Malta’s cinemas register stronger 2024 box office despite drop in admissions

Cinemas across Malta and Gozo attracted over 555,000 admissions in 2024, with international blockbusters dominating box office revenues while Maltese productions continued to play a marginal role in audience turnout, according to new data released by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

A total of 391 different film titles were shown over 30,838 screenings last year across six cinema establishments housing 23 screens and nearly 3,900 seats. Two of these establishments are located in Gozo.

While foreign productions, particularly those from the United States, continue to dominate the Maltese box office – accounting for over 547,000 admissions and €4.59 million in revenue – interest in local films is beginning to build momentum.

Maltese films, many of which fall into the short film category, drew 8,279 admissions in 2024, generating €66,143 in box office receipts from 174 screenings. This marks a significant leap from 2023, when Maltese films saw 4,884 admissions and brought in €20,457 from 143 screenings.

In percentage terms, local productions still made up just 1.5 per cent of all admissions, but the year-on-year growth in both viewership and revenue points to a rising appetite for homegrown content.

Hollywood still reigns supreme

American films dominated local screens, accounting for 92 per cent of total admissions. Animated features were particularly popular, with Disney and Pixar titles like Inside Out 2, Despicable Me 4, and Moana 2 leading the top 10 chart. These three films alone accounted for nearly 17 per cent of all admissions.

Other highly watched titles included Gladiator II, Deadpool and Wolverine, and Wonka. Fiction films overall were the most viewed genre, attracting 58.2 per cent of all cinema-goers, followed by animation at 37 per cent.

Operational overview

The average cinema-goer was more likely to attend a screening rated ‘12A’ or ‘15’, with these two classifications covering over two-thirds of all films shown. The majority of screenings lasted between 76 and 120 minutes, although live or encore performances such as ballets, operas, and theatre events had the longest average run time at 168 minutes.

In terms of amenities, all six cinemas offered online ticketing with print-at-home options, and most had some form of snack kiosk on site. Five of the six cinemas had at least some screens accessible to people with disabilities.

The sector employed an average of 105 people throughout the year, most of whom were engaged on a part-time basis.

As Malta continues to promote itself as a filming destination for international studios, attention may increasingly turn inward – toward nurturing local talent and ensuring that Maltese stories find their place not only on set but also on screen.