- Europe’s Uneven Theatrical Rebound: A Closer Look at the Box Office
- European Theatrical Admissions
- Benelux Leads the Charge to Recovery
- European Theatrical Markets, Admissions, Change, Screens, and Local Films
- Higher Ticket Prices Compensate for Lower Admissions
- Mixed Success from Local Contributions
- Worldwide Film & Television Distribution Intelligence
- Mixed Success from Local Contributions
- FilmTake Away: Many Roads to Theatrical Recovery
After three challenging years marked by globally coordinated lockdowns and resulting rising cost-of-living shocks, European cinemas entered 2024 with cautious optimism compared to growing gloom stateside.
Despite some signs of recovery in the last two years, the anticipated momentum was hampered by various ongoing hurdles. While a few territories saw box office revenues return to pre-2020 levels, the overall sector faced significant obstacles.
Europe’s Uneven Theatrical Rebound: A Closer Look at the Box Office
Across all European territories (EU and non-EU nations), 986.1 million tickets were sold, generating an estimated €7.3 billion in revenue last year, reflecting a modest 7.8% decrease compared to the 2017-2019 average. Despite these figures, the recovery was inconsistent, hampered by the US strikes, rising operational costs, and falling film quality. While studios and major distributors reaffirmed their support for exclusive theatrical releases, the expected robust and diverse film slate fell short in attracting new audiences.
While some European countries, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Serbia, Austria, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, experienced growth, many others struggled to return to pre-2020 figures.
Despite being 13.1% below the pre-lockdown 2017-19 average, the French box office demonstrated greater resilience to recent aftershocks than any other major European territory last year. It outperformed Germany (-16.9%), Spain (-23.9%), the UK and Ireland (-22.1%), and Italy (-21.8%). Uncover SVOD distribution rates for films and episodic in content in France, German-speaking Europe, and the UK and Ireland.
European Theatrical Admissions
Benelux Leads the Charge to Recovery
The Netherlands saw an increase in cinema activity, with new openings and refurbishments boosting attendance from 1.4 admissions per capita in 2022 to 1.7 in 2023, totaling 31.3 million admissions overall. Likewise, Belgium recorded a 2% increase compared to its 2017-2019 box office performance, with independent films helping to offset broader industry stagnation. However, this growth was not universal across Europe.
While admissions rose 27% and revenues 31% in the Netherlands, other regions, such as Germany and France, lagged significantly behind pre-lockdown levels. Uncover SVOD distribution rates for films and episodic content in the Netherlands and French- and Dutch-speaking Belgium.
European Theatrical Markets, Admissions, Change, Screens, and Local Films
Higher Ticket Prices Compensate for Lower Admissions
Despite Europe's modest recovery, admissions are still down by about 26% from 2019's peak. Higher ticket prices have compensated mainly for this drop in admissions. Likewise, Hollywood's domestic box office, though leading globally with $8.9 billion in 2023, remains well below the $11.9 billion of 2018.
Shockingly, the US box office is down more than 30% through the first half of 2024 compared to last year and over 50% down compared to 2019.
Mixed Success from Local Contributions
A key driver of this recovery is Europe's continued investment in local films, which has been a success. Regional films have expanded their reach, allowing the collective box office to reach $1.8 billion in 2023, the first year to match pre-2020 levels.
Local content provided some respite, contributing to admissions and revenue in many territories. The EU's 27 member states saw a 22.5% increase in cinema admissions, with over 662 million visits recorded. Box office revenue exceeded €5.1 billion, marking a 26.7% increase compared to the previous year. However, these numbers mask underlying difficulties, including uneven recovery and continued operational challenges.
European filmgoers' familiarity with subtitles, whether for movies from the US or neighboring countries, contrasts with the American audience's preference for films catering to them. This adaptability helps European cinemas maintain a diverse and vibrant box office.
Content valuation has never been more critical, with streaming platforms investing billions in original programming and licensing agreements to stay competitive in a crowded market.
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Worldwide Film & Television Distribution Intelligence
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Film and Series distribution rates and terms deriving from dozens of agreements for rights to transmit films and episodic television via PayTV and SVOD.
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Licensing Terms & Included Programs:
Pay-1 & SVOD Rate Cards for Motion Pictures and Series Exhibited Worldwide in Multiple Availability Windows
- Motion Pictures: Pay-1, First Run, Second Window Features, Recent Library Features (Tiers AAA,A,B,C), Library Features (Tiers AAA,A,B,C), Current and Premium Made-For-TV Films and Direct-To-Video Films, covering many license periods over the last decade
- Episodic TV: Current, Premium, Premium Catalog (1HR & 1/2HR), Catalog Series (1HR & 1/2HR), and Catalog Miniseries + Case Studies on Current Mega Hit, Catalog Mega Hit, and Premium Catalog, covering many licensing terms from 2012-2024
- Because most-favored-nation rates operate in practice, the rates and terms apply to a diverse range of content and distributors worldwide in multiple availability windows.
Mixed Success from Local Contributions
A key driver of this recovery is Europe's continued investment in local films, which has been a success. Regional films have expanded their reach, allowing the collective box office to reach $1.8 billion in 2023, the first year to match pre-2020 levels.
Local content provided some respite, contributing to admissions and revenue in many territories. The EU's 27 member states saw a 22.5% increase in cinema admissions, with over 662 million visits recorded. Box office revenue exceeded €5.1 billion, marking a 26.7% increase compared to the previous year. However, these numbers mask underlying difficulties, including uneven recovery and continued operational challenges.
European filmgoers' familiarity with subtitles, whether for movies from the US or neighboring countries, contrasts with the American audience's preference for films catering to them. This adaptability helps European cinemas maintain a diverse and vibrant box office.
FilmTake Away: Many Roads to Theatrical Recovery
The return to normalcy in European cinemas, driven by local investments and cultural adaptability, leaves Hollywood with much to ponder. As Europe continues to thrive with a diverse film slate and higher screen density, Hollywood's reliance on tentpoles and the shifting landscape of streaming pose significant challenges for the American film industry. The success story of European cinemas offers valuable lessons for Hollywood's path to recovery.
Europe's theatrical industry continues to grapple with the impact of Hollywood strikes, rising operational costs, and shifting audience preferences. While cinemas remain a beloved venue for many, the path to full recovery is fraught with uncertainty, requiring continuous innovation and adaptation to attract audiences back to the big screen.