Odeon, Britain’s largest cinema chain, has reported its biggest summer for cinema attendance since before the Covid pandemic, thanks to hits like The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The chain saw almost 10 million guests this summer, a 33% increase from last year and the best summer intake since 2019.
The Odyssey, Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s epic starring Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day featuring Tom Holland and Zendaya, both attracted over 1.3 million guests. Toy Story 5, starring Tom Hanks, also drew in over 1.3 million visitors.
Cinema Recovery
The cinema industry is still recovering from the pandemic, but this summer’s blockbusters have helped to boost attendance. The Odyssey is the first feature film to be shot using film cameras suited for Imax or 70mm screens, which may have contributed to its success.
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Odeon also reported a record proportion of visits to larger screens, which suggests that audiences are eager for a premium cinematic experience. According to the chain, this summer has demonstrated the enduring appeal of cinema, despite a packed summer of sport and numerous heatwaves.
Box Office Performance
While Odeon’s summer performance is encouraging, the British Film Institute (BFI) noted that takings at the UK box office in 2024 were still 21% below 2019 levels. This suggests that the industry still has some way to go in terms of full recovery.
Suzie Welch, Odeon’s managing director for the UK and Ireland, said: ‘This summer has demonstrated once again cinema’s enduring appeal. Despite a packed summer of sport and numerous heatwaves, almost 10 million film fans came through our doors to enjoy an incredible variety of amazing films.’
Looking ahead, Odeon is excited to carry this momentum into the autumn, with a range of upcoming releases, including Avengers: Doomsday, Dune: Part Three, Forgotten Island, and Focker-in-Law. The chain is likely to continue to benefit from the popularity of big-budget films and the unique experience offered by its larger screens.
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It’s likely that the success of The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day will encourage other filmmakers to produce more blockbuster-style movies, which could help to further boost cinema attendance in the coming months. As the industry continues to recover, it will be interesting to see how Odeon and other cinema chains adapt to changing audience habits and preferences.
Future Releases
Odeon’s upcoming releases are likely to attract a large audience, given the success of recent blockbusters. The chain’s ability to offer a premium cinematic experience, combined with the popularity of its upcoming releases, should help to maintain momentum in the autumn season.
For now, Odeon is enjoying its best summer for cinema attendance since before the pandemic, and the chain is optimistic about its prospects for the rest of the year. With a range of exciting releases on the horizon, it’s likely that Odeon will continue to attract large audiences and help to drive the recovery of the cinema industry.
