Cinema admissions in the UK - Data and Analysis (2000-2031)

Over the five years through 2023-24, cinema admissions are forecast to decrease at a compound annual rate of 4.8% to reach 131.8 million. The cinema is one of many entertainment options that must compete on quality service, optional extras and all-around experience. The growing interest in the broader film market, improvements in technology and the growth of the multiplex cinema have encouraged more visits over the past decade. From year to year, cinema admissions are influenced by one-off events, such as the World Cup and the Olympics, weather, and blockbuster releases.In 2020-21, cinema admissions fell by 95.3% to just 8.1 million due to the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent government restrictions. In March 2020, all UK cinemas were closed as part of measures to stem the person-to-person spread of the coronavirus as the number of cases in the United Kingdom increased. As lockdown measures were eased, cinemas reopened in July 2020 with reduced capacity per government guidelines. However, rising infection rates led to new national and local lockdown measures being introduced later in the year, leading cinemas to close again between January and April 2021.In 2021-22 cinema admissions began to recover, reaching 101.8 million entries over the year, an increase of over 1000% on the previous year. Cinemas could reopen with limited capacity in May 2021 and fully reopen in July 2021. Cinemas were also aided in 2021 by several blockbuster movies that were delayed to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, including No Time to Die and The King's Man. Admission is the current year are anticipated to be supported by several blockbuster releases, including The Little Mermaid and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.