In 2023, European cinemas experienced a significant boost, thanks to a lineup of highly anticipated international and national films. According to preliminary estimates by the International Union of Cinemas (UNIC), European admissions saw a remarkable 21 percent increase last year, while the total box office reached approximately €7.1 billion ($7.6 billion). This represents a gain of 24 percent in Europe and 25 percent in the European Union compared to the year before, making it just 8 percent below the pre-pandemic results from 2017 to 2019.
UNIC, which represents cinema operators and trade associations across 39 territories, is set to release the final data for 2023 later this spring. However, based on the available information, several countries stood out for their impressive performance in the box office. The Netherlands, Croatia, Albania, Serbia, and Montenegro all ended the year with box office revenues surpassing their 2017-2019 averages. Meanwhile, Austria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, and Slovakia achieved results on par with pre-pandemic box office figures.
Breaking down the data further, Germany showcased a remarkable surge in box office earnings, reaching €859 million ($920 million), a 24 percent increase compared to 2022. The number of admissions also rose by 19 percent to 87 million. France experienced a 19 percent growth, reaching 181 million admissions, while the U.K.'s box office grew by 8.5 percent, amounting to £978.5 million ($1.23 billion). Italy witnessed tremendous success, with box office earnings of €496 million ($531 million) and a significant 59 percent increase in admissions, totaling 71 million. In Spain, admissions increased by 22 percent to 75 million, with a box office revenue of €489 million ($523 million).
The driving forces behind these impressive figures were undoubtedly the release of two global hits, namely Warner Bros.' 'Barbie' and Universal Pictures' 'Oppenheimer.' 'Barbie' grossed an astonishing $1.44 billion globally, dominating the charts in various European countries, including the U.K., Germany, and Ireland. 'Oppenheimer' also earned more than $952 million worldwide. What made these releases even more remarkable was the phenomenon known as 'Barbenheimer.' Audiences embraced the opportunity to watch both films simultaneously, often in premium formats, resulting in an extraordinary summer for cinemas in the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Poland, Spain, Italy, and the U.K.
Cinemas also saw success with other international releases such as 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie,' 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,' 'Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,' and 'Wonka.' Furthermore, the concert film 'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour' set a new record for the highest global opening weekend, raking in $128 million. It claimed the top spot in the U.S., U.K., Germany, Spain, and Italy.
While international films played a significant role, local titles made their mark in 2023 as well. Films like 'Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom,' 'Alibi.com 2,' and 'The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan' captivated audiences in France. In Italy, 'C'è ancora domani' became the top-grossing film of the year, earning €32.9 million ($35.2 million).
Laura Houlgatte, the CEO of UNIC, expressed her satisfaction with the impressive performance of European cinemas in 2023. She emphasized how the diversity of programming and experiences offered by cinemas catered to every taste and age group. While challenges such as the impact of Hollywood strikes and increased operational costs persist, Houlgatte emphasized that the popularity of cinemas remains unwavering. She concluded by acknowledging the cinema industry's unparalleled record of innovation and its ability to deliver remarkable experiences. The success of 2023 serves as proof that cinemas are as popular as ever.
