Film and High-End Television Production in the UK: An Overview

1st February 2024

The film and high-end television (HETV) production industry in the UK has been a significant contributor to the country’s economy, generating billions of pounds and supporting numerous jobs. In this article, we will delve into the latest official statistics released by the British Film Institute (BFI) to gain insights into the production spend, box office performance, and other key trends in the industry in 2023.

Production Spend in 2023

Despite the global impact of the Hollywood strikes, film and HETV production in the UK remained resilient, with a combined spend of over £4.23 billion. Although this represented a 32% decrease compared to 2022, it was almost on par with pre-pandemic levels.

Film Production Spend

Film production accounted for £1.36 billion of the total spend in 2023, marking a 31% decline from the previous year. However, it is worth noting that this figure was still almost at the same level as the pre-covid production spend in 2019.

High-End Television Production Spend

The high-end television sector contributed significantly to the overall production spend, reaching nearly £2.9 billion in 2023. This figure represented a 33% decrease from the record-breaking 2022 but remained the third-highest annual spend since the introduction of tax relief in 2013.

Inward Investment and Co-production Spend

Inward investment and co-production played a vital role in the UK film and HETV industry, reaching £3.31 billion in 2023. This represented a 39% decrease compared to 2022 but brought the industry closer to pre-pandemic levels.

UK Domestic Production Spend

Domestic production spend on film and HETV in the UK accounted for £150.2 million and £766 million, respectively. Although the film production spend experienced a 13% decrease compared to 2022, the domestic HETV production spend increased by 21% during the same period.

Box Office Performance in 2023

The UK box office faced challenges due to the lingering effects of the pandemic, but it showed signs of recovery in 2023.

UK Cinema Admissions

UK cinema admissions reached 123.6 million in 2023, marking a 5.5% increase compared to 2022. However, it still lagged behind the pre-pandemic levels of 2019 by 30%.

Total Box Office Revenue

The total box office revenue for films released in the UK and Republic of Ireland in 2023 amounted to £985.8 million. While this figure represented a 4% increase compared to 2022, it was still 24% lower than the box office revenue in 2019.

Top Grossing Films

The highest-grossing film of 2023 was Barbie, which earned £95.6 million at the UK box office. This film accounted for 10% of the total annual box office and became the fifth highest-grossing film ever at the UK/Ireland box office.

The Impact of UK Independent Films

While a significant portion of the box office was dominated by major studio releases, UK independent films also made their mark.

Top Grossing UK Independent Film

The top-grossing UK independent film in 2023 was The Great Escaper, earning £5.31 million. Despite facing challenges, UK independent films continued to showcase their talent and creativity.

Market Share for UK Independent Films

The market share for UK independent films decreased to 3.9% in 2023. However, the top 20 UK independent films collectively grossed £33.7 million, accounting for 92% of the total box office for UK independent films.

The Future of UK Film and HETV Production

The UK government and the industry remain committed to supporting and promoting the growth of the film and HETV production sector.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer highlighted the government’s efforts in creating an environment conducive to filmmaking, including tax reliefs, investments in skills and technology, and studio infrastructure. The government aims to boost the creative industries by £50 billion by 2030, further solidifying the success of UK studios and cinemas.

BFI Chief Executive Ben Roberts acknowledged the challenges faced by the industry but emphasized its contribution to the UK economy and job market. The BFI remains committed to supporting lower-budget UK films and ensuring their visibility and financing opportunities.

Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of the British Film Commission, reiterated the UK’s position as a leading global center for film and TV production. The combination of a skilled crew base, generous tax credits, increased stage space, and cutting-edge facilities continues to attract international and domestic producers to choose the UK as their preferred production location.

Despite the challenges posed by the Hollywood strikes and the ongoing impact of the pandemic, the UK film and HETV production industry demonstrated resilience and economic significance in 2023. With a combined production spend of over £4.23 billion and notable box office successes, the industry continues to make a substantial contribution to the UK economy and showcase the talent and creativity of UK filmmakers.