Annual movie ticket sales in Saudi cinemas have increased by 26 percent since the country’s first year of operation following the pandemic ban, according to a report issued by the Ministry of Culture. The recent ‘State of Culture in Saudi Arabia 2021’ report reveals that cinemagoers spent $54.8 million (206.2 million riyals) in 2021, up from $2 million (7.6 million riyals) in 2018.
Among the Saudi Vision 2030 reforms, the ministry built 11 new theaters between 2020 and 2021, bringing the total estimated number to 54. It also launched a number of government initiatives to promote local industry growth.
The Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah, which debuted in 2019, is one example; the event served as a spotlight on the works of local and international filmmakers.
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) announced the sale of more than 30 million tickets on the upcoming anniversary of the lifting of the cinema ban. According to SPA, cinemas employ over 4,400 young Saudis.
Saudi, along with China, is one of the few countries experiencing positive growth in cinema revenue, as consumers shift away from theaters and toward streaming services.
