2018 was marked as the best year for Lithuanian cinema market after the restoration of independence
2019-01-17The Lithuanian film centre have summarized the local box office results – in 2018 distribution reached a remarkable increase and hit all the records.
National cinema grew and hit market share by 28%. It’s a significant rise from 22% last year that was fixed as a record in 2017. Total number of admissions grew to 4.26m with two domestic titles topping the overall box office. Revenue from tickets in Lithuanian film theatres grew more than €2m in 2018.
According to cinema theatre attendance figures, the most popular film at Lithuania’s cinemas was Ashes in the Snow („Tarp pilkų debesų“, dir. Marius Markevičius) which was seen by 240 880 filmgoers. Close behind it stays Class Reunion: The Boys Are Back! („Klasės susitikimas: berniukai sugrįžta!“, dir. Kęstutis Gudavičius) and Bohemian Rhapsody (dir. Bryan Singer) received 3rd position in the top.
A documentary feature is, for the first time, among the most-viewed films in Lithuania, setting a record for independent Lithuania’s documentary filmmaking. The Ancient Woods („Sengirė“), a poetic nature documentary directed by Mindaugas Survila a co-production with Germany and Estonia that was also adapted for the blind attracted more than 62 000 spectators.
This popularity of national cinema was undoubtedly increased by the number of premieres – 21 films were premiered (11 in 2017). Overall, the productivity of national cinema also grew: last year, 54 new films of various lengths and genres were created, 28 of them were feature films (41 films were produced in 2017, of which 15 long features) most of them supported by the Lithuanian Film Centre.
A total of 351 films were screened in 2018. Market share was comprised of 58,7% US productions, 27,9 domestic productions, 11,8% of European films. Ticket price increased by €0.24 on average as compared to 2017.
TOP 10 in Lithuanian cinemas of 2018
| Film Title | Admissions | GBO, € |
| Ashes in the Snow („Tarp pilkų debesų“) | 240 880 | 1 295 396 |
| Class Reunion: The Boys Are Back! („Klasės susitikimas. Berniukai sugrįžta!“) | 182 583 | 1 005 157 |
| Bohemian Rhapsody | 161 095 | 950 986 |
| The Grinch | 131 098 | 648 378 |
| Hotel Transylvania 3 | 128 402 | 612 862 |
| Lithuanian Swingers („Lietuviški svingeriai“) | 111 943 | 645 911 |
| Women Lie Better: Robert („Moterys meluoja geriau: Robertėlis“) | 107 770 | 595 682 |
| Incredibles 2 | 103 448 | 499 648 |
| Star is Born | 96 024 | 553 346 |
| Fifty Shades Freed | 89 502 | 511 889 |
TOP 10 Lithuanian films in Lithuanian cinemas of 2018
| Film Title | Admissions | GBO, € |
| Ashes in the Snow („Tarp pilkų debesų“) | 240 880 | 1 295 396 |
| Class Reunion: The Boys Are Back! („Klasės susitikimas. Berniukai sugrįžta!“) | 182 583 | 1 005 157 |
| Lithuanian Swingers („Lietuviški svingeriai“) | 111 943 | 645 911 |
| Women Lie Better: Robert („Moterys meluoja geriau: Robertėlis“) | 107 770 | 595 682 |
| Owl Mountain („Pelėdų kalnas“) | 85 148 | 446 993 |
| Liars („Melagiai“) | 75 129 | 413 600 |
| Bring the Independence Back („Grąžinti nepriklausomybę“) | 75 456 | 380 649 |
| Between Us Girls („Tarp mūsų, mergaičių“) | 47 032 | 279 880 |
| The Ancient Woods („Sengirė“) | 62 441 | 258 164 |
| Hearts („Širdys“) | 47 840 | 241 705 |
