17-01-2019

2018 was marked as the best year for Lithuanian cinema market after the restoration of independence

    The Lithuanian film centre have summarized the local box office results - in 2018 distribution reached a remarkable increase and hit all the records.

    National cinema grew and hit market share by 28%. It’s a significant rise from 22% last year that was fixed as a record in 2017. Total number of admissions grew to 4.26m with two domestic titles topping the overall box office. Revenue from tickets in Lithuanian film theatres grew more than €2m in 2018.

    According to cinema theatre attendance figures, the most popular film at Lithuania’s cinemas was Ashes in the Snow („Tarp pilkų debesų“, dir. Marius Markevičius) which was seen by 240 880 filmgoers. Close behind it stays Class Reunion: The Boys Are Back! („Klasės susitikimas: berniukai sugrįžta!“, dir. Kęstutis Gudavičius) and Bohemian Rhapsody (dir. Bryan Singer) received 3rd position in the top.

    A documentary feature is, for the first time, among the most-viewed films in Lithuania, setting a record for independent Lithuania’s documentary filmmaking. The Ancient Woods („Sengirė“), a poetic nature documentary directed by Mindaugas Survila a co-production with Germany and Estonia that was also adapted for the blind attracted more than 62 000 spectators.

    This popularity of national cinema was undoubtedly increased by the number of premieres – 21 films were premiered (11 in 2017). Overall, the productivity of national cinema also grew: last year, 54 new films of various lengths and genres were created, 28 of them were feature films (41 films were produced in 2017, of which 15 long features) most of them supported by the Lithuanian Film Centre.

    A total of 351 films were screened in 2018. Market share was comprised of 58,7% US productions, 27,9 domestic productions, 11,8% of European films. Ticket price increased by €0.24 on average as compared to 2017.

    TOP 10 in Lithuanian cinemas of 2018

    Film Title

    Admissions

    GBO, €

    Ashes in the Snow („Tarp pilkų debesų“)

    240 880

    1 295 396

    Class Reunion: The Boys Are Back! („Klasės susitikimas. Berniukai sugrįžta!“)

    182 583

    1 005 157

    Bohemian Rhapsody

    161 095

    950 986

    The Grinch

    131 098

    648 378

    Hotel Transylvania 3

    128 402

    612 862

    Lithuanian Swingers („Lietuviški svingeriai“)

    111 943

    645 911

    Women Lie Better: Robert („Moterys meluoja geriau: Robertėlis“)

    107 770

    595 682

    Incredibles 2

    103 448

    499 648

    Star is Born

    96 024

    553 346

    Fifty Shades Freed

    89 502

    511 889

    TOP 10 Lithuanian films in Lithuanian cinemas of 2018

    Film Title

    Admissions

    GBO, €

    Ashes in the Snow („Tarp pilkų debesų“)

    240 880

    1 295 396

    Class Reunion: The Boys Are Back! („Klasės susitikimas. Berniukai sugrįžta!“)

    182 583

    1 005 157

    Lithuanian Swingers („Lietuviški svingeriai“)

    111 943

    645 911

    Women Lie Better: Robert („Moterys meluoja geriau: Robertėlis“)

    107 770

    595 682

    Owl Mountain („Pelėdų kalnas“)

    85 148

    446 993

    Liars („Melagiai“)

    75 129

    413 600

    Bring the Independence Back („Grąžinti nepriklausomybę“)

    75 456

    380 649

    Between Us Girls („Tarp mūsų, mergaičių“)

    47 032

    279 880

    The Ancient Woods („Sengirė“)

    62 441

    258 164

    Hearts („Širdys“)

    47 840

    241 705