Italian Box Office Hits 30-Year High in May 2026

Italian cinemas recorded their most profitable May since electronic tracking began in 1995, earning €59.6 million—86% more than May 2025 and 146% more than May 2024. The surge was driven by unexpected blockbusters like horror films Obsession and Backrooms, alongside strong performances from Italian movies. For the first time since the pandemic, box office revenues are nearly back to 2019 levels, with only a 2% deficit in the first five months of 2026, despite attendance still being 16% lower. Italian cinema captured 34% of the domestic box office, up from its usual share, thanks to hits like Buen camino by Checco Zalone, La grazia by Paolo Sorrentino, and Le cose non dette by Gabriele Muccino. The sequel Il diavolo veste Prada 2 earned €31 million in Italy, the highest worldwide outside the US and UK. The summer lineup promises further growth with releases including The Mandalorian and Grogu, Toy Story 5, a new Spider-Man film, and original films by Steven Spielberg and Christopher Nolan. The recovery reflects a shift in audience habits, with younger viewers returning faster and original non-franchise films gaining traction.