Cinemas in Portugal set a fresh milestone
In the first half of 2025, Portuguese cinemas have witnessed a significant surge in both attendance and revenue, making it the best performance since 2019. The increase in viewers and revenue can be attributed to a variety of factors, with higher ticket prices being one of them.
The most watched film of the year in Portugal, 'Lilo and Stitch', has been a major contributor to this growth. Released in May, the animated classic generated over 560,000 viewers and €3.5 million in revenue in just over a month since its premiere. This makes it the most watched film of the year in Portugal.
Another standout performer is 'On Falling' by Laura Carreira, the most watched Portuguese film this year, with 13,000 viewers and €75,000 in accumulated revenue since its premiere in March. This film has been a testament to the growing interest in Portuguese cinema among audiences.
The first half of 2025 saw a total of 5.5 million viewers at Portuguese cinemas, marking a 16.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This increase in viewers translated to a revenue of €35.1 million, a 20.6% rise compared to the first half of 2024.
The month of June 2025 has been particularly successful for Portuguese cinemas, with a 41.8% increase in revenue compared to the same month in 2024. The revenue for June 2025 reached €6.5 million, the highest June revenue since records began, at least since 2004. This surge in revenue was accompanied by a 34.6% increase in the number of people visiting Portuguese cinemas, with 994,000 people visiting in June 2025.
While specific data for the number of films released in June 2025 or the first half of 2025 is not available, the broader European and global trends suggest that cinemas are recovering but still face challenges in reaching pre-pandemic levels. The growth in premium formats and increased demand for unique experiences might be beneficial for Portuguese cinemas as well, should they adopt similar strategies.
As we look towards the second half of 2025, it will be interesting to see how Portuguese cinemas continue to perform and adapt to the changing landscape of the global cinema industry.
News highlights showcase the continued success of Portuguese cinemas in the first half of 2025, with entertainments like 'Lilo and Stitch' and 'On Falling' driving a significant surge in attendance and revenue. The animated movie 'Lilo and Stitch', the most watched film this year in Portugal, attracted over 560,000 viewers and generated €3.5 million in just over a month. Concurrently, 'On Falling', the most watched Portuguese film of the year, accrued 13,000 viewers and €75,000 in revenue since its premiere in March, signifying a rising interest in Portuguese movies and TV shows.
