French Box Office Booms in 2026: Record Admissions and Revenue Growth
The French box office has seen a significant increase in admissions in the first half of 2026, with a 19.7% jump to 90.1 million compared to the same period last year. This surge in attendance has resulted in approximately €666 million in box office revenue, with an average ticket price of €7.40. June alone saw around 13 million admissions, amounting to €96.5 million, a 14.6% increase from the previous year. The month was boosted by a strong lineup of local and Hollywood films, as well as a heatwave that drove audiences to air-conditioned cinemas and the annual FNCF event La Fête de Cinéma, offering tickets at a discounted price of €5.
The top-grossing film of the year so far is the French family-friendly movie Marsupilami, with over 6.1 million admissions. Other successful French titles include Guru, Children Of The Resistance, Just An Illusion, and De Gaulle: Resistance. US films like The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Michael, The Devil Wears Prada 2, Toy Story 5, and Hoppers have also performed well. French films have accounted for 42.5% of the market share in the first half of the year, while US films make up 47.5% of releases.
Toy Story 5 was a standout performer in June, selling over 2 million tickets since its mid-month release. De Gaulle: Resistance, despite a slow start, has gained momentum and is expected to continue drawing crowds throughout the summer. Animation films like Minions & Monsters and Jim Queen have also attracted audiences, along with horror films like Backrooms and Obsession.
The annual event La Fête du Cinema, held from June 28 to July 1, saw a significant increase in attendance, with over 3.7 million moviegoers participating. The July release schedule is filled with Hollywood franchises like Supergirl, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, live-action Moana, and The Odyssey. Local and arthouse titles to watch out for include Comedie Francaise, In Waves, Evil Dead Burn, La Chaleur, and The Dreamed Adventure. Overall, the French box office is experiencing a strong year with a diverse range of films attracting audiences of all ages and tastes.