New Report: Global Theatrical and Home Entertainment Market Reached $96.8 Billion in 2018

Domestic and Global Box Office Both Climbed to Record Highs

Global Home Entertainment Increased by 16 Percent to $55.7 Billion

Three Quarters of the U.S./Canada Population Went to the Cinema at Least Once Last Year;
Per Capita Attendance was Highest among Younger, Diverse Populations

WASHINGTON – The global entertainment market reached $96.8 billion in 2018 – a nine percent increase over 2017 – according to new, combined theatrical and home entertainment data released today by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). The 2018 global box office grew to $41.1 billion[i], while global home entertainment increased by 16 percent over 2017 levels to reach $55.7 billion.

The 2018 THEME Report, a comprehensive analysis and survey of the theatrical and home entertainment market environment (THEME), provides in-depth analysis of the state of the industry and an audience demographic survey. This year’s expanded study includes new reporting on global 3D box office estimates, data on the volume of original series production for television and online video services, and detailed demographic data for home entertainment viewing in the United States.

“In today’s dynamic marketplace, stories come to life for audiences in theaters, at home, and on the go,” said Charles Rivkin, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). “Our companies continue to deliver content where, when, and how audiences want it – and the numbers released today speak volumes.”

The U.S./Canada box office increased by seven percent to $11.9 billion, a record high. Three-quarters (75%) of the U.S./Canada population, or 263 million people, went to the cinema at least once in 2018. The gender composition of the cinema audience was 51 percent female and 49 percent male.

On the global level, seven markets outside the U.S./Canada saw box office totals of $1 billion or more. The Asia Pacific box office totaled $16.7 billion, an increase of five percent compared to 2017. China was the primary growth driver, with a 12 percent increase in box office.

Other theatrical findings include:

• The total number of theatrical screens worldwide increased by seven percent, reaching nearly 190,000.
• The typical moviegoer in the U.S./Canada bought 5.0 tickets per year in 2018, up from 4.7 tickets in 2017.
• Per capita attendance was highest among the 12-17 and 18-24-year-old age groups (5.1), and among Latino (4.7) and Asian (4.5) audiences, with both ethnic groups increasing over 2017 levels.

Global home entertainment consumer spending increased by 16 percent over 2017 levels to reach $55.7 billion. The growth was driven by digital home entertainment, with U.S. digital spending increasing by 24 percent and international digital spending increasing by 34 percent. Since 2014, digital spending has increased 170 percent globally.

Other home entertainment findings include:

• Globally, the number of subscriptions to online video services reached 613 million, an increase of 27 percent in just one year. Subscriptions to online video services surpassed cable subscriptions for the first time in 2018.
• In 2018, overall spending on home entertainment in the U.S. increased to $23.3 billion, up 12 percent over 2017.
• Americans now spend 52 percent of their media time on a digital platform.

For the complete version of the report, please click here.

[i] Box office data is in U.S. dollars for analytical and comparative purposes. Local currency box office trends may differ due to exchange rate fluctuations.

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About the MPAA

The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) serves as the voice and advocate of the American motion picture, home video and television industries. Its members include: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; Netflix, Inc.; Paramount Pictures Corporation; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation; Universal City Studios LLC; and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

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For more information, contact:

MPAA Washington, D.C.
Chris Ortman
(202) 293-1966
Chris_Ortman@motionpictures.org