The cinema industry successfully ushered global audiences back into theatre in 2022 largely owing to the steadier flow of blockbusters in comparison to 2021, with Top Gun: Maverick, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and Avatar: The Way of Water leading the long list of successful titles this year.
While 2021 was a dress rehearsal for the future of cinemas, 2022 has proved that cinema is back for real. This was especially evident in Saudi Arabia, when the country overtook Italy in annual box office revenue (in US$ terms), highlighting the prominence of cinema in the region.
Box office in 2022 had its first test with Scream which grossed nearly US$1M in the UAE alone and marked the successful return of the horror genre in the region since the pandemic. This was followed by the chartbuster performance of Matt Reeve’s The Batman, which earned a combined US$12M in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and Marvel’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which earned US$6.7M in the UAE.
Summer blockbusters highly contributed to the recovery of the global box office in 2022, with Tom Cruise’s Top Gun: Maverick grossing a combined US$21.2M in the UAE and Saudi Arabia and over US$1.5 billion globally. Jurassic World: Dominion and Minions: The Rise of Gru also performed well, grossing over US$1.7M and US$1.64M in UAE and Saudi Arabia, respectively.
August to October was a challenging phase for cinemas in the region due to a weaker movie release schedule owing to pandemic-related delays. The year however ended on a high note with the release of James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water, which earned close to US$10M in the UAE in its opening weeks. Arabic titles such as Bahebek, 3amohom, and Men Agl Zeko also topped the 2022 charts across GCC.
Here’s our 2022 wrap-up featuring the top movie releases in the eight countries we cover, the most watched genres across the region, the top 15 cinema ads booked through us that lit up the big screen, and last but not least, the new cinema locations added to our circuit and our milestones:
UAE
Saudi Arabia
Egypt
Oman
Kuwait
Bahrain
Qatar
Lebanon
The 15 blockbuster ads (in no particular order) – booked through Motivate Val Morgan, that lit up the big screen in 2022 (also featured in Campaign Middle East):
Brand: Mercedes-Benz Burmester
Title: Innovations by Mercedes-Benz: Dolby Atmos
Media Agency: OMD
Brand: NEOM
Title: Trojena – Journey To New Heights
Media Agency: Starcom
Brand: Emirates
Title: Gerry the Goose Flies Better
Media Agency: UM MENA
Brand: Rolex
Title: Rolex & Cinema – The Path
Media Agency: Mindshare
Brand: Sephora
Title: Amna Al Qubaisi – Emirati F3 Driver – Redefining Beauty with Sephora
Media Agency: Spark Foundry – Publicis Media
Brand: Malabar Gold
Title: Brides of India
Brand: Hermès
Title: Terre d’Hermès
Media Agency: Havas Media
Brand: Thailand Tourism
Title: Amazing Thailand
Media Agency: Media Republic
Brand: Hayatna
Title: Grow Your World With Hayatna
Media Agency: Hearts & Science
Brand: Riyadh Book Fair
Media Agency: Blue Horizon
Brand: Infiniti QX60
Title: Take the Wheel
Media Agency: OMD
Brand: Jindal Shadeed
Media Agency: United Media Services
Brand: Theeb
Brand: Yas Island
Title: Yas Yas Baby
Media Agency: Initiative Media
Brand: Al Nahdi Pharmacies
2022 saw our cinema circuit expand with several new locations:
Our dedicated cinema buying platform – CinePlan and CineMeasure, was launched, which enables data-driven, audience-based buying across our network of cinemas in the Middle East. The platform was also recognized as one of Campaign Middle East’s Top 10 Media Milestones of 2022.
Get ready for an exciting year at the movies in 2023! Here are the top 20 movies to look forward to over the year ahead:
For more on the movies coming out in 2023, be sure to check out our sizzle reel
In this edition of ‘What’s Buzzin Behind the Screen’, we bring you the latest industry news – everything you need to know about what’s happening behind the scenes in Hollywood. From the latest trailer releases, to box office collections and movie announcements, here’s the October 2021 update:
Stay tuned for the latest industry news in our November 2021 edition.
Source: Screen Rant, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Rotten Tomatoes and Cinema Blend
BOO to you from our CREW!
Halloween will soon be upon us, and while this day is celebrated around the world with costume parties and trick-or-treating, it is also a day that has long inspired some of the scariest films over the years.
Whether you’re in the mood for a good scare or prefer to celebrate the day with a bit of humor, there’s a Halloween movie for every taste.
New movie releases over the weekend of Halloween include:
Terminator: Dark Fate
Director – Tim Miller
Starring – Mackenzie Davis, Linda Hamilton, and Arnold Schwarzenegger
The Addams Family
Directors – Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon
Voiced by -Oscar Isac, charlize Theron and Chloë Grace Moretz
In addition to the above, there are also older movie releases you can watch in the comfort of your home to get into the spirit of Halloween. From childhood classics, psychological thrillers and cult favorites, we guarantee you’ll find something to ‘tickle your fancy’ from our list of 30 spooky movies to watch this Halloween:
Hocus Pocus (1993)
Halloween movies need not be dark, bloody, and nightmare-inducing. For many, the Halloween season doesn’t begin until they’ve viewed this classic starring Kathy Najimy, Bette Midler, and Sarah Jessica Parker.
Beetlejuice (1988)
Raise your hand if you’ve ever worn a Beetlejuice-inspired costume for Halloween or, more important, dressed up as Winona Ryder’s Lydia (aka the goth girl) from the movie. The movie also stars Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis and Michael Keaton.
