Increase in movie ticket prices and changes in the number of visitors
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The average price of a movie ticket in Latvian cinemas has increased by almost 40% over the last ten years, from 4.85 euros in 2016 to 6.73 euros last year, according to data collected by the National Cinema Center (NKC). As the portal NRA informs, despite the increase in prices, the number of visitors to cinemas continues to increase. More than 2.16 million tickets were sold last year, which is almost 70,000 more than the year before. This growth is despite global trends and challenges caused by the pandemic that have affected the entertainment industry worldwide.
Over the past ten years, the number of visits to cinemas in Latvia has experienced both ups and downs, but the overall trend shows stability and even growth compared to the pre-pandemic period. In 2023, more than two million movie tickets were sold in Latvian cinemas, reaching 75% of the number of visitors in 2019. This is significantly better than the European average, where the number of visitors has decreased in some countries.
The data of the National Cinema Center for the year 2025 reveal several significant achievements in the field of Latvian cinema. Four Latvian films entered the top ten of the most popular films, which is a historically high figure. The Latvian cinema market share has exceeded 24%, which is the first such success. In total, in 2025, more than 2.16 million tickets were bought in Latvian cinemas, while more than 523,000 viewers visited Latvian films. Interest in Latvian cinema can also be observed in foreign neighboring countries – the film “Stream” has taken the third place in the list of the most visited films in Estonian cinemas.
Gint Zilbalož’s animated film “Straume” has been recognized as the most popular film in Latvian cinemas of the past year, surpassing the traditionally popular US family animations for the first time. This film has become the most watched Latvian film during the restored independence. In addition to “Straume”, the films “Tīklā. The Birth of the Legend of TTT”, “Dark Blue Gospel” and “Vecāku sapulce” are among the ten most popular films, proving the diversity of Latvian films and their ability to appeal to a wide audience.
The film industry and its challenges
Despite the positive trends, the financing of the Latvian film industry still lags behind that of Lithuania and Estonia, and is one of the lowest in Europe, which raises concerns about the sustainability of cinema. Dita Rietuma, head of NKC, states that the success of Latvian films proves the value of the work of industry professionals, but additional funding is necessary to ensure the expansion of the thematic and artistic spectrum of films and the ability to reach different audience segments. These achievements confirm that additional funding provides targeted results and is vital for the development of Latvian cinema.
Films produced in the USA still dominate Latvian cinemas, accounting for more than 61% of the market share, although this share has decreased. In Latvia in 2025, 33 cinema screening locations with 81 screens were operating, ensuring the availability of films both in Riga and in the regions. Data on the support of the “School bag” project, with the help of which almost 23,000 students watched Latvian films, are also included.
Trends and statistics
According to the data of the European Audiovisual Observatory, the increase in visits to cinemas in Latvia can be observed in many places in Europe, but unlike some other countries, this trend is stable and positive in Latvia. Audiences are increasingly appreciating the benefits of movie theaters, as interest in online platforms opened during the pandemic has waned. NKC has been collecting statistical data on cinemas, films and state support for the cinema industry since 2010, ensuring comparability over time. These statistics are available on the Official Statistics Portal.
In 2024, almost three times more viewers visited Latvian films in cinemas than in 2023, and the popularity of national cinema has returned almost to the level of the success of the Centennial program. The additional funding granted to the film industry allows expanding the thematic and artistic spectrum of films, reaching different audience segments and generally promoting the development of Latvian cinema.
date:2026-02-10 19:25:00