There are 52 cinemas in Hong Kong as of July 10 this year, marking a 15 percent drop from 61 cinemas in 2020, according to the government.
Cinemas now serve 17 of the city’s 18 districts, with Wong Tai Sin the only one without a venue, but the situation will change shortly, as its sole cinema, Cine-Art House (Hollywood), is scheduled to reopen in mid-July under new management.
Authorities are closely monitoring the difficulties and needs of the cinema industry and are providing support to the film industry on various levels, Secretary for Culture Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui said in a written reply to lawmakers today.
Lack of blockbusters with strong appeal, high costs: Law
Law attributed the decline of local cinema to a mix of challenges over the past two years.
“[They include] the rise of streaming platforms, downturn in global film industry, lack of blockbusters with strong appeal, high cinema rental and operational costs, and changes in audience viewing and consumption habits.”
However, Law emphasized that cinema operations must remain market‑driven and there are no plans to impose cinema‑provision requirements in land‑lease conditions.
Cinema Day 2025 generates over HK$5.8 million
To bolster the film sector, the government launched Cinema Day and the 1st October Movie Fiesta. Both events drew record attendance and boosted box-office receipts, while increasing consumption at surrounding shops, the culture minister said.
Cinema Day 2025, which offered every movie ticket at a flat rate of just HK$30, produced a total revenue exceeding HK$5.8 million, with the government approving HK$9.6 million in funding for the initiative.
Additionally, through the Film Development Fund, the government aims to enhance “both quality and quantity of Hong Kong Films”, with a view to bringing confidence and impetus into the market.
At the same time, authorities pledged to continue funding for projects and activities that build local audiences, to cultivate the habit of cinema-going and support the steady development of Hong Kong films and cinema industries.
(Paris Wang)
