Portuguese movie theaters generated €37.2 million in gross box office revenue during the first half of 2026, marking a 5.8% increase compared to the same period in 2025. According to data released today by the Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual (ICA), the revenue growth occurred despite a 2% decline in ticket sales, with total attendance dropping by 108,000 to 5.4 million viewers.
The contrast between rising revenues and falling attendance comes amid a shrinking exhibition infrastructure. In June 2026, Portugal had 498 active theater screens, 42 fewer than in June 2025. This contraction is the direct result of several theater closures by market leader NOS Lusomundo Cinemas and the ongoing insolvency proceedings of exhibitor Cineplace.
Despite closing 22 screens over the past year—bringing its total down to 196—NOS Lusomundo Cinemas maintains its dominant position in the Portuguese market:
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NOS Lusomundo Cinemas: Holds a 71.4% share of gross box office revenue and a 68.2% share of total viewers.
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UCI Cinemas: Follows as the second-largest operator, commanding 14.2% of market revenue and 14% of theater attendance.
The highest-grossing film in Portugal during the first half of 2026 was A Criada (The Housemaid), directed by Paul Feig. The movie pulled in 549,525 admissions, generating approximately €3.6 million in revenue.
In the domestic segment, 31 Portuguese-produced films premiered in theaters during the six-month period, combining for 80,233 admissions and €385,664 in revenue. This represents a modest market share of 1.5% in attendance and 1% in box office earnings. The most-watched domestic title was Ivo M. Ferreira’s Projeto Global, which drew 9,125 viewers.
