European Box Office Regains Lost Ground
Despite soccer fever eating deep into June receipts, European box office in the first half of the year regained much of the ground lost in 2005, with France and Italy notably roaring back with double-digit growth. First-half receipts in 2005 were down 12%-19% in major territories, the only exception being the U.K., which was flat.
The single common factor, according to industry observers, was the strong lineup of films, with several Hollywood titles performing well across the region plus some strong local titles swelling numbers in individual territories.