Hereditary (2018)
Who agrees that Toni Collette should have been nominated for all the awards for this Ari Aster movie? And how about that terrifying lucking sound her daughter makes in the movie… creepy!
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Tim Burton’s unlikely love story is just eerie enough to include in your Halloween must watch line-up. The movie stars Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder.
Halloween (1978)
For those who get a thrill from horror movies, John Carpenter’s Halloween is a must watch. Get ready to witness for the first time, or all over again, murderer Michael Myers escapes a psychiatric hospital on the night before Halloween then returns to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois to terrorize scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis. Jamie Lee Curtis reprised her role as Laurie Strode in the 2018 continuation of the time-tested franchise.
Practical Magic (1998)
Looking for enjoyable escapism? Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman play supernatural sisters earnestly attempting to end a family curse that keeps them from finding true love.
The Nun (2018)
The trailers alone were terrifying enough! The movie – about a mysterious Romanian abbey, is sure to give you full-blown nightmares.
Trick ‘r Treat (2007)
Not your average scary movie, Trick ‘r Treat follows five interwoven stories over the course of one fateful Halloween.
Get Out (2017)
Fans were captivated by this horror/thriller by Jordan Peel – starring Allison Williams and Daniel Kaluuya. The twists and turns will keep you guessing until the very end.
Zombieland (2009)
The world has gone all zombie… with only a few humans left to fight them off – which Woody Harrelson has no problems doing! The sequel Zombieland: Double Tap released in cinemas on 17 October 2019. Might as well watch them both this Halloween!
The Sixth Sense (1999)
“I see dead people” is one of the most famous movie quotes in history, and it all started in The Sixth Sense, starring Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment. This is a definite must watch/re-watch this Halloween.
The Ring (2002)
The good thing about watching this movie in 2019 is that videotapes pretty much don’t exist anymore. The bad thing is that the movie is still rather. We bet you’ll think twice about answering any phone calls while watching the movie. The film also has a sequel – The Ring 2, which released in 2005. Think you can handle watching both movies back-to-back?
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
This underrated vampire Western from director Ana Lily Amirpour is a satisfying black-and-white film for anyone who loves cats, hates men who disrespects women, and has an ear for good music.
The Conjuring (2013)
This horror film by director James Wan provides typical haunting tricks that seems fresh and terrifying once again, and guaranteed to haunt you long after you turn the lights back on. Also check out its sequel – The Conjuring 2, which released in 2016.
Saw (2004)
Watching a serial killer torture strangers for almost 2 hours is another way to get into the Halloween spirit… right? A fan of such? Then do watch its sequel from 2005 – Saw II.
Scream (1996)
You can’t let Halloween pass by without watching this one and its sequels: Screen 2 (1997), Scream 3 (2000) and Scream 4 (2011).
The Others (2001)
It’s hard to look away from Nicole Kidman’s powerhouse performance as Grace, a loving and religious mother who tries to protect her children from a photosensitivity disease that keeps them indoors.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
The original Freddy Krueger film still gives a fright – decades later. If you really want a serious spook, have a marathon with all the sequels, including the 2010 remake.
A Quiet Place (2018)
In this gripping and clever monster movie, John Krasinski and Emily Blunt put their marriage to the test by starring side by side in this super-scary release where an entire family must live in silence.
Us (2019)
Jordan Peele’s most recent thriller stars Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, and Elisabeth Moss.
The Witches (1990)
This tale of a young boy who stumbles upon a gaggle of witches is still so popular that it’s getting a remake in 2020 which will star Anne Hathaway and Octavia Spencer.
IT (2017)
Whether you opt for the 1990 original or this movie, you’ll likely need to sleep with the lights on after a viewing of this terrorizing tale. And if this movie leaves you wanting more… the sequel – IT Chapter 2, hit cinemas in September and should probably be still screening at select cinemas across the region.
Family Halloween Flicks:
Coraline (2009)
Based on the popular book, Coraline follows a young girl who accidentally finds herself in an eerie version of her own world.
Goosebumps (2015)
Jack Black stars in the thrilling live-action version of R.L. Stine’s popular books. Kids and adults will love seeing their favorite Goosebumps monsters terrorize and trick a charming small town. Yikes! And while you are at it, also watch its 2018 sequel Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween.
Scooby -Doo (2002)
Who said Halloween movies can’t be light, fun and mysterious? Scooby-Doo – starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr, Linda Cardellini and Matthew Lillard combines comedy, a few thrills.
Ghostbusters (1984)
This legendary movie features three kooky college professors who lose their university jobs. Naturally, they opt for careers in the ghost-busting business, and they team up to de-haunt houses and save people from the supernatural. We dare you to watch this classic without singing “who ya gonna call!” The 2016 Ghostbusters stars an all-female cast which includes Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wig and Kate McKinnon – down right hilarious! Summer 2020 will also witness the release of yet another Ghostbusters movie… we can’t wait!
The Adams Family (1991)
Did anyone else wish they were part of the Addams family after watching this classic? Talk about one freakishly cool family!
Hotel Transylvania (2012)
Monsters need vacations too, which is this premise behind this animated feature starring the voices of Adam Sandler as Count Dracula and Selena Gomez as his daughter, Mavis. While you are at it, also watch its sequels: Hotel Transylvania 2 and Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation.
Monster House (2006)
The scariest house on the street has a mind of its own in this spirited adventure story.
The Haunted Mansion (2003)
Eddie Murphy and his family take on the spooky residents of a neglected mansion in this Disney favorite that’s suitable for the whole family.
We ‘witch’ you a Happy Halloween!
Sources: Cosmopolitan, Country Living and Glamour
