Why is everyone into series more than movies these days?

I’m making a bit of a generalization here, but most of my friends in their 20s and 30s seem to live exclusively for series, rarely ever touching a movie.

When they actually do sit down for a movie, it’s always some recent blockbuster, strictly in English, a Hollywood production, and it absolutely has to have over 100,000 votes on IMDb. Heaven forbid they watch some French or Korean film that only has a few thousand votes...

It’s the exact same story with series—it’s either Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, and the top 50 shows sorted by popularity, or nothing at all.

What’s the deal here: is it just pure trend-following, a total lack of will to actually dig deeper, or just mindlessly swallowing whatever content is the most popular?

I don't see it that way—series and movies are two entirely different beasts, and frankly, I have a deep appreciation for both.

A series works by hooking you and refusing to let go; the best ones allow you to just "dip in" episode by episode, consuming them at your own pace...

But a movie? You can't just "dip in" to a movie. A movie has to be crafted as a single, living entity that you present to an audience—and if you mess up that singular vision... well, you've failed. Period.

So, if I’m forced to weigh the two, I’d argue that making a movie is actually the harder feat given that high-stakes context. If I absolutely had to pick a side, I’d lean toward cinema—but honestly, why bother? As I said, they belong to different worlds, and there's no reason anyone should feel pressured to choose one over the other.🙂

Look, don't get me wrong, I have nothing against a good series, but I just don't get this whole obsession with bingeing shows instead of watching movies. :-)

A lot of series end up having a disappointing finale or just lose steam in later seasons, leaving you feeling like you wasted a massive chunk of your life. With a movie, you put in an hour or two and then move on to something else.

If you spend all that time on a series where the writing goes completely to hell by season four, you could have easily watched a dozen high-quality movies in that same window.

So, I mostly just stick to movies; I haven't really dove headfirst into series much, maybe just *Prison Break* and a few others, but I don't know, I guess I'm just too lazy to download entire series when I can just grab a movie and get straight to it. It honestly bugs me how most people only care about whatever just hit theaters—I have a few friends who are exactly like that—and then they have the nerve to act like I'm stuck in the past because I prefer older stuff. For me, it’s all about whether the movie is actually good, regardless of whether it came out yesterday or decades ago; I find myself gravitating toward the classics from the 80s and 90s most of the time, though I'll pick up something newer if the plot actually looks interesting enough..

These two were both pretty great in my book..

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109890/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0307901/

And I'm supposed to skip one just because it's "old"? Why on earth would you toss aside something that's genuinely good? Honestly, some people just baffle me 😲 it's like I shouldn't listen to a song just because it isn't a current hit on the radio, haha

Some stories just don't fit into a tiny 2-hour movie—a series is way better for long arcs with huge casts and all those parallel plotlines. But honestly, in practice, it feels like a way to hypnotize people into getting lost in a fictional world for way longer... which basically gives creators more minutes to sneak in propaganda, I guess. Plus, it’s easier to get hooked—nobody has the patience to watch a single movie three times because everything moves so fast now with social media and all that. Nobody wants to miss a single scene in a hit series, so everyone’s just waiting to see how the story unfolds.

A movie doesn't really have anything to offer here—just two hours and then it's over. These days, a series can basically feel like one giant movie; binge-watching is pretty much the standard now, right? You just sit down and hammer through episodes for like five hours straight.

I haven't even touched Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, or any other massive, cult-favorite series—vampire stuff or otherwise. Maybe once everyone else stops obsessing over them will I finally take a look.

I’ve officially run out of patience for TV series. I stick to movies now; the way modern shows drag things out over endless seasons is just exhausting > 🤣
The last series I actually sat through with any devotion was The Sopranos.

William Hall93 said:Look, don't get me wrong, I have nothing against a good series, but I just don't get this whole obsession with bingeing shows instead of watching movies. :-)

A lot of series end up having a disappointing finale or just lose steam in later seasons, leaving you feeling like you wasted a massive chunk of your life. With a movie, you put in an hour or two and then move on to something else.

If you spend all that time on a series where the writing goes completely to hell by season four, you could have easily watched a dozen high-quality movies in that same window.

