When Gladiator 2 was released at the Pathé cinema, nearly 300 spectators attended the 11 p.m. screening. Reading the CCM figures, the Moroccan film sector is booming in the year 2024. Here are the details.
Moroccans seem to be reconciling themselves with cinema. The recent release in Morocco of the sequel to the classic Gladiator caused a sensation in Casablanca. For a sector that was said to be moribund, these last few months mark a comeback. Challenge has witnessed what we can call “the return of the dark rooms”.
While streaming platforms dominate homes with a multitude of series and films available online, cinemas, long neglected, are coming back to life. During our field investigation, we noted a notable crowd, even at a late hour. Nearly 300 spectators were present at the 11 p.m. screening last Friday to discover Gladiator 2.
Read also | Cinema, an instrument of soft power?
To the great joy of Pathé Maroc, an audience of all ages was there: young people, children, adults, and even a few elderly people. Beyond the film, Pathé offers a complete experience, thanks to the latest generation equipment and high-end theaters offering total immersion in each screening. This concept has appealed to Casablanca residents, eager for visual, sound and even ergonomic sensations.
Can we now talk about a new offer that rivals that of streaming platforms?
The return of cinemas: a confirmed trend
Contacted by Challenge to decipher this craze, director Fouad Souiba explains:
“There is surely a renewed interest in cinemas, where the public is pampered and attention is paid to the smallest details. Quality programming is essential. Releasing an outdated film in theaters, which no one talks about anymore, has no point. On the other hand, a film benefiting from international media promotion and buzz on social networks always attracts audiences. And the enthusiasm is very real. »
Read also | Fouad Souiba: “Distribution and exhibition remain the poor relations of the film industry in Morocco”.
He adds: “The comfort of the welcome, the optimal screening conditions and the on-site services make all the difference. Spectators want to be able to eat, drink, and share a friendly moment with their loved ones. This environment plays a key role in building trust. The Moroccan public is no less demanding than others, which foreign investors have understood. However, a challenge remains: improving the share of revenue allocated to Moroccan producers. Despite the good results of national films, the revenues earned by them are insufficient. This deserves careful consideration. »
When the CCM sets the tone
According to the annual report of the Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM), 34 Moroccan feature films were released this year, a record figure which reflects the growing vitality of the national film industry. Among the major successes, the film Dados generated 8,706,829 dirhams, followed by Houma li bqaw: Jouj with 4,929,587 dirhams in revenue. Nayda and Ana Machi Ana occupy fourth and fifth places respectively at the national box office. These figures demonstrate a renewal of the Moroccan public’s interest in its own cinema.
Read also | Moroccan cinema: Things are… not going well!
However, foreign productions, particularly American, continue to dominate the market. Films like Barbie and Oppenheimer recorded 4,879,094 dirhams and 3,962,641 dirhams in revenue respectively. In 2024, 85 American films were screened, totaling 791,966 admissions (or 46% of the market) and revenues reaching 41 million dirhams. For comparison, Moroccan films, with around 32 million dirhams, occupy 35% of the theatrical market.
According to the CCM, this growth is also driven by record foreign investments in the sector. In 2024, 1.14 billion dirhams were injected into productions filmed in Morocco, the highest figure since 2015. This once again demonstrates the attractiveness of Morocco as a preferred destination for international productions.
Related News :