The cinema market - France

The global cinema market experienced a severe downturn in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with market sales plummeting by over 72%, from a record high of $42.3 billion to just $11.8 billion. Despite this, the market has shown signs of recovery, with revenues rising to $25.9 billion in 2022. However, this figure is still 35%. The Asia-Pacific region holds the largest market share at 37%, followed by North America at 29%. In France, the leading market in Europe, the cinema industry also suffered, with attendance dropping by 69.4% in 2020.

The French cinema attendance began to recover in 2022 with 152 million admissions, yet this was still below pre-pandemic levels. The landscape is shifting towards multiplexes, with 247 multiplexes in 2022, while single-screen cinemas have seen a decline. Multiplexes also garner the majority of cinema admissions, despite making up only 12% of French cinemas. Although the industry faced obstacles during the health crisis, innovations such as 3D and various immersive experiences, in addition to government support, signal a hopeful outlook for the cinema market.

Resurgence of Cinema Attendance Amidst Ongoing Recovery

Cinemas in the concerned country experienced a dramatic fall in attendance due to the health crisis of 2020, but recent trends indicate a promising resurgence. In 2020, the number of individuals who visited cinemas plummeted by approximately 70% to just over 65 million admissions compared to the previous year's figure of more than 215 million. While such a decline had a significant impact on the industry, recent figures from 2022 show encouraging signs of recovery, with attendance rates reaching approximately 152 million, indicating a notable increase of around 87% compared to 2020 figures.

Despite the optimism in rising attendance rates, the industry has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, with a gap of approximately 25-30% when compared to the attendance rates recorded. Nevertheless, the upward trend is a positive indicator of the sector's resilience. The demographic prominently contributing to cinema attendance in France comprises seniors, who make up over a third of all admissions, with those aged 50 and over accounting for approximately 34%. Interestingly, while seniors take the lead in admissions, younger age groups, particularly those between 3 to 24 years old, are over-represented in the cinema-going demographics relative to their share in the overall population. The average movie-goer in the country frequented cinemas around 3.8 times in 2022, signaling a steady interest in cinema despite the availability of alternative entertainment options, such as streaming services.

The French population continues to display a decent level of engagement with cinemas, with over 60% having attended at least once in 2022. This rebound is particularly remarkable given the mandatory health restrictions at the beginning of 2022, which included full vaccination requirements, and a dearth in the supply of American films, traditionally a mainstay in the country's cinemas. Cinemas themselves are evolving, with the number of screens growing significantly over time, from approximately 5,470 to over 6,290 in 2022. Multiplexes, characterized by offering at least eight screens, have seen a substantial increase, with their number rising by approximately 40% within the same period. This growth can be attributed to their ability to attract a more substantial audience share and be more profitable, offering a clue to how market dynamics favor larger, more versatile establishments. Single-screen cinemas, with their numbers steadily dwindling, testify to this evolving market structure.

Key Players Shaping the Cinematic Landscape

As the curtains rise, the spotlight falls on a collective of cinematic maestros leading the charge in revamping and elevating the movie-going experience. Within the grand theater of film exhibition and distribution, a few marquee names deserve special mention for their contributions to the industry.

Majestic Contenders of Theatrical Exhibition

• Pathé Gaumont stands tall as a vital protagonist in the narrative of French cinema, boasting a lineage of theaters that have become cultural landmarks. As a bearer of cinematic tradition, Pathé Gaumont not only exhibits films but also takes pride in creating a memorable ambiance that complements the storytelling on the silver screen.
• UGC, with its own chain of multiplexes, signifies modernity and convenience, offering audiences the ultimate cinema experience with state-of-the-art projection and sound systems. They are known for their innovative programming strategies that curate a mix of blockbuster fare alongside art-house selections.
• CGR Cinemas, another protagonist in this tale, has distinguished itself with its impressive expansion of multiplexes. With a keen eye on technological advancements such as 3D and premium large formats, CGR continues to push the boundaries of immersive cinema.
• Cinéligue, albeit shrouded in mystery with undisclosed sales figures, contributes its own unique flavor to the cinema landscape, providing audiences with diverse film choices and experiences that cater to various tastes and preferences.
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Producers and Broadcasters: The Storytellers Behind the Scenes

• Netflix has emerged as the avant-garde force in content production and streaming, offering an ocean of diverse narratives that have changed the way stories are consumed and challenging the traditional paradigms of movie viewing.
• SFR Play steps onto the stage with its multifaceted services, including SFR Play which enriches the on-demand streaming arena with its curated selection of films and series, making a mark in the digital evolution of film consumption.
• Canal Plus Groupe, through its platform MyCanal, serves as a bridge between classic cinema and contemporary viewing habits, balancing its offerings to include both theatrical releases and a deep vault of on-demand content. France Télévision remains a cornerstone of French cultural broadcasting, delivering a spectrum of films that mirror society's myriad hues and ensuring that the silver screen reflects the stories of all.
• The TF1 Group has managed to create a synergy between television broadcasting and the cinematic world, thereby contributing significantly to the promotion and dissemination of films on multiple screens and formats.
• VideoFutur may not boast the towering sales figures of its counterparts.

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : 30 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 06/11/2023

Summary and extracts

List of charts

• Trends in the size of the global cinema market
• Number of cinema tickets sold
• Worldwide box office market share
• Changes in box office receipts
• Ranking of European countries with the highest cinema attendance
• French cinema attendance
• French cinema attendance
• Number of screenings offered in cinemas
• Changes in France's cinema-going population
• Structure of cinema audiences
• Structure of cinema admissions
• Number of cinema screens
• Number of movie theaters
• French cinema attendance by age
• Share of age groups in the French population
• Cinema audiences by socio-professional category
• Number of multiples
• Breakdown of movie theatres by category
• Breakdown of cinema admissions by number of screens
• Average box office sales per cinema admission
• Technologies used in premium venues and their share of the French market
• Establishments equipped for 3D projection and share of total
• International attendance figures for French films
• Films shown in cinemas, by nationality
• Ranking of European countries in terms of market share for domestic films
• Breakdown of CNC support by sector
• Main cinema operators by number of establishments
• Leading cinema operators by number of screens
• Leading cinema operators by number of admissions