– The number of cinema-goers in the country rose by 8% in 2025, while German films enjoyed a strong resurgence, although younger audiences continued to visit cinemas less frequently
The German feature Manitou’s Canoe by Michael Herbig, which dominated the box office among audiences aged 20 and above
Germany’s cinema market showed renewed strength in 2025, with audience numbers increasing significantly despite a slight decline in viewing frequency. According to the latest FFA (Filmförderungsanstalt) study, Kinobesucher*innen 2025 (lit. “Cinema-goers 2025”), the number of people who attended a cinema at least once during the year grew by 8% to 23.4 million, representing 31% of the German population. At the same time, total box-office revenue climbed by 8% to €921 million, while admissions rose by 4% to 88.6 million tickets.
The latest figures indicate a continued recovery for the theatrical sector following the pandemic years, although audience behaviour is evolving. While more people returned to cinemas in 2025, the average cinema-goer purchased fewer tickets than in the previous year. The average attendance frequency fell by 4% to 3.8 tickets per visitor, suggesting that growth was primarily driven by an expansion of the audience base, rather than by increased consumption among regular cinemagoers.
Particularly notable was the performance of German films. The number of people who watched a German production in cinemas increased by 35% to 13.3 million. German films generated €232 million in box-office revenue and sold 24 million tickets, representing increases of 50% and 44%, respectively, compared to 2024. Domestic productions also gained market share at the expense of US films. While revenue generated by German titles surged, spending on US productions declined by 3% to €529 million, accounting for 48 million admissions. Meanwhile, European and other international productions posted modest growth, with revenue increasing by 4% to €160 million and admissions reaching 17 million tickets.
The report highlights a significant demographic shift in cinema attendance. The average age of German cinemagoers rose by 1.4 years to 40.6. Audience growth was concentrated among viewers aged 30 and above, with the strongest increases recorded among those aged 50-59 (+18%) and over 60 (+13%). In contrast, ticket purchases among younger audiences continued to decline, falling by 5% among 10- to 19-year-olds and by 7% among those aged 20-29.
The data reveal differing dynamics across age groups. Among teenagers aged 10-19, cinema penetration remained stable at a high level of 64%, but lower attendance frequency resulted in fewer tickets being sold. For viewers aged 20-29, declining audience reach was the primary factor behind reduced admissions, while attendance frequency remained stable. Conversely, among audiences aged 40 and older, a growing proportion of the population attended cinemas, offsetting a slight reduction in viewing frequency and leading to overall growth in ticket sales.
Ticket prices continued their upward trajectory in 2025. According to FFA data, the average cinema ticket price reached €10.05, up 4.2% year-on-year. YouGov Shopper Intelligence’s consumer panel reported an even higher average ticket price of €10.39. Total average spending per cinema visit, including concessions, increased slightly to €17.71, while average spending on food and beverages remained broadly stable at €11.75 per ticket, with total concession-related spending estimated at around €648 million in 2025. However, its share of total cinema expenditure declined slightly to 41%, down from 42% in 2024 and 43% in 2023.
Another standout trend was the renewed popularity of 3D releases. Revenue from 3D productions jumped by 34% to €99 million, significantly outpacing the growth of traditional 2D releases, which generated €821 million, up 5% compared to the previous year. Among the most popular titles of the year, Manitou’s Canoe by Michael Herbig dominated among audiences aged 20 and above (see the news), while A Minecraft Movie emerged as the leading title for teenagers and viewers in their forties.
The report suggests that Germany’s theatrical market is entering a new phase of recovery, characterised by broader audience participation, rather than increased frequency among existing cinemagoers. However, the continuing decline among younger adult audiences remains a challenge for exhibitors and distributors. At the same time, the strong performance of German productions indicates that local films are increasingly capable of attracting large domestic audiences, even as Hollywood titles remain the largest segment of the market.
The full study, Kinobesucher*innen 2025, offers a detailed analysis of cinema attendance patterns and audience behaviour in Germany, and is available (in German) on the FFA website.
