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For the first time since cinemas re-opened on 4 July, we now have two full weekends to compare in terms of cinema attendance and the outcome is very positive. Last weekend’s DCM admissions were up 41% on the previous weekend and a massive 400% since the weekend the cinemas reopened (4 July).
While the numbers remain small with 113 cinemas open in the UK this past weekend (13% of the cinema marketplace), overall the industry-wide Box Office for UK & Ireland was also up by 6%, across a wide variety of content. This performance is also impressive due to the lack of new content, ahead of the new blockbusters Mulan and Tenet due to release next month.
Looking more closely at the Box Office, the weekend’s top film was Pixar’s Onward, which grossed just under £50k, an increase of 38% from last weekend and its average occupancy also increased by 31% per screening from last weekend. There has been a big appetite for family content with families found to be one of the most eager audiences to return to the cinema according to the latest Cinema First research.
Last weekend’s top film, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back fell to second, adding £33k. While Trolls: World Tour came in third, adding £23k, for a total of £115k, all achieved since cinemas re-opened. The best performing new release is still Black Water: Abyss which added £16k for a new total of £60k. Dirty Dancing (30th Anniversary) completed the top five, probably proving a popular drive-in title. The one new release this weekend was Danish animated title Dreambuilders, which opened in sixth with £13k.