European Audiovisual Observatory publishes annual cinemagoing report

The Film Distributors’ Association (FDA) represents the interests of film distributors in the UK and Ireland. Its membership ranges from Hollywood studios to independent operators and is responsible for 99% of all films released theatrically in the territory.

Earlier today, the European Audiovisual Observatory published its 2024 European Cinemagoing Report, timed to coincide with this year’s Cannes Film Festival. 

The report features comprehensive 2024 theatrical market results for all European member states (excluding Azerbaijan). Whilst the general trend for the European cinema sector saw a marginal dip vs. 2023 (-0.8% box office/-1.7% admissions), overall business remained relatively stable. 14 markets recorded growth in admissions with notable increases in Albania (+9.0%), Slovakia (+8.3%) and Lithuania (+5.6%), contrasted by sharp declines in Cyprus (-19.9%), Luxembourg (-18.6%) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (-14.9%).

US productions accounted for 18 of the top 20 films of the year across Europe with animated sequel Inside Out 2 the most watched at 50.8m total admissions, whilst two French productions – inclusive comedy Un p’tit truc en plus and epic swashbuckler Le Comte de Monte-Cristo – both made the top 15. 22 countries enjoyed year-on-year national market share increases with the highest gains in Bulgaria (+15.7%), Türkiye (+12.6%), Latvia (+11.4%) and Czechia (+10.1%), largely driven by homegrown territory hits.

Key takeaway’s for the 2024 European theatrical market include:

– 843m admissions (vs. 861m in 2023) -1.7% vs. 2023

– €6.6bn box office (vs. €6.7bn in 2023) -0.8% vs. 2023

– 14 films surpassed the 10m admissions level

– 14 territories posted annual growth in admissions

– US productions accounted for 18 of the top 20 films

– European films’ market share grew to 32.8%

– 22 countries saw national market share increases

– European productions (2,514) reached new record level

Founded in 1992, the European Audiovisual Observatory’s purview is to gather and distribute information on Europe’s audiovisual industry, which comprises 40 different member states. Represented by the European Commission, the Observatory operates alongside a number of partners and professional organisations from within the industry as well as with a network of correspondents.

Further details of the 2024 report can be found in the European Audiovisual Observatory’s press release.