Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning cinema industry has seen rapid growth, accumulating SR3.7 billion ($986 million) in revenue in just six years since opening its first cinemas. According to the General Authority for Media Regulation, over 61 million tickets have been sold from April 2018 to March of the current year, with 1,971 films screened, including 45 local productions. This reflects the country’s swift adoption of cultural activities and aligns with its Vision 2030 goals to diversify the economy and improve quality of life.
The expansion of cinema infrastructure is also notable, with Saudi Arabia now home to 66 movie theaters, approximately 618 screens, and 63,373 seats across 22 cities, operated by around six companies. This growth highlights the sector’s contribution to the country’s entertainment industry and Vision 2030’s target of supporting the sector, aiming for over $23 billion or 3% of gross domestic product and creating more than 100,000 jobs by 2030.