UK Cinema Admissions Tumble 30% Below Pre-Covid Levels

Cinema admissions across the UK in 2025 totalled 123.5 million, a 2% decrease on 2024 and a steep 30% lower than pre-Covid 2019 stats. 

The figures were released this morning as part of the BFI’s annual statistics report. 

While admissions fell last year, box office takings in the UK in 2025 totalled £996.8 million, up 2% on 2024 but down 21% on 2019’s pre-pandemic £1.3 billion.

The highest-grossing release of 2025 in the UK and Ireland was A Minecraft Movie with £56.9 million, followed by Wicked: For Good with £47 million.

Seventeen of 2025’s top 20 films were sequels, parts of pre-existing franchises, remakes, or films based on video game intellectual property. This is up from 15 in 2024. The three releases outside this group were The Housemaid, Sinners, and F1 the Movie.

The highest-grossing UK independent release of 2025 was The Rose with £10.3 million, followed by We Live In Time, The Salt Path, I Swear, and The Choral. In 2025, 10 UK independent films earned more than £2 million at the UK and ROI box office, compared with nine in 2024. In 2019, all 20 of the top UK independent releases earned £2 million or more.

The total revenue of the top 20 UK independent films in 2025 was £61.9 million — a 90% share of the year’s box office for all UK independent Comscore-reported film releases. In 2024, the top 20 UK independent films earned £63.9 million, which was a 93% share of the box office for UK independent releases. In 2019, the top 20 UK independent films earned £144.6 million, an 83% share.

“Productions led by UK talent in front or behind the camera, and those which showcase our renowned and technically skilled crews, consistently attract audiences at home and across the globe,” BFI Chief Executive Ben Roberts said in a statement.

“This has seen Wicked: For Good and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy leading the UK box office, and titles such as The Roses, We Live In Time and awards-front runners including Pillion, I Swear and The Ballad of Wallis Island helping to hold our market share steady.”