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European cinema saw box office takings rise by more than 50% last year, with over 800 million visits across the region.
Data collated by the International Union of Cinemas (UNIC), the trade association representing cinema operators and their national associations across 39 European territories, found that box office reached €5.7bn during 2022-23, an increase of 53.8% on the previous year.
European cinema admissions soared by an estimated 36.2 per cent in 2022, with nearly 809 million visits across the region. However, that figure was still a fraction of the record 1.35 billion cinema visits in 2019, the last year before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Romania, Lithuania, Slovenia, Germany and Austria each saw box office growth of more than 90% compared to the COVID-impacted 2021-22 period. France, the UK and Germany were the top three markets in the region.
Between 2022 and the first half of 2023, several European and International titles managed to break box office records, with Avatar: The Way of Water becoming the highest grossing film of all time in the EMEA region with almost $800m at the box office, while Triangle of Sadness, 2022 Cannes Palme D’Or winner, which was released in over 40 international markets, globally recording revenues of over $25m.
UNIC said local European releases have been crucial, with countries such as France (41.1 per cent), the Czech Republic, Turkey, Germany and Denmark leading the way in terms of national films’ market share.
Phil Clapp, UNIC’s president, said: “All of the data set out in the UNIC Annual Report for 2022 confirms what we already knew – that audiences love the big screen. It’s no surprise therefore that studios and major distributors have reaffirmed their trust in and commitment to exclusive theatrical releases, recognising cinemas as the prime venues for experiencing the magic of cinema.
“A rich and varied film slate remains pivotal in attracting both existing and new audiences. Some challenges remain – such as the need for a more constant flow of diverse films, increased cost of operations to name a few – but cinemas remain the privileged place to experience films from all genres. Policymakers need to continue their efforts in safeguarding and celebrating cinemas, regardless of their size or location.”
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