Saudi Arabia in 2021 continued its exponential growth as a theatrical box office market with revenue totaling $238 million for the year, a 95% increase compared with 2020 when the total intake had been $122 million, according to figures provided by Comscore.
Just four years after removal of the kingdom’s 35-year-old religion-related ban on movie theaters, Saudi has now consolidated its status — attained in 2020 — as the West Asia region’s top theatrical market in terms of gross box office. Once again it bested the United Arab Emirates where total 2021 grosses amounted to $130 million.
All told, 340 new feature films were released into Saudi Arabian cinemas in 2021, up from 222 in 2020. The top-grossing 2021 title was Egyptian comedy “Waafet Reggaala” (“A Stand Worthy of Men”), which pulled over $15 million, making the Arabic-language “Hangover”-style pic the country’s top grosser ever since moviegoing was re-instated in January 2018.
Just like in many other countries, in Saudi the top-grossing Hollywood...
Just four years after removal of the kingdom’s 35-year-old religion-related ban on movie theaters, Saudi has now consolidated its status — attained in 2020 — as the West Asia region’s top theatrical market in terms of gross box office. Once again it bested the United Arab Emirates where total 2021 grosses amounted to $130 million.
All told, 340 new feature films were released into Saudi Arabian cinemas in 2021, up from 222 in 2020. The top-grossing 2021 title was Egyptian comedy “Waafet Reggaala” (“A Stand Worthy of Men”), which pulled over $15 million, making the Arabic-language “Hangover”-style pic the country’s top grosser ever since moviegoing was re-instated in January 2018.
Just like in many other countries, in Saudi the top-grossing Hollywood...
- 1/11/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
When Saudi Arabia announced it was opening movie theaters for the first time in 35 years back in late 2017, there was excitement from international exhibitors and Hollywood studios who saw a fertile new market of opportunity. Importantly, 70% of the Kingdom’s 34M population is under 30 and has money to spend.
And spend they have, with impressive box office progression. From April 2018 through late December this year, grosses reached over $454M, per comScore[/link]. Even with the Covid shutdown in 2020, that year saw a 26% increase on 2019. This year so far is already 85% bigger than last at about $230M. Saudi currently ranks as the No. 14 global market (although that comes with an asterisk given Covid impact elsewhere).
Says one international distribution exec of Saudi’s potential, “It’s going to be really important. It’s going to be a billion-dollar market.” High ticket prices (about $16-$18 each) will also help push it ahead.
Adon Quinn,...
And spend they have, with impressive box office progression. From April 2018 through late December this year, grosses reached over $454M, per comScore[/link]. Even with the Covid shutdown in 2020, that year saw a 26% increase on 2019. This year so far is already 85% bigger than last at about $230M. Saudi currently ranks as the No. 14 global market (although that comes with an asterisk given Covid impact elsewhere).
Says one international distribution exec of Saudi’s potential, “It’s going to be really important. It’s going to be a billion-dollar market.” High ticket prices (about $16-$18 each) will also help push it ahead.
Adon Quinn,...
- 12/26/2021
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Italia Film, the prominent Middle East film distributor with close Hollywood ties, has reached more than two million admissions this year to date in Saudi Arabia, which it says marks a milestone.
The results provide fresh proof that moviegoing is booming in the region following the 2017 removal of its religion-related ban on cinema.
The Beirut-based company has longstanding exclusive relationships with major Hollywood studios and indies including Disney, STX Entertainment, and Lionsgate. It was the first to obtain a film distribution license in Saudi in 2018 following the 35-year ban. Italia Film has now announced becoming the first distributor to cross the two million admissions mark in Saudi on September 26, just as the family-run company mourns the death earlier this month of its founder Joseph Vincenti.
Italia Film’s top 2021 title in Saudi so far is Disney’s “Cruella,” which has scored $9.1 million locally since its late May release, making the...
The results provide fresh proof that moviegoing is booming in the region following the 2017 removal of its religion-related ban on cinema.
The Beirut-based company has longstanding exclusive relationships with major Hollywood studios and indies including Disney, STX Entertainment, and Lionsgate. It was the first to obtain a film distribution license in Saudi in 2018 following the 35-year ban. Italia Film has now announced becoming the first distributor to cross the two million admissions mark in Saudi on September 26, just as the family-run company mourns the death earlier this month of its founder Joseph Vincenti.
Italia Film’s top 2021 title in Saudi so far is Disney’s “Cruella,” which has scored $9.1 million locally since its late May release, making the...
- 9/29/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
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