UK Cinema Had Solid Box Office Numbers for 2024

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Mon, 01/20/2025 - 12:31 -- Nick Dager

Iain Jacob, chairman of the cross-industry body Cinema First, which represents UK exhibitors and distributors, reports that despite the challenges presented by the impact of US strikes on the film slate, UK cinema admissions for 2024 finished up on 2023, heralding a remarkable recovery in the final months of the year.

Iain Jacob, chairman of the cross-industry body Cinema First, which represents UK exhibitors and distributors, reports that despite the challenges presented by the impact of US strikes on the film slate, UK cinema admissions for 2024 finished up on 2023, heralding a remarkable recovery in the final months of the year.He said, the Cinema Advertising Association has confirmed final admissions figure for the year as 126,514,784, which is up 2.3 percent over 2023..

While the first half of the year enjoyed strong performances from titles such as Dune: Part Two, the ongoing impact of the previous autumn’s strikes undoubtedly saw fewer major films released, and it was only in the summer months that admissions truly started to pick up, with Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine and Despicable Me 4 in particular enjoying major success.

Jacob said that the releases of Paddington in Peru, Gladiator 2, Wicked, Moana 2, Mufasa: The Lion King and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 during that period confirmed the long-held belief that when the films are there, audiences will return.

November admissions were up an incredible 77 per cent compared with the same month in 2023, and December saw 15,679,232 admissions, up almost 36 per cent on the previous year and was the UK’s biggest cinema-going month of the year.

“Cinema retains a unique position in the hearts of the public, combining a unique social experience with sheer joy and escapism.,” Jacob said. “When great films are combined with all of the investments we have seen in the modern cinema environment, audiences follow their passion for a fantastic trip out. 2025 will be a big year for UK cinema.”