Estonian Films Gain Audience Share in Contracting Cinema Market
Estonian cinemas sold roughly 80,000 fewer tickets in 2025 compared to the previous year, but domestic films bucked the trend by attracting 10,000 more viewers, propelled by the success of 'Fränk' which became the second most popular film overall.
- —Estonian cinemas recorded a slight decrease in overall attendance in 2025 compared to the previous year, with 2,391,888 tickets sold for 448 films, an approximate 80,000 ticket drop from 2024.
- —Despite the overall decline, the market share for Estonian films saw an increase, with domestic productions attracting 334,471 viewers, a rise of 10,000 from 2024.
- —The Estonian film 'Fränk' was the most popular domestic release and the second most-watched film overall in 2025, drawing 112,104 viewers and ranking as the 12th most-watched Estonian film of the century.
- —American cinema continued to dominate the market with a 51.4% share of ticket sales, while other European films accounted for 25.5% and Estonian films held 14% of the audience.
- —The average cinema ticket price decreased slightly from 7.44 euros to 7.26 euros in 2025.
Recap
The 2025 Estonian box office figures point to a resilient domestic film industry capable of growing its audience even as the overall market slightly shrinks. While American films maintain their dominance, the success of 'Fränk' demonstrates that local productions can effectively compete for top spots, suggesting a strong appetite for Estonian storytelling. This trend, coupled with a minor decrease in ticket prices, highlights a dynamic market where local content is an increasingly vital component.