According to estimates of the European Audiovisual Observatory, EU cinema has hit its biggest high since 2004. The majority of EU markets was able to increase the strong admission levels of 2015. Total admissions in the European Union increased by 1.6% up to 994 million tickets sold in 2016, 16 million more than in 2015.
UPDATE 12/05/2017 – The European Audiovisual Observatory has published a complete overview of 2016 European cinema market trends. Read the newest press release.
Article based on press release European Audiovisual Observatory – 10-02-2017
Of the 24 EU markets for which provisional date were available, 19 markets saw an increase in cinema attendance. With a drop in attendance of 13%, partly due to a drop in admissions to local films, Germany saw a significant decline. The UK registered a decline of 2.1% compared to 2015.
In 11 of the 24 EU markets, for which 2016 data were available, national market shares of EU films increased compared to 2015. According to the European Audiovisual Observatory, it seems that the continued growth in cinema attendance in the EU is due to the solid performance of a comparatively large number of US studio titles.
Cinema attendance in the European Union 2007-2016 provisional
In millions; estimated; calculated on a pro-forma basis for the 28 EU member states
Source: European Audiovisual Observatory
All 2016 figures mentioned in this article are provisional. For the newest data read this press release.