More cinemas, but fewer seats: this is the latest Cinema Theater Census (AIMC)

The AIMC, la Asociación para la Investigación de Medios de Comunicación, ha publicado las conclusiones de su Censo de Salas de Cine, en el que se ofrece una fotografía de la exhibición cinematográfica española en forma de número de salas, butacas y cines.

El estudio de la AIMC referencia la situación en España a 1 de abril de 2024 tomando datos de los exclusivistas y distribuidores publicitarios del medio cine 014 DS y Moviedis (Movierecord and Discine integration). The data obtained underline a stabilization of the trend in Spain in the vast majority of parameters, although a notable variability is highlighted in the seats area.

According to the AIMC Census, the number of film exhibition venues in Spain has increased in one unit compared to the previous year, going from 751 a 752 (+0.1%), maintaining the level that was reached in 2023 and that had not been seen since 2021. On the other hand, the number of rooms/screens is at 3.560, which represents a decrease of 31 screens (-0.9%) compared to the previous census, with 68 new ones and 99 new ones. The figure is similar to that of the last years and it can be seen how since 2019 its number has stabilized, with small ups and downs, around 3,600 units. Regarding the number of seats, the figure is set at 738.053, which means a decrease of 12,698 (-1.7%) compared to the 2023 study. In this area the accumulated decrease is somewhat greater, with the disappearance of 60,199 seats (-7.5%) in the last nine years.

This decrease can be explained in the premium trend: The theaters now have fewer seats, although on the other hand, the seats tend to be larger and more comfortable. In addition, there is a tendency towards cinemas with fewer screens. In this way, the average number of seats per room/screen is 208 units (two less than in 2023 and seventeen less than in 2014) and each location has on average 4,7 salas (one tenth less than in 2023 and six less than in 2024). In this way, the average number of total seats per movie theater has also decreased: from 1,203 seats in 2014 to 988 currently.

The study collects other information of interest: two out of every three Spaniards (63.6%, -0.2 points in a year) reside in a town that has at least one cinema; Andalusia, with 625 theaters, stands out as the Autonomous Community with the highest number of theaters, while La Rioja is the community with the highest density of theaters per million inhabitants (115), and Kinepolis holds the record for the multiplex with the highest number of theaters: the 28 of the Full Splau complex in Cornellá de Llobregat.