Cinema Admissions For 2000 Reach Record Numbers, Despite Weak Second Half

The end of year cinema admission figures released by the Cinema Advertising Association (CAA) show that the number of people visiting the cinema during the year reached 142.5 million – the highest number for 26 years, and an increase of 2.5% on the previous year’s total of 139 million. As a consequence the total box office revenue for the year was up 4% on the 1999 total, at £627.5m, representing an increase over the decade of 124%.

The last three years have each seen total admissions increase by an average of 18% in a decade on decade comparison. However, 2000’s year on year gains were entirely thanks to the first half of the year, as quarter one saw a year on year increase of 11.5% in admissions and quarter two a 12.9% increase with successes including American Beauty, The Beach and Toy Story 2.

During the second half of the year, when the popularity of films such as Charlie’s Angels and Billy Elliot did not match hits of the previous year such as The Sixth Sense, quarter three witnessed a 5% decrease and quarter four a 7.2% decrease.

Despite the disappointments of the second half, a record total of 20 films grossed over £10m, compared to 13 during 1999. As for 2001, there is still a question mark hanging over the cinema industry, as the US actor’s strike threatens most of the major Hollywood projects. This could provide a further boost to the reviving British film industry, but it is unlikely that homegrown flicks would have enough pulling power to achieve a repeat of this year’s figures.

CAA: 020 7439 7575

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