Saudi Arabia now boasts 66 cinemas, housing approximately 618 screens and offering a total of 63,373 seats.
The cinema sector in Saudi Arabia has seen remarkable growth, with revenues totalling approximately SAR 3.7bn ($0.99bn) and ticket sales surpassing 61m from April 2018 to March of the current year, according to the General Authority for Media Regulation. These figures mark a significant milestone, six years after the kingdom’s first cinemas were opened.
Hanaa Al-Omair, President of the Saudi Cinema Society, expressed enthusiasm about the thriving box office, noting that Saudi Arabia now leads as the fastest-growing market in the Middle East. The emergence of Saudi cinema over the past years is seen as a promising development, signalling positive momentum in the industry, according to a report by Saudi Gazette.
Al-Omair highlighted the increase in Saudi cinematic content, with approximately 19 Saudi films released last year alone. She emphasised that this trend indicates progress and signifies that Saudi cinema is moving in the right direction.
The expansion of cinema halls has contributed to greater purchasing power, further boosting the success of the Saudi box office. Currently, there are 1,971 films screened in Saudi Arabia, including 45 local productions. The kingdom boasts 66 cinemas across 22 cities, with a total of 618 screens and 63,373 seats.
Continuous efforts to strengthen the cinema industry have yielded significant progress, with a focus on cultural and civilizational development. The hosting of local and international film festivals such as the “Red Sea Festival” and the “Saudi Film Festival” has positioned the Kingdom as a hub for creativity and excellence.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia has become an attractive destination for directors, actors, artists, and investors worldwide, offering investment opportunities through financial support for local cinematic projects provided by the Cultural Fund.
