Kinepolis Group, the multinational cinema chain, has reported a challenging start to 2025, citing a weak film release schedule in the first quarter as the primary reason behind an 11.6% drop in global visitor numbers.
However, the company remains upbeat as a strong second quarter signals a promising turnaround. In its latest financial update, the group revealed that it welcomed 6.45 million visitors globally in the first half of the year.
The decline was most notable in March, which lacked major new releases, especially compared to last year’s successes like Dune: Part Two and Kung Fu Panda 4.
In Belgium alone, 1.21 million moviegoers visited Kinepolis locations, a figure that also reflected the early-year dip in attendance.
CEO Eddy Duquenne acknowledged the sluggish start but emphasized the significant recovery seen since April. “The beginning of the second quarter was markedly better,” he said. “With the release of Minecraft: The Movie, we are already seeing signs of a resurgent Hollywood and a return to strong box office performance.”
Kinepolis operates cinemas across eight countries, including Belgium, France, Canada, Spain, the Netherlands, the United States, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.
While the company reported lower overall revenue and net profit compared to the same period in 2024, Duquenne underscored that key operational metrics remain stable.
“Revenue per visitor continues to grow steadily, and cost management across all markets has been effective,” Duquenne noted, suggesting the group’s resilience amid shifting box office trends. He added that despite temporary lulls tied to the film calendar, the company remains confident in its long-term outlook.
A significant factor in Kinepolis’ optimism is the anticipated strength of the upcoming release schedule. Unlike last year, when the film line-up only picked up in late June, 2025’s schedule is more front-loaded.
April’s strong opening, bolstered by the family-friendly appeal of Minecraft, is expected to be followed by a steady stream of high-profile films in the months ahead.
“We are particularly excited about the diversity and quality of titles lined up for the rest of the year,” Duquenne said. “From action-packed franchises to award-season contenders, the slate offers something for every audience.”
Industry analysts agree that the theatrical sector is still navigating a delicate post-pandemic recovery, further complicated by Hollywood production delays and streaming competition.
However, a return to big-screen spectacles and audience-friendly content appears to be drawing viewers back to cinemas.
As Kinepolis enters the second half of the year with renewed momentum, the company is positioning itself to capitalize on an expected wave of summer and autumn releases.
Duquenne concluded, “The fundamentals of our business are strong. With the right content, we’re confident in our ability to deliver a great cinematic experience and restore our growth trajectory.”
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