Look, I get where you're coming from—I really do—but have you ever experienced that specific internal conflict? That moment when you’re absolutely obsessed with a movie (or maybe a trilogy of films from the same franchise) and you have this desperate, almost primal urge to just consume more? It’s like saying, "God, I need more of this right now," while simultaneously feeling this sinking realization deep down that if they actually *do* make more, it will only serve to tarnish the perfection of what you just witnessed. You want it, but you know more might actually ruin it.

🙂

Look, TV series are just... they're something else entirely compared to movies. It’s like a whole different world—once a show hooks you with its atmosphere or those deep, complex characters, you're essentially living in that universe. You don't just watch it; you inhabit it. You find yourself constantly needing to know what happens next, driven by this internal momentum that a two-hour film simply can't replicate.

Look, if you want my honest opinion, The X-Files stands alone as the absolute best series I’ve ever watched—it’s easily my all-time favorite. Honestly, I can't even wrap my head around the idea of The X-Files being just a single movie. For me, that simply wouldn't work; I can't imagine only getting to experience Fox Mulder and Dana Scully a couple of times and then having it be over. No way—there's just no chance I'd be satisfied with that. 🙂 That’s exactly why I say they are two entirely different beasts—movies versus series.

If anyone ever forces me into a corner—though, frankly, they really shouldn't—and makes me choose between a movie or a series, I’m going with a movie every single time. It's a clear-cut decision for me, but honestly, putting someone in that position is just a bit unfair.

The X-Files remains my absolute favorite series—it’s the gold standard for me. That said, I have quite a collection of other cult classics that I find myself revisiting from time to time; shows like the original The Twilight Zone, Twin Peaks, The Sopranos, HBO's Rome, and Oz.

These are the kind of series defined by top-tier acting and narratives that feel entirely self-contained—stories that possess their own internal logic and atmosphere. They belong strictly to the medium of television; they simply wouldn't work any other way—though, of course, I wouldn't want them to be anything else.

Up until today, I’ve mostly kept to myself here, but I figured I’d take a crack at comparing the sheer scale of TV series versus movies. Just this once, anyway. To be blunt, I have yet to see a depiction of ancient Rome that hits quite as hard as HBO's Rome—nothing in any movie or series has ever captured that era with such raw authenticity. The only possible contender, if we look at it from a linguistic-archaeological standpoint, would be Gibson's Passion—but that’s assuming you set aside the whole Jesus aspect of it all.

To be perfectly honest, life has been pretty relentless lately—I haven't had much breathing room for movies or series over the last three years—BUT I always find a way to carve out time for them. It’s more than just a hobby; it's deeply ingrained in who I am. There is something almost meditative about revisiting the classics—especially those specific films I absolutely adore—and watching them for the hundredth time. 🤣

It’s the same deal with TV shows—whenever I actually find a spare moment, I’ll grab an episode and dive in. But let’s be clear: I’m not just binging anything that pops up on my feed. I only go after the series that actually hold water—the ones where the storytelling, the genre, and the acting are all top-tier. If it doesn't hit those marks, it isn't worth my time.

You wouldn't believe the sheer volume of shows I go through—I'm constantly cycling through everything from Game of Thrones to The Walking Dead, then jumping straight into The 100 or Falling Skies. 🤣🤣

Let’s be real—when it comes to the current landscape of television, nothing even comes close to the sheer scale of Game of Thrones. I mean it. You can browse through every major streaming platform from Netflix to HBO all day long, but honestly? No other series is even playing in the same league.

Look, I wouldn’t go so far as to call myself some die-hard fanatic for Game of Thrones—I try to keep my cool—but if we’re being objective here, it is easily the best series on television right now. From the caliber of the acting to the sheer complexity of the narrative, it’s unparalleled. You get twists in almost every single episode that just keep you reeling; the plot is so intricately layered—it’s honestly an absolute explosion of a series.

