After challenging years, the German cinema industry is cautiously positive about 2025. HDF CINEMA and AllScreens speak of a "solid result" and point to a slight recovery in attendance figures and sales. At the same time, the associations are making a clear appeal to the German government: without reliable political framework conditions, a sustainable stabilisation of the cinema market cannot be achieved.
According to preliminary figures, the German cinema market in 2025 was slightly above the previous year's level. Both the number of cinema admissions and the total box office increased moderately. The recovery trend is thus continuing, even if the level of the pre-pandemic years is still not being reached.
From the perspective of HDF KINO and AllScreens, the result shows that cinemas were able to maintain their role as a cultural and economic pillar - despite persistently high costs, a tense consumer climate and a continued irregular film offer. High-audience titles in particular have once again shown the potential of cinema releases when content, marketing and exploitation strategy fit together.
At the same time, the associations warn that the current status should not be seen as an all-clear. Many companies are still under considerable economic pressure. Rising energy, personnel and financing costs as well as the need to invest in technology and infrastructure are putting a strain on small and medium-sized cinemas in particular.
Against this backdrop, HDF KINO and AllScreens are renewing their Appeal to the federal governmentto implement the announced reform of film funding swiftly and in a practical manner. Reliable investment incentives, greater consideration of the cinema exploitation chain and measures to ensure cultural diversity in the cinema market are necessary.
The associations emphasise that a strong cinema landscape is not only a prerequisite for economic success, but also for the visibility of German and European film. 2026 will therefore be a decisive year in which political decisions will play a key role in determining whether the positive trend can be sustained.