The Saudi box office kicked off January 2025 with a stellar start, recording over 850,000 admissions in the first two weeks. This remarkable achievement underscores unprecedented growth in both attendance and revenue for the Saudi cinema industry—an integral part of the Kingdom’s 2030 Vision.
According to data from our proprietary cinema advertising platforms CinePlan and CineMeasure, Saudi box office admissions surged by 85.85% in January 2025 compared to the last two weeks of December 2024. Additionally, admissions in the second week of January rose by 30% over the first, showcasing the Kingdom’s robust theatrical momentum.
A significant contributor to this growth was the exceptional performance of two Arabic films. The first, the Egyptian feature El Hana El Ana Feeh, made a modest debut with SAR 2 million in December. However, the film displayed remarkable staying power, recording SAR 5.9 million in its second week, SAR 6.5 million in its third week, and SAR 4.7 million in its fourth week. By January 11, the Arabic comedy had accumulated SAR 19.3 million, setting new benchmarks for Arabic-language cinema in Saudi Arabia.
The second standout performer was the Saudi production Hubal. After earning SAR 1.5 million in its opening week, the film achieved substantial growth, collecting SAR 7.5 million in its second week (ending January 11) and reaching a total of SAR 9.1 million.
Looking forward, the future of cinema in the GCC region, particularly in Saudi Arabia, appears exceptionally promising. Statista projects the GCC box office market to reach SAR 1.88 billion (US$500.40 million) in 2025, with Saudi Arabia contributing SAR 1.13 billion (US$301.40 million)—approximately 60% of the region’s total revenue.
The Saudi cinema market is poised to sustain strong growth, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.48% from 2025 to 2029, reaching SAR 1.35 billion (US$359.10 million) by 2029. Market penetration is also expected to rise from 16.0% in 2025 to 17.5% by 2029.
The broader GCC cinema market is also set for significant expansion, with a projected CAGR of 4.56% during the same period, potentially reaching SAR 2.24 billion (US$598.00 million) by 2029. User participation across the GCC is expected to climb from 20.7% in 2025 to 22.4% by 2029.
These growth projections highlight the significant potential of the regional cinema market, even when compared to mature markets like the United States, where box office revenues are expected to hit US$11.5 billion (SAR 43.13 billion) in 2025.
Saudi Arabia’s outstanding December 2024 and January 2025 box office performance, combined with these optimistic forecasts, affirms the nation’s ongoing cinema renaissance. The growth is driven by local film production, increasing demand for diverse cinematic experiences, and sustained investment in cinema infrastructure.
Further data reveals that Saudi Arabia’s cinema sector demonstrates strong consumer spending, with average revenue per viewer projected to reach SAR 186.38 (US$49.70) in 2025—well above the GCC average of SAR 148.65 (US$39.64).
Source: Saudi Ministry of Culture, Statista, CinePlan and CineMeasure
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!
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Source: MVM CineMeasure, The Saudi Film Commission, The Box Office Mojo, Gower Street