As for your question about why some people nowadays seem to binge-watch series more than they watch movies—honestly, I don't even know what to say about them. That just isn't me... 🙂 Movies will always be my number one choice, though—I'll admit, my heart aches a little even typing that because of how much I love The X-Files, The Sopranos, and stuff like that—so I truly believe nobody should be forced (and I'm not saying you're doing that) to pick sides between a movie or a series 👍

And those folks who exclusively grind through series? Well, whatever... let them live their lives 😁

Game of Thrones is the best series out there today? Give me a break.

bluenomad2 said:Game of Thrones is the best series out there today? Give me a break.

Alright, go ahead then—tell me which one is actually better? And try to be objective for once. 🙂

I'm honestly stuck in such a massive rut right now—I am seriously struggling to pick out a movie to watch!

Honestly, I just don't see how any TV series can even come close to the greatness of top-tier movies. I mean, really, where is the originality? It feels like almost every single series out there is just rehashing some story we've already seen on the big screen, only to find that the original film did it way better and with much more impact. Why bother reinventing the wheel when the cinematic version was already perfect?
Look, I’ll say it: The Sopranos is easily one of the greatest series ever made, and honestly, it sits right at number two on my all-time favorites list. But let's be real for a second—can any TV show actually compete with the sheer greatness of The Godfather and The Godfather Part II? I just don't think it can.

And honestly, let’s talk about how much these series get dragged out lately. Don't get me wrong, I totally get that a series needs more breathing room than a movie does—it's just common sense, right? But does every single story really need to be stretched into fifty or sixty hours of content? There’s just no reason to make things that complicated! You could easily tell those same stories in a few hours, or maybe even ten if you’re looking at something epic like The Godfather trilogy. Why turn everything into a marathon when a sprint would work just fine?

Look, I’m a huge fan of TV series—if they’re actually good and keep me entertained, I don't mind a long run—but let's be real for a second, right? There is absolutely no reason to drag a story out just for the sake of it. Why stretch things thin when you don't have to? Take *Breaking Bad*, for example; that's widely considered one of the greatest shows ever made, and honestly, I feel the exact same way about it. But think about it: could that entire intense narrative not have been told in maybe two hours? Or even better, could they have just turned it into two solid movies, like one two-hour epic and another slightly longer one? If we're being totally honest here, there really isn't a logical reason to pile on fifty or sixty hours of content when the core story could have been finished in a fraction of that time. Is it actually better, or are we just consuming more because it's there?

And honestly, I should probably mention why TV series always seem to snag those higher ratings than movies—it’s pretty simple, right? When you’re following a show for years, you actually start to care about the characters and get genuinely invested in the story, so you naturally end up giving it a higher score. That’s just how most people work!
Look, I don't really see things the way you do—my whole process is a bit different. For me, you can't just lump a movie rating in with a series rating; they’re two totally different beasts. A cinematic masterpiece isn't the same thing as a series that happens to be my personal favorite, you know? I like to keep them strictly separated. Honestly, I actually place a higher value on a movie that I give an 8/10 than I do on a series I give a 10/10, simply because I just weigh the impact of a film much more heavily than a show. Does that make sense? It’s just how I roll.
Look, when I say a series is a 10/10 for me, I’m talking about a straight-up masterpiece—we're talking top-tier, legendary stuff within the entire world of TV. You know what I mean, right? Like, it's not just good, it's absolutely flawless.

William Hall93 said:Look, don't get me wrong, I have nothing against a good series, but I just don't get this whole obsession with bingeing shows instead of watching movies. :-)

A lot of series end up having a disappointing finale or just lose steam in later seasons, leaving you feeling like you wasted a massive chunk of your life. With a movie, you put in an hour or two and then move on to something else.

If you spend all that time on a series where the writing goes completely to hell by season four, you could have easily watched a dozen high-quality movies in that same window.

I totally get where you're coming from, man. Honestly, I've lost count of how many times I've sat there thinking, "Why on earth am I sinking all this time into one single series with a plot that just keeps stretching and stretching forever?" Like, seriously, why commit to one massive, overblown storyline when I could have knocked out a whole mountain of incredible movies in that same timeframe? It really makes you wonder if we aren't just wasting our lives on endless seasons when there's so much cinematic greatness waiting for us!

