Number of cinema sites in Russia 2009-2023

Russia had almost 2.2 thousand cinemas as of January 1, 2023, which was the highest figure over the observed period. The number of cinema sites nationwide increased gradually between 2009 and 2020.

Russian cinema chains

The history of cinema chains in Russia dates to the 1990s. Kinomax, KARO, Imperiya Kino, and Formula Kino were among the pioneers in this segment. At the turn of the 21st century, the widespread opening of shopping malls and entertainment centers across the country made it possible to open cinemas in them, generating an additional stream of visitors. Among modern chains, Kino Okko, the merger of Cinema Park and Formula Kino, had the largest number of cinema screens in Russia.

Russians’ spending behavior on cinema

Nearly 30 percent of respondents admitted saving money on cinema and theater due to lack of financial resources in 2019, even though movie tickets in Russia were cheaper than in many other countries in Europe. The cities Tolyatti, Kostroma, and Saint Petersburg recorded the highest household expenditure on cinema and hotels, restaurants, and cafes in the country. When asked about their spending plans in the view of the crisis caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 43 percent of Russians planned to reduce their spending on movie theater visits between April and October 2020.