Cinema: Italian box office growth but slowdown in summer

With a strong first half of the year at the box office, Italian cinema arrives at the Venice Film Festival, which opens today. The year began with growing numbers, albeit accompanied by much controversy over the Tax Credit mechanism and a tense situation culminating in the resignation of Nicola Borrelli, director of the General Directorate of Cinema at the MIC.

The data, however, paints a picture of improvement. Leading the way is the film "Follemente," directed by Paolo Genovese and starring, among others, Pilar Fogliati and Edoardo Leo. With just under €18 million in box office takings, the film is the top Italian film at the box office (and second overall). In total, according to Cinetel data for the period January 1-August 25, 2025, Italian films grossed €68.5 million: 23.5% of the total. Only American films (€126.1 million in box office takings) lead the way, led by "Lilo & Stitch" with €22.4 million at the box office. Behind the Italian films are British films (€58.3 million), with "Jurassic World" earning €11 million.

Italian films have also seen box office revenue growth compared to the last two years. In the same period in 2024, they grossed $54.7 million, with "A World Apart" leading the way with $7.3 million (the film was released in March), while in 2023, that same figure hadn't risen above $47.5 million. Therefore, based on the numbers, Italian films have seen box office revenue growth of 25% in the last year alone.

All good? Not exactly, if you look at the data from another perspective. Overall, again considering the period between January 1st and August 25th, total box office receipts for Italian cinemas fell 1% compared to the previous year: €291.5 million versus €293.9 million in 2024. Admissions (40.8 million) also fell 2% compared to the figure of €41.5 million a year earlier. The main shortfall is around €40 million from US films. But there's also a summer hiatus for Italian films, which has had an impact, albeit on a summer season that is among the best in recent years: only €2.9 million in box office receipts for Italian films between June 1st and August 25th, versus €6.7 million in summer 2024 and €5.6 million in 2023.