Record cinema figures for Cineworld chain

As it opened another 18 sites across Europe and Israel, giving it 20,11 screens, Cineworld saw 93.6 million people flock through its doors in 2015 – a rise of 12.9% – boosted by a strong line-up of movies including blockbusters Jurassic World, Spectre and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

And it aims to open another 14 sites in the coming year.

Looking ahead, Cineworld said 2016 promised " strong family film slate", including Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them – a kind of US-based prequel set in the world of Harry Potter – along with The BFG, Star Wars: Rogue One, Captain America: Civil War, X-Men: Apocalypse, Batman v Superman, Finding Dory, The Secret Life of Pets, Ice Age 5, Angry Birds, Warcraft and Alice Through The Looking Glass.

Group revenue rose 13.9% last year to £705.8 million, while adjusted pre-tax profits rocketed by 37% to £102.8 million.,

Chief executive Mooky Greidinger said: "We are pleased to announce 2015 was another record year for the Cineworld Group and its shareholders.

"Revenues continued to grow as more than 93 million customers came through our doors and enjoyed the movies we showed.

"Our strong financial performance was driven by improved efficiencies throughout the business and the cost savings achieved following the successful integration of the two groups."

Cineworld merged with Cinema City International (CCI), with 100 multiplexes in eastern Europe and Israel, in a £500 million deal in 2014.

2015 also saw Cineworld introduce its VIP experience to the UK, at its multiplex in Sheffield, which offers access to a private lounge with unlimited buffet food and soft drinks before customers watch their movie in special auditoriums with reclining seats. Cineworld says it will roll it out to other cinemas "where there is opportunity in the market".