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The Ankler

Matthew Frank

Associate Editor

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Matthew Frank writes Crowd Pleaser, The Ankler’s newsletter on what drives audience behavior — and doesn’t. His reporting focuses on the trends and cultural forces shaping moviegoing today, offering a ground-level view of how audiences are actually engaging with film and television, with a particular focus on how Gen Z is reshaping the industry through social media and internet behavior.

For his debut issue, Frank completed an ambitious cross-country reporting trip, visiting 58 theaters across 20 states to understand the state of American moviegoing in 2025.

He has also reported on the AI wars at top film schools, the rise of high-stakes gambling around Hollywood films, the push into IRL events by studios and streamers, and the industry’s shifting relationship with Democratic politics.

A native of Miami, Frank is based in Los Angeles.

Latest from Matthew Frank

Matthew Frank highlights

Ghosts in the Balcony: A Cross-Country Trip to 58 Theaters Fighting to Survive

In the worst October for moviegoing since the ’90s, I crossed 20 states to hear the primal screen from people keeping film alive — even when Hollywood won’t

Gen Z Only Watches TV Through Social Clips. Hollywood is Scrambling

As millions of viewers scroll instead of stream, studios grapple with a new marketing dilemma: fight or join?

AI Wars Hit Film School: Profs Teach It, Students Rage. ‘What About Our Jobs?’

At USC, Dodge and other top programs, the next generation fears being left in the dust, alarming the elders: ‘Participate in the revolution or sit it out’