In 2024, the French box office experienced a real renaissance, reaching an impressive total of more than 181 million admissions, according to figures published by the National Center for Cinema and Animated Images (CNC). This result marks a notable increase of nearly a million admissions compared to 2023, demonstrating positive dynamics for the film industry in France.
A remarkable post-Covid recovery
France is emerging as a global leader in post-pandemic recovery, performing better than other major movie-loving nations, including the United States. Indeed, the decline in cinema attendance compared to pre-crisis was reduced to 12.8% over the whole of 2024, and to only 2.7% over the last eight months of the year. This unique performance is largely attributed to French cinema, which played a driving role in this recovery.
French films had an exceptional year, with a market share reaching 44.4%, one of the highest levels ever recorded, far surpassing that of American productions, which stood at 36.7%. This success reflects the diversity and uniqueness of the works offered: from historical drama to generational stories, including musical films, social comedies, documentaries and animated films.
According to Olivier Henrard, interim president of the CNC, this variety of content is the key to success. He underlines that this artistic wealth has made it possible not only to attract a varied audience, but also to strengthen the place of national productions on the world market, a position without equivalent internationally.
“It is the diversity and singularity of our works – historical drama, generational story, musical film, social comedy, documentary, animated film – which explain a rebound in overall attendance and a market share of our national films without equivalents in the world »commented in a press release.
A promising year 2025
The outlook for 2025 is equally optimistic. The National Federation of French Cinemas (FNCF) forecasts a further increase in attendance, thanks to an even denser cinema offering. If 2024 marked an important milestone for cinema in France, the coming year could well confirm this dynamic by attracting an ever-larger audience and consolidating the place of French cinema on the world stage.
In summary, 2024 was a year of rebirth for French cinema, which seems ready to enter 2025 with renewed momentum and ambitions to match its success.
