Star Wars and Hunger Games boost Cineworld's 2015 revenues

Cineworld Group said it anticipates the group’s profit or 2015 to be in line with expectations after posting double digit revenue growth for the year.

The FTSE 250 cinema operator posted a trading update on Tuesday ahead of its full year results due out in March.

It showed total revenues for the year were up 12.3%, while box office revenues alone rose 11.6%.

A series of hit blockbusters boosted its fourth quarter sales, namely the latest James Bond flick ‘Spectre’, ‘Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2’ and ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’.

“The increase in admissions and the nature of the film mix drove the growth in retail revenues (which increased by 13.7%) as well as advertising and distribution revenues, both of which are reflected within the 13.4% increase in Other Income,” the company said.

Cineworld also noted it has increased the number of IMAX screens to 28, as well as the number of 4DX screens to 14, while also launching its first UK VIP Experience in Sheffield at the end of the year.

With a number of major films out in 2016 including ‘The BFG’, ‘Finding Dory’ and ‘Captain America: Civil War’, the company said it is looking forward to “delivering further value to shareholders”.

Cineworld Group’s full year results will be announced on March 10.