Lisbon, June 6, 2025 (Lusa) - Portuguese cinemas attracted 4.5 million viewers between January and May, an increase of half a million compared to the same period in 2024, but only 1.1% saw Portuguese films, according to the Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual (ICA).
The monthly statistics on commercial cinema attendance released on Friday by the ICA show that this year, up to May, Portuguese cinemas welcomed 4,525,468 spectators, i.e. 13% more than in the same period in 2024.
In terms of box office revenue, a total of €28.5 million was recorded, an increase of 16.5% (around €4 million) compared to the same period in 2024.
Portuguese films or films co-produced in Portugal, released this year, were seen by 48,449 viewers, representing 1.1% of the total market share. In terms of box office receipts, the share is 0.8%, with a total of €228,000.
Of the 172 films released in cinemas between January and May, only 44 (25.6%) were produced or co-produced in the United States, but these were the most successful, accounting for over 67% of total screenings, both in terms of box office receipts and audience numbers.
Comparing only the performance in May, this year there was a 27.4% increase in the number of viewers compared to 2024, for a total of 852,584 admissions, and a 37% increase in box office receipts, totalling €5.3 million.
This increase can be explained by the “Cinema em Festa” (cinema festival) initiative, organised over three days in May by the Portuguese Association of Film Companies, with tickets sold at €3.50 in more than 420 cinemas.
This year, with data recorded up to May, the most watched film in cinemas was “A Minecraft Movie”, by Jared Hess, with 498,120 viewers and €3 million in revenue.
The second most watched film continues to be the Brazilian film “Ainda estou aqui” (I'm still here), by Walter Salles, with 383,829 admissions and €2.4 million at the box office.
‘On Falling’, by Laura Carreira, is the most watched Portuguese film this year, with 12,531 viewers and around €75,000 in revenue.
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