June Sees Blockbusters Dominate Cinema

June saw several Hollywood blockbusters dominating the nation’s cinemas, as Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith secured a second month as the most popular film choice, despite pressure from Batman Begins, the fifth Batman film featuring a fourth new face behind the mask.

Last month saw Star Wars draw a total of 10.5 million admissions, with a weekly average of 2.46 million, securing the top spot and grossing £11.3 during the month. However, despite its strong performance, it did not quite reach the level achieved by Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban, released at the same point last year (see Potter Pushes June Cinema Admissions To 14.7 Million).

Meanwhile, Batman Begins secured takings of £10.8 million at the box office as audiences flocked to see a darker interpretation of Bruce Wayne’s alter-ego.

The third most popular film in June was Mr & Mrs Smith, featuring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, which grossed £10.8 million, undoubtedly buoyed by tabloid coverage of Pitt’s separation from wife, Jennifer Anniston, and Jolie’s rumoured romantic involvement with her co-star.

Graphic novel, Sin City, secured fourth place in June, with artistic direction from Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller helping the film to gross £6.6 million, while Vin Diesel’s The Pacifier improved on its May opening with a gross of £2.6 million.

June’s cinema advertising activity was lead by the telecommunication, drink and food markets, with total spend reaching £11.1 million for the month. The top three advertisers in terms of spend were Orange, shelling out £1.1 million on their out-of-reel sponsorship, followed by Unilever UK and Samsung UK, spending £1.1 million and £684,000 respectively.

July looks set to provide movie fans with yet more big budget blockbusters, as War of the Worlds, The Fantastic Four, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory all hit the silver screen.

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