March cinema admissions strongest in over 10 years

Cinema admissions were up 21.7% year on year in March, hitting 14.5 million – making it the strongest March for admissions in over 10 years.

The latest Cinema Advertising Association (CAA) figures show that overall cinema admissions for 2010 stand at 44 million, a 6.2% increase on the same period in 2009. An impressive record, particularly as 2009 proved to be the second most successful year for cinema ever.

Alice in Wonderland was the UK’s number one cinema release for March, taking £36.3 million during the month – over four times the figure taken by the second most successful film of the month, Shutter Island. The murder-mystery took £8.3 million in March,  followed by army thriller, Green Zone, which took £5.2 million.

The past year has seen an explosion in 3D movies, with 17 released over the past 12 months, accounting for 3% of total UK releases.

Avatar took 90% of its box office takings through 3D screenings, said the CAA, although it was in fact shown on far more 2D screens. CAA research also reveals that 30% of adults insist they are more likely to watch a film in 3D than if it were in 2D.

Anna Cremin, CAA spokesperson, said: “2010 has and is continuing to be, a fantastic year for the cinema industry. 3D technology is continuing to shine, which is truly down to the high calibre of films we’re now seeing produced in this format.

“With hotly anticipated Sex and the City 2, The A-Team, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse set to hit our screens over the course of 2010, there is no doubt it is going to be a memorable year for the silver screen.”