According to our preliminary estimations, admissions to French films in foreign theaters in 2011 reached a high 66 million.
This figure is higher than the average annual results of recent years. Overall admissions to French films abroad (66 million) increased significantly over 2010, as did box office revenues (€405 million), showing a rise of 10% and 19%, respectively.
However, when viewed in perspective, this increase masks the disappointing results achieved by French-language productions and films majority financed by France. Accounting for 37% of total admissions, French-language films showed a marked decline, falling from 35 million admissions in 2010 to 25 million in 2011. Furthermore, four of the five best performing titles in foreign theaters in 2011 were shot in English: Unknown, The Three Musketeers, Colombiana, and Carnage.
At the same time, French majority films' market share fell sharply, from 85% to 52%. Results for 2011 were highly concentrated, with the three top performing films accounting for one half of total admissions.
Markets showing a rise in results for French films in 2011 include English-speaking countries (the USA, the UK, Australia, New Zealand), French-speaking countries (Belgium, Switzerland, Canada (Quebec), and Germany.
Among successful French-language films, Nothing to Declare, Of Gods and Men, Potiche, and Sarah's Key all topped the million admissions mark.
With highly encouraging results so far in 2012, ranging from The Artist in the United States to Untouchable in Germany, this year looks set to throw the spotlight back on French majority productions. Upcoming months will see the release of a number of titles with strong potential for international success: La Délicatesse, Declaration of War, The Lady, A Monster in Paris, Marsupilami, and the 4th episode of the Asterix series, Asterix & Obelix: God Save Britannia.
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Pre Bilan Box Office Monde 2011 (version FR)
