France Box Office sees a strong recovery in 2022 with an increase of 59% compared to the previous year

French cinemas will attract almost 152 million admissions in 2022, according to new data from the National Cinema Center (CNC). This is an estimated 26.9% from the three-year average before the pandemic (2017-2019) and an estimated 59.2% increase from 2021, when cinemas were closed for 138 days. France reports its box office in terms of admissions, but the total for the year is expected to exceed $1 billion.

Although the market has recovered better than many, France suffered earlier in the year from vaccination requirements and undersold sales. All hygiene restrictions were lifted on 14 March.

From March to July turnstiles got better and better, helped by the success of Top Gun: Maverick, Jurassic world domination and Minions: The Rise of Gru. The annual discount ticket program, the Fête du Cinéma, drew 3.2 million visitors in July, matching pre-pandemic levels.

The end of the year has been announced Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and recently Avatar: The Way of Water This is the best movie of 2022 and the pandemic era. France is raving about James Cameron’s film – it is the second largest international market for the film after China and will soon pass $100 million. According to CNC, yes avatar and Independent thinking personRounding up the top 5 films of the year in France Minions: The Rise of Gru, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Jurassic world domination.

Domestic films contributed 62.2 million admissions, an estimated 40.9% of the market and broadly comparable to the 40.5% of American titles in 2022. Among the top French films were Threequel Qu’Est-Ce Qu’On A Tous Fait au Bon Dieu? (aka series of (bad) weddings 3) with 2.4 million visitors; Cedric Jimenez November (2.3 million); biopics Simone – Le Voyage du Siecle (2.2 million); comedy Maison de Retreat (1.9 million); and action comedy Superheroine Malgre Lui (1.7 million).

Both the CNC and the FNCF exhibitors are optimistic about 2023 with a greater number of flagship titles and a diverse line-up.

CNC President Dominique Boutonnat said: “We are confident that there are more promising titles on the schedule in 2023 and we hope for even better participation. But we will remain very vigilant to ensure that this offer remains the most diverse offer in theatres, which is one of the strengths of our model.”

Cinemas, according to the FNCF, will “resume and increase investments in comfort, image and sound quality” while investments “in support of the energy transition will remain a priority in the coming years, especially as the energy crisis eases the economy of many. movie theaters.”