All of those included on this year’s Giants of Exhibition: Europe list will be recognised at a ceremony taking place on Tuesday 23 June in Barcelona during CineEurope, the biggest and longest-running convention dedicated to cinema operators in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
UNIC has renewed its partnership in 2026 with Boxoffice Pro for this fifth iteration of Giants of Exhibition: Europe, each company’s ranking being determined by its total screen count in Europe as of 31 December 2025.
In the lead in this year’s ranking is confirmed ODEON Cinemas Group, the UK-based European subsidiary of AMC Theatres, with over 2,300 screens across the UK and Ireland, Finland, Germany, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.
The top five is rounded out by Cineworld Group (UK), Vue International (UK), Pathé Cinémas (France) and CGR Cinémas (France).
Each of the top four circuits have a multi-national European presence of over 1,200 screens across the region, whereas CGR Cinémas is the only company in the top positions currently operating in only one territory, with over 700 screens.
For the second consecutive year, France’s Cineville becomes the winner of the “Fastest Moving Giant Award”, with a 18.4% increase in its screen number year on year, marking a staggering expansion from 129 screens in 2023 to 158 in 2024 and 187 in 2025. The “Breakthrough Giant Award” - given to circuits that broke into the Top 50 this year for the first time – goes to The Arc Cinema (Ireland, UK) which cruised into the 45th position after years of strong organic growth.
Welcoming today’s announcement, UNIC CEO Laura Houlgatte said:
“On behalf of all UNIC members, I would like to congratulate every company featured in the fifth edition of our Giants of Exhibition: Europe ranking. Showcasing the largest cinema operators across the continent, this year’s Top 50 is a testament to the diversity and continued strength of the European exhibition sector.
Together, the companies featured represent more than 18,600 screens across over 2,300 cinema sites. Headquartered in 20 countries and operating in 38 European territories, they demonstrate the breadth and vitality of our industry. Eleven groups are active in three or more markets, underlining their importance as European players.”
“We’re proud to partner with UNIC once again to bring you the latest edition of Giants of Exhibition: Europe in 2026”, said Malcolm MacMillan, EVP Exhibitor Relations for The Boxoffice Company, “This list exists first and foremost to celebrate the scale, ambition, and resilience of the European cinema industry. It’s also an opportunity to spotlight the rising stars—the Breakthrough Giants (those that have made it into the list for the first time) and Fastest Moving Giants (those that are growing ahead of the market) —who are making bold moves and shaping the future of the market. Our sincere congratulations to everyone featured in this year’s Top 50 Giants. We look forward to honouring all members of the Top 50 European Giants at CineEurope in June.”
This year’s Giants of Exhibition: Europe sees France as the territory where most circuits are headquartered – a total of 9 – representing 3,501 screens in 383 locations, whereas the UK is the country where most screens operate: 3,430 in 382 sites. This is followed by Russia*, Germany (1,617 screens/217 locations), Spain (1,384 screens/142 locations) and Turkey (875 screens/112 locations).
This year’s full ranking of the Giants of Exhibition: Europe is included in the Press Release attachment.
About The International Union of Cinemas (UNIC)
The Union Internationale des Cinémas/International Union of Cinemas (UNIC) represents the interests of cinema trade associations and cinema operators covering 39 countries in Europe and neighbouring regions. More information at www.unic-cinemas.org
About The Boxoffice Company
The Boxoffice Company is the world’s #1 provider of media, technology, and data for the global film industry. The Boxoffice Company partners with leading search and discovery platforms, studios, and exhibitors of all sizes to help them connect directly with moviegoers and fans, using the latest innovations in ticketing, business intelligence, and digital marketing.
Part of the Paris-based Webedia Group, The Boxoffice Company is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in New York, Mexico, Brazil, France, the UK, Spain, Germany and Turkey.
About Boxoffice Pro
In publication since 1920, Boxoffice Pro is the reference publication of theatrical exhibition. Serving as the official publication of Cinema United (formerly the National Association of Theatre Owners), Boxoffice Pro includes expert analysis of industry trends, executive profiles, and exclusive financial forecasts in print and online. Following its 2018 merger with Film Journal International, Boxoffice Pro is the only monthly magazine exclusively focused on the interests of theatrical exhibition worldwide.
*UNIC and Boxoffice Pro’s corporate parent, The Boxoffice Company, have jointly agreed not to include the names and screen counts of the Russian companies that would otherwise have featured in the Top 50.