Nothing Compares to You

800 million cinema visits prove that some experiences simply cannot be replicated at home.

The Cinema Community has every reason to celebrate at the upcoming Cinema in Barcelona: Cinema in Europe is showing solid results:

In 2025, European cinemas welcomed nearly 800 million admissions (a decrease of 5,5 % compared to 2024) but stable revenues of approximately €6.9 billion at the box office. While audiences are becoming more selective about what they watch, they continue to choose cinema for experiences that cannot be replicated at home.

And the numbers tell an interesting story.

The world's most visited cinema is not in New York, London, or Los Angeles. It is in Paris. The UGC Ciné Cité Les Halles welcomed almost 2.6 million visitors in 2025, maintaining its position as the busiest cinema on the planet. With 27 screens and more than 3,800 seats, it remains a symbol of Europe's enduring cinema culture.

The films attracting audiences are equally diverse. Family entertainment and event movies continue to dominate. Perhaps most encouraging is the strength of local storytelling. In Germany, local films achieved their highest market share since 2022. Across Europe, local productions accounted for roughly 31% of all admissions, significantly above pre-pandemic levels.

At the same time, exhibitors continue to invest in premium experiences, larger formats, and enhanced presentation quality. The message is clear: audiences may visit less often, but when they do, they want an experience worth leaving home for.

The future of cinema is not just bigger screens. It's bigger experiences. Ushio is proud to help illuminate them.