November 26, 2024
The Saudi Box Office in October featured a mix of international and regional hits, appealing to the diverse tastes of moviegoers.
October marked a pivotal moment for the global box office, raking in $2.1 billion in worldwide earnings and securing its place as the 8th highest-grossing month of the year.
For Saudi cinemas, October proved to be particularly vibrant, fueled by a strong enthusiasm for the big screen and a varied lineup of new releases. In the first week alone, 53 films collectively garnered 222,100 admissions, laying a solid foundation for sustained growth throughout the month. The Saudi box office saw an impressive $2.06 million in earnings during the first weekend of October, reflecting a remarkable 201.9% increase from the previous week, according to Box Office Mojo. Building on September’s exceptional growth, driven by World Cinema Day and Saudi National Day celebrations, October continued to maintain this positive momentum. By the end of the month, total admissions had reached 1.2 million, based on data from MVM’s CineMeasure dashboard (covering September 26 to October 31), underscoring the continued excitement and engagement of Saudi audiences with cinema.
October’s top performers showcased a mix of international blockbusters and beloved local films, catering to the diverse preferences of moviegoers. Joker: Folie à Deux stood out as one of the month’s most successful titles, earning SAR 6.0 million in its debut week with 96,700 tickets sold. Its second-week performance added SAR 3.0 million and 52,100 tickets.
Local production Pension Dalal rounded out the list of successes, earning SAR 993,000 and 18,500 tickets in its opening week, before climbing further in week two with SAR 1.1 million and 21,400 tickets sold.
Another significant highlight was The Wild Robot, a testament to the enduring popularity of animated films in Saudi Arabia. It remained a consistent presence in the top two movies throughout the month, delivering strong weekly performances. The fourth week of its release marked its peak, with SAR 4.7 million in revenue and 104,700 tickets sold—the highest weekly admissions of the month, cementing its status as a major draw for families and animation enthusiasts alike.
Venom: The Last Dance also made an impactful debut in the final week of October, grossing SAR 4.4 million and selling 77,600 tickets. Meanwhile, thrillers like Smile 2 performed admirably, generating SAR 1.9 million in its first week with 35,100 tickets sold.
This diverse range of genres captivated the Saudi audience, making it a prime market for varied cinematic experiences.
Mufasa: The Lion King, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, and the much-anticipated Indian regional film Pushpa 2: The Rule are set to hit the screens, promising to draw even larger crowds and offering unique opportunities for brands to align themselves with these highly anticipated movies.
October’s performance, driven by diverse stories and audience engagement, highlights the Kingdom’s ever-evolving cinema landscape. As Saudi Arabia continues to embrace its cinematic journey, there’s no better time to be part of this cultural transformation. Stay tuned for the excitement to come as the year closes with more unforgettable moments on the big screen!
Click here to check out the full list of movies and submit your inquiries.
Source: MVM CineMeasure, The Saudi Film Commission, The Box Office Mojo, Gower Street
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