Cinema admissions hit record levels in 2009
The latest Cinema Advertising Association (CAA) figures show record cinema admissions in 2009, with the highest number of people flocking to the cinema since 2002.
The overall cinema admissions for 2009 stand at 173.5 million – a 5.6 per cent increase on the previous year, despite blockbuster releases such as The Dark Knight and Mamma Mia! in 2008. These findings highlight that, in spite of the recession, audiences have shown no sign of reducing their cinema attendance.
Massive movie releases such as UK hit Slumdog Millionaire, and blockbusters such as Star Trek, Up, Ice Age 3 and of course Avatar have all contributed to 2009’s cinematic success. The strongest month for admissions in 2009 was July, which saw the release of 2009’s highest-grossing film, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. July 2009 saw the 4th highest month for cinema admissions on record with 20,039,500 going to the cinema.
16.3million cinemagoers headed to the big screen in December alone, a year-on-year increase of 32.2 per cent. The emergence of 3D as a powerful new entertainment technology saw Avatar become the number one draw in December, taking £26.9million in just 13 days. Its success pushed Twilight: New Moon from the top spot in November down to number five. The teen sensation took £5.9million in December, taking its total to £26.8m (already 2.4 times more than the total run of the first film).
The Squeakquel to 2007’s Alvin and the Chipmunks, outperformed its predecessor, creeping into second place in terms of December revenue, despite releasing late on 25th December! It took £5.3million in its first weekend compared to £1.4m for the first film and pushed the November number two movie, 2012, out of the top 10.
Guy Ritchie’s latest offering Sherlock Holmes, entered the December box office at number three taking an impressive £8.6million in the eight days of December it was released. It pushes A Christmas Carol down to number four where despite releasing at the beginning of November acquired a further £8.5million in December taking its total earnings up to £20.1million.
Anna Cremin, spokesperson, CAA comments: “2009 has certainly been a great year for cinema, with a high calibre of releases catering for the whole family. The year has seen the popularity of 3D go from strength-to-strength bolstered by the smash-hit Avatar. The second instalment of the Twilight series also proved a real pull for cinemagoers. 2009 was certainly the year that saw cinema rise to the challenge of the economic downturn – and win.”