October 1, 2024
In a dazzling display of cinematic fervor, Saudi Arabia’s box office has witnessed an unprecedented surge as September draws to a close. The confluence of World Cinema Day (September 20-23) and Saudi National Day (September 23) has catapulted movie admissions to stratospheric heights, painting a vivid picture of the Kingdom’s burgeoning love affair with the silver screen.
The Saudi Film Commission reports a remarkable trajectory in Saudi Arabia’s cinema landscape. The numbers tell a compelling story: a 69.96% increase in admissions from week two to week three and a 15.96% average week-on-week increase, based on admissions data for the first four weeks of September.
As the largest cinema advertising representative in the Kingdom, Motivate Val Morgan reports that admission figures for their circuit stood at 330,000 for the week of September 19-25 alone (a 107% growth from the previous week), contributing to a monthly total of over 798,000 admissions based on MVM’s CineMeasure dashboard data from September 1 to September 25.
Analyzing the drivers behind these impressive figures reveals a landscape dominated by diverse and enduring hits. The true marvel lies in the sustained success of the Arabic comedy X Merati. Now in its tenth week, the film attracted 106,800 admissions in September alone, bringing its total to an awe-inspiring 399,600 admissions and generating a monumental SAR 18.4 million at the box office. This enduring draw highlights a growing trend in Saudi cinema: the rise of “leggy” films that continue to captivate audiences well beyond the traditional opening weekend surge.
The Hollywood counterparts to these enduring hits are equally impressive. The Marvel blockbuster Deadpool and Wolverine demonstrated similar staying power, amassing 487,300 total admissions and earning SAR 26 million. In the same vein, the female-driven drama It Ends With Us struck a chord with women audiences, clocking in 273,600 admissions and generating SAR 14.1 million at the KSA box office, further exemplifying the market’s appetite for diverse, long-running films.
The diversity of the Saudi box office was further showcased with the strong debut of the Tamil film The Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T), which secured an impressive 29,400 admissions, and Transformers One, which brought in 21,900 during its opening week. Meanwhile, the psychological thriller Speak No Evil, starring James McAvoy, maintained steady momentum with 87,600 admissions over three weeks, reflecting the eclectic tastes of Saudi moviegoers.
Saudi year-over-year comparisons reveal a rapidly expanding market, with admission numbers that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago. This growth, paired with the evolving sophistication of Saudi audiences, presents a market primed for both investment and innovation. In other words, these numbers not only reflect the growing appetite for cinematic experiences but also underscore the unparalleled opportunity for brands to engage with a captive and enthusiastic audience.
As we look to the future, with major titles such as Joker: Folie à Deux, Venom, Smile 2, Gladiator 2, and more Arabic and Indian movies set to release in the months ahead, the data suggests we’re merely at the beginning of Saudi Arabia’s cinematic renaissance. The combination of strategic initiatives like World Cinema Day, the emotional pull of national celebrations, and a diversifying slate of film offerings has created a perfect storm for sustained growth.
For industry stakeholders, from studio executives to brand marketers, the message is clear: the Saudi cinema landscape is not just a market to watch, but a phenomenon to be part of.
Click here to check out the full list of movies and submit your inquiries.
Sources: MVM CineMeasure, The Saudi Film Commission
Related Articles:
Saudi Box Office Hits 8.5M Ticket Sales as Global Box Office Surges to US$21B in 2024
‘It Ends With Us’ Draws Female Audiences to Cinemas
