Potter Enchants Moviegoers To Smash Cinema Records

Cinema admissions in November received a massive boost from the latest film in the Harry Potter series, with the Goblet of Fire fuelling a 4.3% rise in admissions year on year, as well as becoming 2005’s biggest film to date.

The movie quickly stormed Britain’s box offices, grossing £31.6 million during November and smashing numerous records along the way. The film has not only achieved the status of biggest Friday, biggest Saturday and biggest Sunday of all time, but has also claimed the biggest opening weekend of all time.

Taking second place behind Harry Potter for November was Nanny McPhee, grossing £4.8 million for the months with its alternative Mary Poppins story. The latest Wallace and Gromit film followed, taking third place after grossing £4.5 million in November, with takings of £31.9 million to date, easily cementing itself into the All Time Top Fifty.

Advertising continued to thrive in November, led by the Drink sector, with a spend of £3.5 million for the month, followed by Telecomms and Leisure Equipment to total £9 million. The top three advertisers in November were Unilever (£1.6 million), Orange (£1.1 million) and Toyota with £997,000.

The Cinema Advertising Association’s expectations for December are also strong, with the long-awaited Chronicles of Narnia and monster remake King Kong promising to end 2005 on a high. January 2006 also looks positive, with Brokeback Mountain and Match Point set to attract audiences well into the new year.

CAA: 020 7534 6363