France’s theatrical market delivered a strong first half of 2026, grossing an estimated €680 million ($776 million) from nearly 92 million admissions, a 19.7% year-on increase, driven by a broad mix of French productions, Hollywood tentpoles and breakout genre films.
One of the strongest features of the recovery has been the balance between local and U.S. titles. According to CNC estimates, French films accounted for 42.5% of admissions during the first six months, while U.S. films represented 47.5%.
Rather than relying on only a handful of blockbusters, around 20 films crossed the 1 million-admission threshold, including eight French titles, according to Comscore France managing director Eric Marti.
“That means there have been many successes, rather than just three or four isolated hits,” Marti said, adding that “there is a very healthy balance between successful French films and successful American films.”
French family adventure “Marsupilami,” released by Pathé, led the annual box office at the end of June with more than 6.1 million admissions. The other French titles in the first-half top 10 were Studiocanal’s “Guru” and “Children of the Resistance,” Gaumont’s “Just an Illusion” and Pathé’s “De Gaulle: Resistance.” They were joined by five U.S. releases: Universal’s “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” and “Michael,” and Disney’s “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” “Toy Story 5” and “Hoppers.”
