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Cinemas in France: Audience numbers are collapsing – what’s going on?
The cinema market in France will suffer from a decline in audience numbers in 2025, triggered by a lack of blockbusters and rising ticket prices.
Cinemas in France: Audience numbers are collapsing – what’s going on?
The cinema landscape in France is suffering from an alarming decline in audience numbers, as Paris Match reported. Despite record global sales of $2.3 billion in September 2025, the best record in the last decade, France is facing its worst results in 30 years. Moviegoers this year are under 122 million through the end of October, down 15% from last year and a staggering 29% less than in 2019, the year before the pandemic. These figures paint a bleak picture for the French film industry.
Richard Patry, president of the Fédération des cinémas français, blames the industry for this misery. It is heavily indebted and is in crisis due to the energy crisis, budget cuts and inflation. An emergency cell was set up to defuse the situation. UGC will take control of Bolloré until 2028, while CGR-CMA will acquire 20% of the shares in Pathé.
Big films are missing
Another big problem is the lack of blockbusters that usually attract audiences. In 2025 there will be a lack of successful French productions; the only notable success was “God Save The Tuche”, which only managed to mobilize three million viewers. Films like “Chien Blanc” and “Kaamelott 2”, which were also released in cinemas, were unable to stop this downward trend. Comedy isn't what it used to be, and audiences are staying away.
The high ticket price of an average of 12 euros for occasional visitors in city multiplexes also contributes to the audience turning away. A survey shows that 70% of French people find the cinema too expensive, which is reflected in the low number of spectators. In addition, ten to twenty new films could be shown in cinemas every week, which further increases the overload. The multiplexes, which account for 60% of all cinema visits, are often perceived as anonymous and impersonal.
Streaming vs. cinema
The availability of streaming services has fundamentally changed the consumption behavior of viewers. Many people prefer to watch in the comfort of their own home rather than going to a cinema. On the other hand, there are some bright spots: cinemas like Méliès in Montreuil have attracted new streams of visitors through themed evenings and events. There is also hope that the upcoming third part of “Avatar”, which is scheduled for December 17, 2025, can improve the weak annual balance somewhat.
In conclusion, the future of French cinema is one of uncertainty. The challenges are diverse and it remains to be seen how the industry will respond to these critical developments. For film lovers, it may mean saying goodbye to a familiar cinema experience and preparing for a new, possibly completely different range of films, as the story of Hélène and Michel shows, who are catapulted from the 1950s into the present year Allocine reported. Their experiences are a reflection of the challenges that come with changing times.
In addition to the economic challenges in the film industry, there are also moving stories in the film itself. In "Aucinema", Hélène and Michel experience how their values and memories are tested as they find themselves in a completely new world. This narrative examination of change may offer a compelling perspective on cinema's current challenges.