French Box Office’s Worst April in 25 Years
- Paris – French cinemas experienced a notable downturn in April, with attendance figures hitting a low not seen in 26 years.
- The CNC data indicates a stable performance compared to April 2024, showing a decrease of only 1.1%.
- during the five weeks of April, 83 films premiered in French cinemas, averaging approximately 17 new releases per week.
French Cinema Attendance Plummets to Lowest April Figure As 1999
Paris – French cinemas experienced a notable downturn in April, with attendance figures hitting a low not seen in 26 years. According to figures released by the National Cinema Centre (CNC), admissions totaled just 11.79 million in April 2025, marking the worst April performance since 1999.
The CNC data indicates a stable performance compared to April 2024, showing a decrease of only 1.1%. though, the numbers represent a substantial 36.7% drop compared to April 2023, which saw 18.6 million admissions. Industry analysts suggest the decline stems from a combination of factors, including a perceived lack of compelling film releases and unseasonably mild whether.
during the five weeks of April, 83 films premiered in French cinemas, averaging approximately 17 new releases per week. of these,11 were American productions and 48 were French. In comparison, April 2024 saw 12 American and 42 French film releases.
Cannes Film Festival: A Potential Turning Point?
Overall attendance figures for the period from May 2024 to May 2025 remain weak. With 52.63 million tickets sold as January,the industry is experiencing its lowest level since 1997,excluding the pandemic years. Notably, no single film has surpassed one million admissions in a single week this year.The film with the highest weekly attendance was Multure: the roi lion, with 986,000 tickets sold.
Despite the overall slump, some films have performed well. Minecraft, Movie, a New Zealand production, has emerged as a success, accumulating 2.3 million admissions and becoming the second-highest-grossing film of the year so far. Other notable performers include My Mother, God and sylvie Vartan, which exceeded 1.4 million tickets. A re-release of Star Wars: episode III also garnered attention, averaging 164 admissions per screening.
The industry hopes for a rebound in May, driven by the release of highly anticipated films such as Mission: Impossible – the Final Reckoning and Lilo & Stitch. The Cannes Film festival, showcasing new works from directors like Klapisch, Wes Anderson, and the Dardenne brothers, is also expected to boost cinema attendance.
french Cinema Attendance: A Q&A on the April 2025 Slump
Are French cinemas in trouble?
Yes, French cinemas experienced a significant downturn in April 2025, with attendance figures reaching their lowest point in 26 years.
What were the specific attendance figures for April 2025?
According to the National cinema Center (CNC), admissions totaled just 11.79 million in April 2025.
How does this compare to previous years?
April 2025 had the worst performance since 1999.
While a decrease of only 1.1% compared to April 2024, it represents a significant 36.7% drop compared to April 2023.
What factors are contributing to the decline in French cinema attendance?
industry analysts suggest a combination of factors, including:
A perceived lack of compelling film releases.
Unseasonably mild weather.
How many films were released in French cinemas in April 2025?
83 films premiered in French cinemas during the five weeks of April 2025, averaging about 17 new releases per week.
How many of these films were american and French productions?
11 American productions
48 french productions
How does this compare to the previous year (April 2024)?
In April 2024:
12 American films were released.
42 French films were released.
what’s the current state of the French cinema industry overall (May 2024 – May 2025)?
Overall attendance figures from May 2024 to May 2025 remained weak. With 52.63 million tickets sold as of January, the industry is at its lowest level since 1997, excluding the pandemic years.
have any films performed well during this period?
Yes, despite the overall slump, some films have performed well:
Minecraft, Movie (New Zealand production): 2.3 million admissions, the second-highest-grossing film of the year so far.
my Mother, God and Sylvie Vartan: Exceeded 1.4 million tickets sold.
A re-release of Star Wars: Episode III also garnered attention.
Were there any films that exceeded one million admissions in a single week?
No. No single film surpassed one million admissions in a single week. The film with the highest weekly attendance was Multure: the roi lion, with 986,000 tickets sold.
What are the industry’s hopes for the future?
The industry hopes for a rebound in may, driven by the release of highly anticipated films such as Mission: Unachievable – The Final Reckoning and Lilo & Stitch*. The Cannes Film Festival is also expected to boost cinema attendance.
What is the Cannes Film Festival’s potential influence?
The Cannes Film Festival, showcasing new works from well-known directors such as Klapisch, Wes Anderson, and the Dardenne brothers, is expected to positively impact cinema attendance.
Here’s a summary of key data:
| Metric | April 2025 | Compared to |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | 11.79 million | worst April since 1999 |
| Change from April 2024 | -1.1% | |
| Change from April 2023 | -36.7% | |
| Films Released (April) | 83 | ~17/week |
| American Films (April) | 11 | |
| French Films (April) | 48 | |
| Overall Attendance (May 2024-Jan 2025) | 52.63 million | Lowest since 1997 (excluding pandemic) |