But honestly... the whole thing really just boils down to whatever kind of mood I'm in at the moment, you know? It all depends on what I'm actually feeling like doing when the time comes!
You know how it goes, right? Sometimes I’ll get into this total groove where I just want to binge nothing but movies for an entire month—just pure, cinematic storytelling from start to finish. But then, other times, I really crave that deep dive, you know? I just want to get lost in a massive story and actually spend some quality time hanging out with the characters, so I'll pivot and spend weeks glued to a great series instead.
Lately, I’ve been leaning into this specific vibe where I just mix things up—you know, watching one movie and then knocking out a few episodes of whatever series I'm currently binging all in the same day? It’s become my go-to routine over the last few years, and honestly, why wouldn't I? It keeps things fresh!

wiredraven82 said:Alright, go ahead then—tell me which one is actually better? And try to be objective for once. 🙂

Man, can we just talk about Mad Men for a second? Seriously, does anyone else feel like they could just get lost in that show for hours on end? It’s one of those rare gems that actually stays with you long after the credits roll, you know what I mean? Every single episode feels like such a deep dive into this incredibly stylized, moody version of mid-century America, and honestly, I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it. Is it just me, or is the tension in those office scenes almost suffocating in the best possible way? It’s just masterfully done! 👍

So, if I'm looking at my all-time favorites, Mad Men lands right there at number five, while Game of Thrones takes the sixth spot. It’s honestly such a close call, you know? They’re both absolute masterpieces in my book, but Mad Men just edges it out by a hair—it’s slightly better, though it’s a total toss-up!

wiredraven82 said:Alright, go ahead then—tell me which one is actually better? And try to be objective for once. 🙂

Right now, among the superior shows that haven't wrapped up yet, I'd pick Rectify, True Detective, Fargo, Mad Men, House of Cards... there are definitely more.

I'm not arguing that Game of Thrones has a massive budget or that the costume design isn't top-tier. The locations are great too, and I won't deny the acting is solid. But my issue is that it's just a medieval soap opera with a fantasy skin. I can't stand when a serious series devolves into a soap opera for seasons on end. The biggest problem for you seems to be those twists. Those plot twists have become pathetic and way too frequent. A shock is fine, but when you do it constantly, the impact dies. Now they're stuck in this repetitive cycle where they're addicted to them.

As for the ones you listed, The X-Files and The Twilight Zone—I agree. They're influential and easily among the best series ever made.

bluenomad2 said:Right now, among the superior shows that haven't wrapped up yet, I'd pick Rectify, True Detective, Fargo, Mad Men, House of Cards... there are definitely more.

I'm not arguing that Game of Thrones has a massive budget or that the costume design isn't top-tier. The locations are great too, and I won't deny the acting is solid. But my issue is that it's just a medieval soap opera with a fantasy skin. I can't stand when a serious series devolves into a soap opera for seasons on end. The biggest problem for you seems to be those twists. Those plot twists have become pathetic and way too frequent. A shock is fine, but when you do it constantly, the impact dies. Now they're stuck in this repetitive cycle where they're addicted to them.

As for the ones you listed, The X-Files and The Twilight Zone—I agree. They're influential and easily among the best series ever made.

Regarding The X-Files and The Twilight Zone, sure. 👍 But look, regarding Game of Thrones and the other shows you listed, you have to admit we're talking about personal taste here—everyone likes different things, you know? They all hover around that same high level of quality... perhaps my take on GOT was a bit too blunt, specifically because of that one factor. 🙂

😍

cosmiclynx57 said:I'm honestly stuck in such a massive rut right now—I am seriously struggling to pick out a movie to watch!

Honestly, I just don't see how any TV series can even come close to the greatness of top-tier movies. I mean, really, where is the originality? It feels like almost every single series out there is just rehashing some story we've already seen on the big screen, only to find that the original film did it way better and with much more impact. Why bother reinventing the wheel when the cinematic version was already perfect?
Look, I’ll say it: The Sopranos is easily one of the greatest series ever made, and honestly, it sits right at number two on my all-time favorites list. But let's be real for a second—can any TV show actually compete with the sheer greatness of The Godfather and The Godfather Part II? I just don't think it can.

