Cinemas in distress: visitor numbers are collapsing - what's behind it?

Cinemas in distress: visitor numbers are collapsing - what's behind it?

What's in the cinemas of France? In the last few months the air seems to be getting thinner for many small cinemas. Marie-Christine Désandré, the director of the Loft in Châtellerault, reports that visitor numbers here have fallen by a whopping 20% ​​since January 2024. A trend that is also noticeable across the country: the total number of cinema goers in France fell by almost 15% to 121.8 million over the same period. This will be particularly challenging for the 2,053 cinemas with their 6,354 screens, with less than a third of these screens in the hands of the three major operators, Pathé, CGR and UGC.

Désandré, who is also the president of Cinéo – an association of over 140 independent cinemas – attributes the reasons for this decline in part to the film offering. Viewers express their dissatisfaction with the current films, even though four new films are coming to the screen every week. The question arises: Why are film offerings no longer popular?

The search for quality

The decline in visitor numbers is causing concern. It is increasingly said that viewers expect a larger selection of high-quality films. But what is missing from current productions? Many critics have noticed that the new variety of films does not always meet the expectations of viewers. The pressure to release new films every Friday could be at the expense of creativity.

Another interesting facet are the timeless film accessories, which often tell their own story. For example, the iconic “Paraglider” from Mary Poppins was long thought lost. Judy Garland's original gown from “The Wizard of Oz” also only resurfaced after 40 years. In a special moment in film history, a model of the “Etoile de la mort” from Star Wars was once thrown away and later used as a garbage can. These stories show how important cinematic relics are to culture.

Challenges for small cinemas

It is becoming increasingly difficult for smaller cinemas to assert themselves against the competition of large chains. With ever-decreasing audience numbers, these theaters need to find ways to stand out from the crowd. The current market situation is a real challenge for cinema operators. The offer tailored to the wishes of the audience could be a solution to bring the cinemas back to life.

The lovingly designed small houses often offer a more personal experience and a completely different atmosphere than the large multiplex cinemas. So it's high time to think about the quality of the film offerings and to support small cinemas. After all, the film-loving visit is more than just a simple evening at the cinema; it is an experience that many could learn to appreciate in more difficult times.

In the long term, we can only hope that cinemas – whether large or small – will soon be able to attract more visitors to their halls again and that the films on offer will delight viewers. The desire for good stories remains unbroken, and with a bit of luck the trend will soon change.

For more information about the challenges facing cinemas in France, read more on Le Monde and learn more about iconic movie props on Allocins.