Download “Heritage films in cinema – A 2014-2023 analysis”

A new report “Heritage films in cinema – A 2014-2023 analysis” has just been published by the European Audiovisual Observatory, part of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. The report analyses the presence and admissions of heritage films (10 years and older) in cinemas from 2014 to 2023.

This new report finds that:

Heritage films are a significant segment of the film offer in Europe

With 12.2 million admissions in Europe in 2023 (1.5% of all cinema admissions), heritage films represent a niche market for cinema exhibition in Europe. However, they contribute significantly to the diversity of the films on offer. Taking only films with at least 1000 admissions into account, heritage films accounted for 21% of all films on release in 2023 (this increases to around 30% if all heritage films are taken into account, regardless of their number of admissions).

NUMBER OF HERITAGE FILMS ON RELEASE IN EUROPE

Admissions to heritage films are on the rise

Since 2014, admissions to heritage films have increased faster than admissions to all films, so their share of overall admissions has increased, while the number of heritage films on release has also increased, albeit at a slower rate than admissions.  Admissions to heritage films in 2022 and 2023 were significantly higher than in the pre-COVID years, with more films achieving at least 100 000 admissions in Europe (13 in 2023).

ADMISSIONS TO HERITAGE FILMS IN EUROPE (m)

Admissions to heritage films are quite concentrated

The top 100 most successful films accounted for more than half of all admissions to heritage films between 2014 and 2023 and only 78 of all of heritage? films achieved more than 200 000 admissions. However, admissions to heritage films are slightly less concentrated than admissions to all films.

France is by far the most important European market for heritage films

France represented 46% of European admissions to films aged 10 and over in 2023, followed at a distance by the United Kingdom (19%).  It’s also on the French market that the share of admissions to heritage films makes up the highest proportion of total admissions (3.2%). Public support schemes for cinema education seem to play an important role in France’s predilection for these films.

France is not only a home to French heritage films, but also by far the main export market for heritage films originating from other European countries. French national films account for only 24% of heritage admissions between 2014 and 2023, compared to 36% for all films shown in France.

BREAKDOWN OF HERITAGE ADMISSIONS BY MARKET (2023)

Heritage films are mostly re-releases

For the vast majority of films, the release of a heritage film in a country is a re-release. There are very few examples of first releases in a country, and they tend to achieve very low levels of admissions.

US films are less dominant in the heritage film market than in general

Between 2014 and 2023, US films accounted for 53% of admissions to heritage films in Europe (compared to 64% of all admissions), followed by French films (14%) and by UK films (12%).  Overall, European films made up 37% of the heritage film market.

Outside European countries and the USA, only Japan appears in the top 10 countries of origin for admissions to heritage films.

ADMISSIONS TO HERITAGE FILMS BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN (2014-2023)

Admissions to European heritage films have increased, but at slower rate than the market

In 2023, admissions were significantly higher than in 2014 and had returned to their pre-COVID levels. However, the share of European films in the heritage film market is decreasing.

Children’s films are well represented among top European heritage films

Out of the 26 European films with 200 000 admissions or more between 2014 and 2023, 9 were children’s films. France accounted for almost all of the admissions for these 9 films, probably highlighting the key role of public support schemes for cinema education.