Australian cinemas sold almost $1 billion in tickets in 2023

Investment by screen operators in the ‘big screen experience’ and a string of movie blockbusters saw Australian cinemagoers purchase almost $1 billion in tickets in 2023.

As reported by cinema reporting platform Numero, the Australian gross box office in 2023 was $986 million - up 4.4% on last year and 62% ahead on the pandemic impacted year of 2021.

Commenting on the performance Cameron Mitchell, Executive Director of Cinema Association Australasia (CAA), which represents 2000 screens across Australia and 500 locations, said the ticket office results reinforced the “incredible appeal” of the cinema experience in Australia.

Mitchell advised “despite a reduction in wide releases in 2023 - attributed to the now resolved writers and actors strikes - Australian cinema visits are forecast to have exceeded 60 million visits in Australia for the calendar year generated from the release of over 300 films.

“Average Australian ticket prices are one of the lowest globally when benchmarked against the minimum wage, making cinema one of the most affordable out-of-home entertainment option even more apparent when comparisons are made to concerts and sporting events.”

According to Box Office Mojo, Barbie was the top grossing film in Australia in 2023 generating $58.7 million, followed by The Super Mario Bros Movie ($30.9 million); Avatar: The Way of Water ($28.7 million - overall $63.7m) and Oppenheimer ($27.7 million).

Although the writers’ and actors’ strike slowed the release of movies in 2023, major cinema chains invested in premium experiences such as MAX, Hoyts LUX and Gold Class as well as upgraded foyers and bars, bigger screens, brighter projection, enhanced sound, and comfortable seats.

Targeted loyalty programs continue to reward frequent visitation with discounts. At the same time the major streaming companies were investing billions of dollars in films for initial cinema release before they were streamed.

Dave Taylor, co-founder and co-Managing Director of independent Cinebar said box office receipts were slowly improving from the pandemic years, noting “I think 2019 was almost as good as it gets and then Covid struck and it’s been a slow time but always climbing every year.

“If you follow the trend, 2025 should start to rival 2019.”

The South East Queensland-based cinema operator currently has almost 600 recliner seats with a waiter services delivering meals and drinks at its Rosalie Village complex in Brisbane and its Coolangatta theatre on the Gold Coast.

Taylor said although the pandemic had been a boon for streaming services and had an associated spike in the installation of home theatres, people were increasingly willing to embrace the premium cinema experience.

He added “if Covid taught us anything it’s no fun being home anymore, being a ‘Nigel lonesome’ in your tracksuit pants.

“The second thing is that we were a spoiled during Covid when movie houses had no choice but to release their very expensive $200m films direct to streaming.”

Click here to visit the Numero website.

Image: Barbie was the top grossing film in Australia in 2023.