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A new report shows box office takings are still below pre-pandemic levels, despite the UK producing more films and television shows. But, the BFI’s chief executive tells…
UK box office revenue totalled £979m in 2024, with musical juggernaut Wicked taking the lion’s share with £59.6m in ticket sales.
The total was only marginally down on 2023, but the BFI’s report shows UK box office takings are still 22% below 2019, due in part to the Hollywood strikes and the ramifications of the Covid pandemic.
BFI chief executive Ben Roberts said the UK screen industries are not in crisis, but are beginning to stabilise after a tumultuous five years.
The report also highlighted the increase in production across the UK, with spending on British film and TV projects rising to a record £5.6bn.
Mr Roberts said this “demonstrates the UK’s strength as a world-leading destination for filmmaking”, showing that “Britain’s film and TV industries continue to be a powerhouse for creativity, investment and jobs”.
However, he acknowledged the data wasn’t entirely positive, saying.
“We know these figures don’t tell the whole story,” he said. “The 22% drop in domestic high-end TV spend is a reminder that many in the industry are feeling the pressure.”
Speaking to the BBC following the report’s publication, Mr Roberts, who has been in charge of the BFI since 2020, said he is “incredibly confident” in the industry’s continued recovery despite the mixed figures.
He pointed to the huge appetite for independent British and international films such as The Brutalist as evidence for audiences returning to cinemas for all types of films, not just blockbusters.
“The job right now I really feel is making sure that our offer is catering to everyone’s tastes”, he said.