12/11/2003

Between January to August 2003, UK cinema attendances were down nearly 10% on the same period last year, and only one UK film ( Johnny English [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) managed to make it in the box office Top 20, totally dominated by US releases. This is according to new research published by the UK Film Council Research and Statistics Unit (RSU).

In fact the months of January and August 2003 were the only two months where monthly admissions went up, respectively by 8.7% and 7.7%, whereas there were sharp falls of over 20% registered notably in February, March and June. The Iraq War which started on 20 March may have resulted in this year’s downturn in admissions, but there were also weaker titles on release when compared with Ocean’s Eleven, Monsters’ Inc or Gosford Park released during the first half of 2002.

Johnny English was by far the most successful UK production during that period with £19,5m gross, taking the number 5 position in the top 20, behind Hollywood films. The top five other UK films or UK co-productions were Tomb Raider 2 (£5,2m), The Hours (£4,6m), The Pianist [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (£2,9m) and S Club Seeing Double (£2,3m).

Of the 20 most successful UK films released between January and August, 85% were made with US or European partners. Germany collaborated on the most titles (7), followed by France (5), Ireland and the Netherlands (3 films each).
The last quarter of 2003 will certainly raise the market share of local titles as Calendar Girls has already grossed over £18.7m and Richard Curtis’ Love Actually [+see also:
trailer
film profile] is set to conquer UK audiences when it is released on November 14, 2003.