The overview examines Spain’s box office performance in 2022, a year that saw cinema widen its audience and international hits attract sizable crowds. In Spain, audiences returned in strong numbers, and a shift in genre popularity helped boost total revenue while keeping Spain as a vibrant market within Europe. The year also highlighted how blockbuster titles together with homegrown productions drew large audiences across Spain and other territories, with both foreign films and Spanish comedies delivering notable showings. The gross box office reached pronounced levels, signaling a rebound in cinematic activity after recent disruptions and illustrating a consumer move toward wide-release, high-profile films and animated features. A major foreign release led the domestic box office, emphasizing the appeal of event cinema, while a prominent Spanish title topped the year’s local charts, showing both international reach and domestic resonance. (CITATION)
Spanish cinema closed 2022 with a healthy market share, anchored by action, animation, and comedy as the year’s leading genres. Provisional year-end data from Comscore indicated a market share near one-fifth, with action capturing the largest slice, followed closely by animated and comedic titles. The total box office for 2022 approached 379 million euros, reflecting a 49% rise from 2021 as audiences returned to theaters and embraced high-energy premieres. (CITATION)
Despite the growth, the market still trails pre-pandemic levels. The 2022 results show roughly a 39% gap relative to the average revenue and attendance seen in the 2015–2019 period, signaling that recovery remains strong but not fully back to prior norms. The narrative of the year portrays a cautious yet steady resurgence, with moviegoers resuming cinema-going rituals even as peak periods and viewing patterns continue to evolve. (CITATION)
Several premieres stood out on the annual calendar. Early-year momentum extended into late December, and the year’s top-performing titles featured a major foreign release that dominated earnings. Immediately behind, a popular animated origin tale and a blockbuster sequel shared the spotlight, while a well-loved locally produced title ranked among the year’s most-watched films. The season’s blockbuster cadence reflected a blend of international franchises and domestic favorites that resonated with Spanish audiences, helping to sustain year-end momentum. (CITATION)
The peak week for attendance ran from Friday through the following Thursday in December, characterized by vigorous theatergoing activity and culminating in a record attendance day in the post-pandemic era. This peak underscored the resilience of the cinema ecosystem as families and moviegoers seized chances to enjoy new releases and premieres after extended restrictions. (CITATION)
Geographically, Madrid led with the highest attendance share, followed by other major urban centers where cinema remains a central leisure activity. Attendance distribution across cities highlighted the concentration of cinema-going in metropolitan areas, with regional hubs like Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville contributing significant shares. The data also showed participation in coastal and island regions, reflecting broad nationwide interest in film across diverse markets. (CITATION)
Regarding individual titles, the year’s list of most-watched films blended international blockbusters with beloved local favorites. The top ten included a high-profile foreign title that drew immense audience numbers, a second entry from a well-known animated franchise, a major science-fiction sequel, and a domestic release that resonated with local viewers. Additional entries spanned superhero, adventure, and action genres, signaling broad appeal across demographics and tastes. The collective performance of these titles exceeded the 10-million-euro mark in box office receipts, illustrating the strength of the year’s slate. (CITATION)
Most watched movies of the year
1 Avatar: Sense of Water
2 Minions: Gru’s Origin
3 Jurassic World: Domination
4 Daddy there’s only one 3
5 Doctor Strange
6 Unknown
7 Tadeo Jones 3
8 Thor: Love and Thunder
9 Batman
10 Maverick
Most watched Spanish movies
1 Daddy there’s only one 3
2 Tadeo Jones 3
3 Gods crooked lines
4 Full Train 2
5 Fourth passenger
6 Monsters
7 Alcarras
8 Model 77
9 I’m Gonna Have A Good Time
10 Daddy Life