UNIC - International Union of Cinemas

04/09/2026

What a summer for cinemas!

Globally, August box office reached an incredible $4.645 billion – the highest-grossing August of all time and the biggest month of the decade so far!

And EMEA had an exceptional month too. According to Gower Street Analytics, August was the region’s highest-grossing month since 2019, with box office:

📈 +88% year-on-year
📈 +38% compared with the previous strongest August of the decade, in 2023
📈 +29% year-to-date compared with 2025

August also marked the eighth consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year growth for EMEA.

Across Europe, the strong summer was reflected in individual markets too: France welcomed more than 20 million cinemagoers in August, Italy more than tripled its box office compared with last year (+205% YoY) and Germany recorded +53% year-on-year growth, to name just a few.

05/08/2026

UNIC monitors cinema performance across nearly 40 countries in Europe and beyond, and last weekend's figures paint a remarkable picture.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day delivered an extraordinary opening weekend, attracting almost 16 million admissions and generating more than €145.7 million at the box office, in those markets.

Building on the momentum cinemas have enjoyed in the first half of the year – and following the phenomenal success of The Odyssey (also starring Tom Holland, Zendaya & Jon Bernthal) – these outstanding results are a powerful reminder that nothing beats the magic of the big screen.

Have you seen both films? After 2023's Barbenheimer, 2026 is the year of Spider-ssey. ☺️ See you at the movies!

Figures based on data shared with UNIC by Rentrak.

20/07/2026

🎙️New UNIC People Programme Podcast!

The ninth episode of the UNIC People Programme Podcast is now live.

In this episode, Laura Houlgatte speaks with Michelle Stevens, Studio Executive Director at Powster, about what inclusive leadership looks like in practice. Together, they explore the importance of authenticity, empathy and mentoring, and discuss how diverse perspectives help create stronger, more innovative organisations.

🎧 Listen now: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0S6fRgeOwKSNqxgA1D3JaU?si=xCprac3uTVuZZoOkdTCTyQ

UNIC People Programme Podcast · Episode

17/07/2026

🎬 3 Q’s with Züleyha Azman (Marketing Director & Film Programmer, KINO Rotterdam)

From curation, marketing, events, and capturing the everyday magic of KINO Rotterdam, Züleyha Azman does it all!

We caught up with her for our latest Big Screen Feature to discuss her multi-faceted role, her first love for cinema, and why nothing beats the distraction-free immersion of the big screen.

👇 Read the full interview here:

For this edition of Big Screen Feature, we spoke with Züleyha Azman Marketing Director & Film Programmer, KINO Rotterdam.

07/07/2026

EMEA's box office momentum shows no sign of slowing!

According to Gower Street Analytics, June 2026 performed +15% above the 2017–2019 average and +11% above June over the past two years. It also marked the seventh consecutive month of year-on-year growth.

With $5.3 billion at the halfway point, EMEA recorded its highest-grossing first half since 2019 and +21% year-on-year growth, the strongest of Gower Street's three global regions.

In June, France was +28% above the pre-pandemic average and +24% year-on-year, while Italy was +30% above the pre-pandemic benchmark. For the first half of the year, the Netherlands (+8%) and Germany (+6%) led performance against pre-pandemic levels, while Spain (+34%) and Italy (+26%) posted the strongest year-on-year growth.

The strong performance was supported by a combination of successful international releases and strong local films in key European markets.

06/07/2026

🇫🇷A fantastic success for La Fête du Cinéma 2026!

Over four days, more than 3.7 million people enjoyed the big screen across France – a 23% increase compared to 2025 and the second-best result of the past decade, surpassed only by the record-breaking 2024 edition.

These exceptional figures once again demonstrate the enduring appeal of the cinema experience and the vital role that national initiatives like La Fête du Cinéma play in bringing audiences together and celebrating the magic of the Big Screen.

Congratulations to the FNCF, exhibitors, distributors and all partners who made this year's event such a remarkable success! 👏 🎬

Find the full blogpost from FNCF here:
https://www.fncf.org/updir/3/CP_FDC_2026.pdf

06/07/2026

Together with UNIC CEO Laura Houlgatte, Richard Patry (FNCF) and Marc Olivier Sebbag (FNCF) met with EU policymakers and industry partners to discuss key priorities for the cinema sector, including the Warner Bros./Paramount proposed merger, theatrical exclusivity, copyright, the future of MEDIA+, and the AVMSD review. Thank you to all who took part!

On 1 July, UNIC welcomed representatives from France's cinema sector to Brussels for a dedicated Outreach Day.

01/07/2026

🎬 That’s a wrap on CineEurope 2026! 🍿

Over 3,000 industry professionals gathered in Barcelona last week to celebrate the big screen experience and mark an incredible milestone: CineEurope's 35th anniversary.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, shared their insights, and helped shape the future of cinema. And congratulations to all the awardees! We’re already counting down the days until CineEurope 2027 (June 21-24) -Save the date! 🗓️

👉 Read the full recap, access the latest UNIC Annual Report, and see all the 2026 award winners here:

CineEurope, the leading convention for cinema operators and their partners across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, took place on 22–25 June 2026. The event brought together over 3,000 industry professionals in Barcelona to celebrate the Big Screen Experience and mark the convention’s 35th ann...

30/06/2026

Leadership is not about seniority alone; it's about bringing value, perspective and authenticity.”

This month’s interview features Charline Baudry-Biancarelli, Senior Trade Marketing Manager,Universal Pictures International Entertainment, France and a mentee in the seventh edition of the UNIC Women’s Cinema Leadership Programme. She reflects on her leadership journey, the value of curiosity and mentorship, and trusting your own voice.

For this month's interview, we're delighted to feature Charline Baudry-Biancarelli, Senior Trade Marketing Manager, Universal Pictures International, France, and mentee in the seventh edition of the UNIC Women's Cinema Leadership Programme. Here she reflects on her leadership journey.

24/06/2026

🎬 Diversity and Inclusion: A Business Imperative for Cinema

A thriving cinema industry starts with its people. At , UNIC's People Programme explored how diverse and inclusive workplaces drive stronger teams, greater innovation and better business performance.

💡 Key takeaways:
• Attracting and retaining diverse talent
• Creating inclusive workplace cultures
• Building a stronger future for cinema

Thank you to our inspiring speakers:
• Dee Vassili, Vue International
• Zarah Doyle, ODEON Cinemas Group
• Diana Stratan, Toyota Europe
• Adam Cassels, Barco Cinema

Learn more about the UNIC People Programme:
https://www.unic-cinemas.org/en/industry/people-programme/