North America’s cinema sector in 2025 showed modest recovery, with ticket sales reaching around $8.9 billion for the year despite lingering challenges in attracting audiences back to theaters.
The numbers were up 2% from 2024 levels, according to industry data.
While still well below pre-pandemic highs, there were encouraging signs for exhibitors.
Cinemas reported an 8% increase in “habitual” moviegoers, defined as patrons attending the theater at least six times a year, suggesting that audiences are gradually returning to the big screen. Notably, three of the year’s top 20 films were original properties, highlighting a modest shift away from sequels and established franchises.
Despite these positive trends, investors remained cautious. AMC Entertainment Holdings (NYSE:AMC) shares fell 2.9%, IMAX Corp (NYSE:IMAX) dropped 2.3%, and Cinemark Holdings (NYSE:CNK) edged down 1.3% as the market weighed the industry’s continued struggle to regain its pre-pandemic momentum.
For now, the numbers suggest the North American cinema sector is inching back toward health, though full recovery to pre-2020 levels remains a work in progress.