And honestly, let’s talk about how much these series get dragged out lately. Don't get me wrong, I totally get that a series needs more breathing room than a movie does—it's just common sense, right? But does every single story really need to be stretched into fifty or sixty hours of content? There’s just no reason to make things that complicated! You could easily tell those same stories in a few hours, or maybe even ten if you’re looking at something epic like The Godfather trilogy. Why turn everything into a marathon when a sprint would work just fine?

Look, I’m a huge fan of TV series—if they’re actually good and keep me entertained, I don't mind a long run—but let's be real for a second, right? There is absolutely no reason to drag a story out just for the sake of it. Why stretch things thin when you don't have to? Take *Breaking Bad*, for example; that's widely considered one of the greatest shows ever made, and honestly, I feel the exact same way about it. But think about it: could that entire intense narrative not have been told in maybe two hours? Or even better, could they have just turned it into two solid movies, like one two-hour epic and another slightly longer one? If we're being totally honest here, there really isn't a logical reason to pile on fifty or sixty hours of content when the core story could have been finished in a fraction of that time. Is it actually better, or are we just consuming more because it's there?

And honestly, I should probably mention why TV series always seem to snag those higher ratings than movies—it’s pretty simple, right? When you’re following a show for years, you actually start to care about the characters and get genuinely invested in the story, so you naturally end up giving it a higher score. That’s just how most people work!
Look, I don't really see things the way you do—my whole process is a bit different. For me, you can't just lump a movie rating in with a series rating; they’re two totally different beasts. A cinematic masterpiece isn't the same thing as a series that happens to be my personal favorite, you know? I like to keep them strictly separated. Honestly, I actually place a higher value on a movie that I give an 8/10 than I do on a series I give a 10/10, simply because I just weigh the impact of a film much more heavily than a show. Does that make sense? It’s just how I roll.
Look, when I say a series is a 10/10 for me, I’m talking about a straight-up masterpiece—we're talking top-tier, legendary stuff within the entire world of TV. You know what I mean, right? Like, it's not just good, it's absolutely flawless.

I totally get where you're coming from, man. Honestly, I've lost count of how many times I've sat there thinking, "Why on earth am I sinking all this time into one single series with a plot that just keeps stretching and stretching forever?" Like, seriously, why commit to one massive, overblown storyline when I could have knocked out a whole mountain of incredible movies in that same timeframe? It really makes you wonder if we aren't just wasting our lives on endless seasons when there's so much cinematic greatness waiting for us!

But honestly... the whole thing really just boils down to whatever kind of mood I'm in at the moment, you know? It all depends on what I'm actually feeling like doing when the time comes!
You know how it goes, right? Sometimes I’ll get into this total groove where I just want to binge nothing but movies for an entire month—just pure, cinematic storytelling from start to finish. But then, other times, I really crave that deep dive, you know? I just want to get lost in a massive story and actually spend some quality time hanging out with the characters, so I'll pivot and spend weeks glued to a great series instead.
Lately, I’ve been leaning into this specific vibe where I just mix things up—you know, watching one movie and then knocking out a few episodes of whatever series I'm currently binging all in the same day? It’s become my go-to routine over the last few years, and honestly, why wouldn't I? It keeps things fresh!

Man, can we just talk about Mad Men for a second? Seriously, does anyone else feel like they could just get lost in that show for hours on end? It’s one of those rare gems that actually stays with you long after the credits roll, you know what I mean? Every single episode feels like such a deep dive into this incredibly stylized, moody version of mid-century America, and honestly, I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it. Is it just me, or is the tension in those office scenes almost suffocating in the best possible way? It’s just masterfully done! 👍

So, if I'm looking at my all-time favorites, Mad Men lands right there at number five, while Game of Thrones takes the sixth spot. It’s honestly such a close call, you know? They’re both absolute masterpieces in my book, but Mad Men just edges it out by a hair—it’s slightly better, though it’s a total toss-up!

I’m with you there—I’d definitely pick the movie, too—but I still stand by my original point: we shouldn't be putting people in a position where they even have to make that kind of choice in the first place. It’s a matter of perspective, really; those two worlds are operating on completely different wavelengths.

