Cinemas in France - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2025-2029)

Cinemas in France industry analysis

The French cinema industry is experiencing a resurgence with cinema admissions reaching 181 million in 2023, reflecting an 18.9% hike in admissions over the previous year, according to the Centre National du Cinéma et de l'Image Animée (CNC). As more and more people head out to go to movies, premium experiences like IMAX have gained popularity, with IMAX reported earnings exceeding €22 million in 2023, indicating that audiences are willing to pay more for high-quality viewing. Cinemas are also expanding their offerings by broadcasting live cultural events, attracting audiences seeking diverse experiences. This strategy could bolster attendance and revenue, although the market still faces challenges. Although competition from other entertainment forms like streaming services persists, the focus on premium formats and diverse content could help mitigate revenue volatility as cinemas compete for varying audience preferences. Revenue is expected to hike at a compound annual rate of 10.7% over the five years through 2025 to €1.5 billion, including an estimated jump of 1.1% in 2025.

Trends and Insights

• Cinemas grapple with the fallout of pandemic shutdowns. Sudden revenue loss and persistent low admissions have forced major chains like Cineworld, AMC and Vue into bankruptcy or significant financial restructuring to weather the storm.
• Cinemas struggle amid low admissions post-pandemic. They are trying to increase revenue per admission to compensate for the 34.5% drop in attendees since before the pandemic, as reported by European Audiovisual Observatory, to reduce reliance on ticket sales alone.
• Large chains dominate the industry. Major cinema chains make up the majority of revenue in the industry, though few brands operate across borders, which limits overall concentration.