French cinema witnessed a resurgence in international acclaim in 2023, as indicated by key figures and trends across movie theaters, festivals, and SVOD platforms. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, French films continued to captivate audiences worldwide, contributing to the revitalization of the audiovisual sector. This report, made it by data from Unifrance and CNC (Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée), provides an in-depth analysis of French cinema’s performance on the global stage, highlighting key statistics and noteworthy achievements in 2023.
French films attracted 37.4 million spectators internationally in 2023, marking a significant increase of 38.5% compared to the previous year. This surge in attendance generated €234.0 million in box office revenues, reflecting a notable growth of 37.8%. The majority-French productions garnered 29.7 million admissions, while French-language productions secured 30.1 million admissions. Furthermore, 14.6 million admissions were recorded for arthouse productions, underscoring the diversity of French cinema.
Notable achievements in movie theaters include the screening of over 220 new films and 2,800 new releases across international theaters. Seven films exceeded 1 million admissions, with 61 films surpassing 100,000 admissions. Western Europe emerged as the leading geographic zone in terms of audience numbers, experiencing a 38.5% increase in admissions. Notably, Central and Eastern Europe witnessed a growth in entries in 2023 compared to previous years.
Regarding presence of French films continued to dominate major international festivals in 2023, comprising 23.1% of all titles selected across ten prestigious events. A total of 256 French films were selected at these festivals, representing a 7.6% increase from the previous year. France maintained its position as the country with the most films selected, screened, and awarded at these festivals for the third consecutive year. The ten festivals studied included prominent events such as Cannes, Berlinale, and Venice.
As for platforms, French content made significant strides on international SVOD platforms, with 4.6% of films and stand-alone productions available in July 2023 being French. More than 5,000 French films and stand-alone productions were present on international SVOD platforms, showcasing the global appeal of French cinema. Additionally, France ranked as the seventh most represented production country for series available on SVOD platforms worldwide.
French programs and series garnered international recognition in 2023, with standout titles across various genres. Profilage gained popularity on AXN channels in Poland and the Czech Republic, while Grizzy and the Lemmings found success in Europe as well as Australia, Brazil, and Canada. Hollywood’s Best Film Directors achieved top ratings, boosted by broadcasts on TCM in the UK. Notably, A Very Ordinary World won the International Emmy Award for Best Short-Form Series, further solidifying French cinema’s global reputation.
