Between July and September 2022, more than 430 French productions were shown across the five continents. Among them, 24 were animated films, which represents 5.5% of overall titles. Over the same period, they generated 1.12 million admissions, which corresponds to 19.5% of the audience brought together by French cinema abroad.
Once again, French animation made a name for itself on international markets: during the third quarter of 2022, one out of five foreign viewers of French cinema abroad saw an animated film! Among the 10 productions that attracted more than 100,000 moviegoers, four were animated. More generally, family films still attracted the most spectators outside our borders. And Fireheart (a minority-French production) and Pil were respectively the second and third most seen French titles on the big screen of the quarter outside France.
The top five French animation films by international admissions in July, August, and September 2022
| Rank | Title | Territories | Admissions (07/01/2002 to 09/30/2022) | Total Admissions |
| 1 | Fireheart* | 20 | 415,266 | 2,002,853 |
| 2 | Pil | 18 | 268,913 | 1,050,719 |
| 3 | Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness* | 15 | 160,690 | 1,457,920 |
| 4 | Around the World in 80 Days | 13 | 111,548 | 1,352,274 |
| 5 | Terra Willy | 1 | 53,742 | 989,547 |
* Production with minority-French financing.
Although Fireheart (a minority-French film) was once again at the top of the list of the most popular French animated films seen on the big screen outside France, this was mainly due to its successful Polish career. Launched on 260 screens, they were increased to 290 the following week, for a total of 247,000 admissions in 10 weeks (Kino Swiat, €0.9 million in box office revenues). This Eastern European country became the third foreign market where the film tallied the most spectators, after Russia (Central Partnership, 397,000 admissions and €0.8 million) and Mexico (Corazón Films, 342,000 and €0.9 million). In addition, Fireheart crossed the symbolic threshold of 2 million international admissions (€7.1 million in box office revenues) eight months after its first release outside France! The last French animation production to have achieved this feat was Bigfoot Family (minority-French production, 2.68 million spectators and €13.3 million in box office revenues).
Pil, the second film in the ranking, passed the 1 million spectator mark internationally (€4.9 million in box office revenues)! The film was a sensation in the Czech Republic and Slovakia: it remained in the local top 10 for two months and attracted 75,000 Czechs and 58,000 Slovaks (Bontonfilm, €0.8 million overall). This is the biggest French success of the last five years in these two markets. During the quarter under review, Pil also attracted 51,000 Peruvians (Andes Films, €0.1 million) and 40,000 South Koreans (Challan, €0.3 million).
A mention goes to Terra Willy. The Russian film industry has been affected by the war between Russia and Ukraine, including the supply of new films. Therefore, many titles from the past are once again parading on the big screen, among them French productions, including Terra Willy. Released for the first time in theaters in Russia in May 2019, it attracted 53,000 additional viewers who made its tally soar to 210,000 admissions and €0.6 million in box office revenues in this country.
Upcoming theatrical releases*
- Ernest and Célestine: A Journey in Charabia, sold by StudioCanal, will release soon in Belgium (Cinéart), Italy (I Wonder Pictures), The Netherlands (Cinéart), Portugal (Cine Mundo), and Quebec (Métropole Film Distribution).
- Little Nicholas: Happy As Can Be, sold by Charades, will release soon in Germany (Leonine), Hungary (Mozinet), and Quebec (Maison 4:3).
- The Black Pharaoh, the Savage and the Princess, sold by Playtime, will release soon in Quebec (Axia Films) and Slovenia (Fivia).
- Around the World in 80 Days, sold by StudioCanal, will release soon in Turkey (CJ Entertainment).
* The above releases are subject to cancellation or postponement.
For more information about the results and international releases of French films, please contact Andrea Sponchiado (andrea.sponchiado@unifrance.org).
