Canadians flocked to silver screen in 2002-2003: Statscan

Last Updated: Monday, June 28, 2004 | 4:45 PM ET

CBC Arts

Mega-sized theatres and the blockbuster movies they offer helped lure more Canadians out to the movies in 2002-2003, according to a study released Monday by Statistics Canada.

During 2002 and 2003, despite the closing of more than 200 screens across the country, total movie attendance hit a record high of 125.7 million. The number was up 5.4 per cent from 2000-2001, the last time the survey was conducted.

Statistics Canada attributed the rising attendance to success recorded by the country's older, larger cinemas – those with an operating revenue of $1 million or more – coupled with the success of more than 30 new theatres.

Canadians visited movie theatres more than 125 million times in 2002-2003.

Half of these new buildings were designated "large theatres" and typically located in urban centers. In general, larger theatres saw an increase of 11.9 per cent in attendance during the study period.

These types of giant houses have come to dominate the market. In 1991-1992, these types of theatres accounted for less than a third of all theatres in Canada but, after a construction boom of mega-sized movie houses, they now hold 43 per cent of the market.

Over the same period, these theatres have also become the audience favourite, the study said, with 89 per cent of the audience share now heading to mega-theatres for movie-watching.

Other study highlights:

• Though attendance has generally been rising since 1992, the rate of growth has decelerated in recent years.
• Attendance rose despite increases in admission prices.
• The industry earned $1.2 billion in operating revenue, with admission receipts accounting for 69 per cent of the total and refreshment bar sales primarily making up the remainder.
• The number of full-time and part-time staff declined by 8 per cent and 20.9 per cent, respectively.
• Drive-ins suffered their seventh consecutive decline in attendance, with only 1.5 million visits to a drive-in theatre in 2002-2003.
• Albertans are Canada's most avid movie-goers, hitting the theatre an average of five times a year. Each household spent an average of $132 on movies in 2002.
• Though it nearly doubled its attendance from 2000-2001, Newfoundland and Labrador still had the lowest numbers, with residents going to see an average of 2.5 movies a year. Each household spent an average of $67 on movies in 2002.
• Chain-operated theatres, which are mostly multi-screen facilities in major centres, earn considerably more than independently owned theatres. In 2002-2003, the average profile for a chain theatre was $191,000 compared to $26,000 for each independent, Statistics Canada said.