Look, if you forced my hand—if we were standing there and someone shouted "stand with the movie"—I’d obviously take the side of the film. But let's be realistic here: you simply cannot deny how much certain episodes of a series like *The Twilight Zone* paved the way for the creation of major motion pictures. It's an undeniable influence. There have even been legal battles over it—not that I'm naming names—but the precedent is there. 🙂

bluenomad2 said:😍

Haha, I definitely remember that episode from yesterday—and look, you can never truly predict what kind of nightmare might mutate in the sewers thanks to all the waste and various toxic crap we dump down there. 😁If you have a spare moment, check out this tribute video for The X-Files; whoever put this together deserves massive respect:

The X-Files - Serenata Immortale (tribute video)

Sometimes I’ll just loop this video while listening to the monologues and dialogue between Fox Mulder and Dana Scully—I've probably played it five times in a row while trying to get some writing done, haha.

I honestly think it all boils down to the sheer amount of time spent building that connection between the audience and the characters. It’s just more intimate that way. A movie tries to achieve something similar through sequels—or at least attempts to via trilogies—but, let’s be honest, they usually fail to pull it off. Sure, a movie can deliver an impact in a much shorter, almost negligible window of time, but it just doesn't create that sense of "addiction" you get from a series. We could also probably factor the whole cultural trend aspect into this discussion, I suppose.

I don't hang out on this forum much, but I’ve definitely had déjà vu with this topic before.
I knew I wasn't completely losing my mind.😁

jadecyclist36 said:I don't hang out on this forum much, but I’ve definitely had déjà vu with this topic before.
I knew I wasn't completely losing my mind.😁

I'm practically a permanent fixture on this board, so I felt that same wave of déjà vu the second I laid eyes on this topic.😁

Quote: shadow dancer

wiredraven82 said:Haha, I definitely remember that episode from yesterday—and look, you can never truly predict what kind of nightmare might mutate in the sewers thanks to all the waste and various toxic crap we dump down there. 😁If you have a spare moment, check out this tribute video for The X-Files; whoever put this together deserves massive respect:

The X-Files - Serenata Immortale (tribute video)

Sometimes I’ll just loop this video while listening to the monologues and dialogue between Fox Mulder and Dana Scully—I've probably played it five times in a row while trying to get some writing done, haha.

Haha, but that’s exactly why they were special. They had the most original ideas. For me, one disgusting episode really stuck—it was banned, but it was an absolute masterpiece. "Home." Pure filth, yet you couldn't look away. 😁

Great Tribute that perfectly captures what is likely the best TV duo ever. Though, I personally prefer these kinds of tributes. X-Files Scariest show good

Alright, let's get back to the topic. I prefer movies, even though I've been watching series for just as long as films. Series are interesting because you follow the characters and the full arc, but if a movie can pack all that same quality into two hours, it’s simply better. Honestly, I respect a film more when it pulls that off in two hours compared to a series spanning one or more seasons.

It seems like most people don't even know these older series exist. They might have heard the names, but they haven't actually watched them. It bothers me that while TV shows are more popular than ever, everyone just sticks to whatever is trending right now. You see it even in the unlisted threads where people openly admit they have zero interest in the classics. The internet plays a huge role in this bubble. It’s a shame; if you're going to watch TV, why limit yourself to today's hits when there's so much better stuff from the past?

Let's talk comedy. It’s not just about Seinfeld. Beyond the older British comedies, we have M*A*S*H, which remains top-tier satire—both the movie and the series. Cheers is also an excellent show. These are all rightfully considered classics. It seems like people are afraid to explore; they’d rather just chase trends and stick to whatever is new.

Look, I don't have anything against people preferring series—I love them too—but at the end of the day, a movie is still a movie.

Not everyone, though most people I know.

I suspect the reason is quite simple: people have lost the capacity for sustained focus. It’s become much easier to binge three episodes of a series—each roughly 45 minutes—than it is to actually sit through a single ninety-minute movie.

I’ll be the first to admit that, personally, I find series easier to consume.

But, truth be told, I still derive far more enjoyment from movies.