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Cinema attendance in Türkiye has fallen to its lowest level in 17 years, excluding the pandemic period, according to newly released figures from Box Office Türkiye.
Cinemas across the country welcomed 26.82 million viewers during 2025 so far, a figure expected to exceed 27 million by year’s end. Even with that increase, attendance remains well below pre-pandemic levels and marks the weakest year since 2008.
Compared to last year, the number of moviegoers dropped by around 15 percent. In contrast, total box office revenue reached ₺4.9 billion (over $114 million), driven largely by rising ticket prices rather than higher demand.
The data shows that while fewer people are going to the cinema, those who do are paying significantly more.
The most watched film of 2025 was "Yan Yana," a French adaptation that sold 2.45 million tickets.
It was followed by the domestic animated film "Rafadan Tayfa Kapadokya" with 2.3 million viewers, and "A Minecraft Movie" with just over 1 million.
Seven of the ten most watched films of the year were Turkish productions, suggesting that audience preference for local cinema has not changed.
At the lower end of the box office, dozens of films failed to attract even 1,000 viewers nationwide.
Some titles sold fewer than 100 tickets throughout their theatrical run, highlighting how limited cinema access has become outside major releases.
The average cinema ticket price in Türkiye reached ₺207 in 2025 while standard tickets typically range between ₺170 and ₺200, depending on the city and cinema chain.
Premium formats cost far more; IMAX tickets reach up to ₺380, while luxury Sweet Box and Gold Class seats range between ₺700 and ₺800.
For families, the issue is not a single ticket but the total cost of a cinema visit. A household with two adults and three children can face ticket expenses exceeding ₺1,000 before accounting for snacks, transportation, or parking.
Concession prices have also become a deterrent. Popcorn and drinks often cost nearly as much as an additional ticket, turning cinema visits into a luxury rather than a routine outing.
In mid-2025, authorities introduced a temporary weekday price cap of around ₺120 at participating cinemas.
The measure aims to boost attendance during off peak hours, but it does not apply to weekends, when families are more likely to go.
The attendance slump comes as Türkiye prepares to implement a 27 percent increase in the minimum wage for 2026.
The net monthly minimum wage will rise to ₺28,075 starting January 1, up from ₺22,104.
The increase directly affects between 7 million and 9.5 million workers and serves as a benchmark for wages across the economy. Still, high living costs continue to limit disposable income for many households.
Rent, food, transportation, and utilities remain the main spending priorities. Cultural activities such as cinema outings often fall last on the list.
Industry discussions frequently cite streaming platforms as the main reason for declining cinema attendance.
However, streaming services offer fixed monthly fees that are often lower than the cost of a single cinema ticket for one person, let alone an entire family.
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