In 2021, cinemas recorded an increase of more than 40% in audience and revenues, compared to 2020, but cinema exhibition continued to be “profoundly” affected by the pandemic, revealed today, January 11, the Instituto do Cinema e Audiovisual (ICA).
According to provisional data from the ICA on cinema exhibitions in Portugal, in 2021, cinemas welcomed 5.468.858 spectators, or 43,8% more (1.666.197 entries) than in 2020.
In terms of gross box office revenue, there was an increase of 48,7% (about 10 million euros), from 20,5 million euros in 2020 to 30,5 million euros in 2021.
Despite the increase registered, and the slight recovery compared to 2019, the ICA considers that the data should be read “in light of a year marked by profound constraints” in cinematographic exhibition, resulting from the “exceptional measures” imposed by the Government to contain the spread. of covid-19, namely the period of confinement decreed at the beginning of 2021.
Due to the emergence of the new coronavirus, in 2020 Portuguese cinemas suffered a 75,55% drop in audience and revenue compared to the previous year.
In comparative terms, in 2019 - pre-pandemic -, Portuguese cinemas had registered 15,5 million spectators and 83,1 million euros in box office revenue.
According to ICA statistics, in 2021 the exhibition circuit had 543 movie theaters, which means that 18 theaters were without any activity.
Of these 18 closed rooms, nine were located in the Lisbon district, which increased from 146 to 137 screens in operation. The district of Aveiro lost six rooms, totaling 17 operational in 2021.
On average, each cinema session held in 2021 had 16,5 spectators.
Of the 233 films commercially released in theaters, 16 were Portuguese productions.
In terms of audience and box office revenue, the share of Portuguese cinema, in total exhibitions in 2021, is around 3%, totaling 783 thousand euros in revenue and 162.462 spectators.
The most watched film by the Portuguese in 2021 was “007: No time to die”, by Cary Fukunaga, with 435 thousand spectators and 2,6 million euros in revenue.
The most watched Portuguese film was “Bem Bom”, by Patrícia Sequeira, with 88.803 spectators and approximately 482 thousand euros in revenue.
In terms of cinema distribution, NOS Lusomundo Audiovisuais continues to be the market leader, having recorded a 48,5% increase in revenues, totaling 15,4 million euros.
However, the biggest rise in revenue was led by Cinemundo – 345% -, rising from 1,9 million euros to 8,5 million euros.
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