Kinepolis sees bright future with return of Hollywood blockbusters
The supply of major Hollywood films, crucial for the cinema industry, has still not fully returned to pre-pandemic levels. But that is changing, cinema chain Kinepolis said during the presentation of its half-year results on Thursday.
“It is the big American blockbusters that really make or break the season,” CEO Eddy Duquenne said. The pandemic disrupted that supply as Hollywood shifted its focus to streaming and was later hit by strikes, delaying the revival of cinema releases.
That situation is now improving. Thanks to titles like A Minecraft Movie, Lilo & Stitch and Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning, Kinepolis saw a 17.3 per cent increase in visitors in the second quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
Over the first half of the year, the group welcomed 14.3 million visitors, up 2.2 per cent year-on-year.
“We see that the willingness to pay for a better experience is growing”
The outlook also appears strong. Films such as F1, Jurassic World: Rebirth and Smurfs are already drawing large audiences, while expectations are high for Avatar: Fire and Ash later this year. In 2026, sequels like Ice Age and Toy Story are expected to further boost attendance.
Cinema remains the core of Kinepolis business, accounting for 85 per cent of its revenue. Ticket sales combined with drinks and snacks generated 219.6 million euros in the first half, more than 7 per cent higher than last year.
'Premiumisation'
This growth is not only due to higher prices but also to what the company calls “premiumisation”: audiences increasingly opting for IMAX, luxury seating and other enhanced experiences. “We see that the willingness to pay for a better experience is growing,” Duquenne said.
Kinepolis is also preparing for more acquisitions. The group wants to resume its pre-pandemic expansion strategy but will proceed cautiously, focusing mainly on medium-sized, family-owned cinema groups in familiar markets and languages.
Kinepolis has 110 cinemas in seven European countries, Canada and the US.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
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