This application discloses a media stream playing method and apparatus. The method includes: obtaining a first attribute parameter set when detecting that a first passenger views a first media stream played on a first vehicle-mounted screen, where the first attribute parameter set includes an identity of the first passenger and the first vehicle-mounted screen viewed by the first passenger; and when determining that attention of the first passenger is lost from the first vehicle-mounted screen, if determining that a second vehicle-mounted screen that is viewed by a second passenger and that is in a stored second attribute parameter set is the first vehicle-mounted screen, indicating to continue playing the first media stream on the first vehicle-mounted screen, where the second attribute parameter set includes an identity of the second passenger and the second vehicle-mounted screen.