer marketing. By favoring unknown actors and authentic representation, Gen Z is actively reshaping the requirements for media commercial success.

The findings suggest that viewers can expect a potential shift in casting and storytelling approaches as production companies attempt to capture this demographic. These preferences may influence future streaming and theatrical content to be more inclusive and story-focused.

The takeaway

Media creators should note that the target demographic is actively seeking hopeful content and authentic representation rather than celebrity-led spectacles. Implementing these insights into production and casting strategies may help developers better resonate with modern adolescent audiences.