Riyadh Generates SAR 391 Million to Lead Saudi Box Office in 2024

Riyadh generated SAR 391.1 million in box office revenue in 2024, the highest total of any city in Saudi Arabia, according to new data from the Saudi Film Commission. The capital also recorded 7.4 million tickets sold, supported by continued cinema expansion and strong audience turnout.

Nationwide box office revenues reached SAR 845.6 million in 2024, with 17.5 million tickets sold and 504 films screened across the Kingdom. The Film Commission said cinema activity has grown steadily since theaters reopened in 2018, with more than 640 screens now operating across 20 cities.

The Commission reported that Saudi films accounted for 19 percent of box office revenue by mid-July 2024, with eight local titles contributing to the total. Industry programmes such as the Saudi Film Confex and the Filmathon initiative are supporting further skills development and local production.

Saudi Arabia now has 69 cinemas, 628 screens and 65,000 seats, following continued investment from operators including AMC, Vox and Muvi. A USD 100 million film fund introduced in 2024 aims to attract international productions and support local films such as ‘Norah’, which screened at the Cannes Film Festival.

The Film Commission said production infrastructure is expanding through facilities such as Neom Media Village, JAX Film Studios and new studios in Riyadh. It continues to support producers through location scouting, permitting and connections with trained Saudi talent.