The article examines the results of a study of the relationship between cinematographic preferences (mass cinema, historical films, action movies, horror movies, science fiction, auteur cinema), basic personality traits (extraversion, goodwill, conscientiousness, neuroticism, openness to experience) and various motives of choosing and watching films (movie consumption) of modern viewers. The main purpose of the study is to assess whether basic personality traits are associated with a preference for a particular film genre. The study applied a five-factor model often used to assess media preferences. The results of the study revealed the influence of viewers' psychological needs on movie consumption and movie preferences. Basic personality traits can act as predictors of viewers' (consumers') cinematic preferences and can provide explanations for cognitive, emotional, or social motivations for film consumption.