Observatorio Audiovisual Europeo 'Heritage films in cinemas 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 12.5 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).

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 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.