In the first half of 2023, Russian cinema venues generated more than 7 billion rubles in revenue, surpassing the total for 2022. This figure comes from a report by Kommersant, citing data from the Delovaya Rus group. The rebound in earnings reflects a sharp return of moviegoers and the strong performance of recent releases, especially the family-oriented feature Cheburashka, which helped attract large crowds and revive attendance across screens.
Izkander Aminov, vice president of Delovaya Rus, notes that the revenue lift was driven by the Cheburashka release and the audience’s pent-up demand after pandemic-era restrictions. Cinema bars—areas in theaters that offer beverages and light snacks alongside screenings—remain a critical profit center within the cinema complex, contributing roughly a third of total box office revenue. This segment has proven resilient, balancing ticket sales with on-site purchases to support overall profitability.
Delovaya Rus’ market share in this sector is estimated at about 60–65%, reflecting a strong presence in the country’s cinema economy. For context, cinema bar revenues declined sharply in 2021, dropping around 60% to roughly 9 billion rubles amid COVID-19 disruptions. Industry participants now anticipate a robust rebound, with expectations of a 30–35% increase in the key indicators by the end of 2023 as consumer confidence and venue occupancy continue to recover.
Separately, data from early September show that the number of fitness clubs in major Russian cities with populations over one million grew by about 25% over the preceding four years, signaling broader consumer spending and leisure activity resuming momentum in large urban centers.
In related entertainment sectors, travel and recreation experiences that combine social interaction with leisure have also seen renewed interest among Russians, signaling a rebound in consumer appetite for diversified entertainment experiences across the cultural economy. This broader revival mirrors shifts seen in other consumer segments where experiential spending has begun to outpace pre-pandemic levels in some markets.