Market Share of Independent Films in Great Britain
The market share for independent films in Great Britain at the box office has seen a reduction in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. This decline is notable, given the strong performance of independent titles in previous years.
Top Independent Films in Great Britain
The romantic drama "We Live in Time" directed by John Crowley, starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, was the highest-grossing independent film in the first half of 2025, earning £8.8 million after its release on January 1. Another strong performer was "The Salt Path," which grossed £7.9 million after its release on May 30. Both films premiered at Toronto, showcasing the appeal of British independent cinema on the global stage.
Comparison with Previous Years
In comparison, the most powerful independent title in Great Britain for the first half of 2024 was Studiocanal’s "Back to Black," which brought in £12.3 million. The market share of independent films in Great Britain was 8.4% in the first half of 2025, almost three percent lower than the 11.2% share in the equivalent period of 2024.
Notable Mentions
Other notable independent films include "The Brutalist," which earned £3.8 million after its release on January 24, and "LED Zeppelin," a documentary that grossed £1.1 million after its IMAX release on February 5, followed by a general release on February 7. These films demonstrate the diversity and range of independent cinema in Great Britain.
Box Office Performance
The total box office gross of the top 10 UK independent films in the first half of 2025 was £34 million, a decrease of 22% from the £43.6 million grossed in the same period of 2024. This decline suggests a challenging landscape for independent films, despite the overall box office in Great Britain adopting half a billion pounds with £532.2 million for 2025, an increase from the previous year.
Cinema Attendance
During this period, there were 61 million cinema registrations, 12% higher than in the first half of 2024 but 27% lower than in the first half of 2019. This fluctuation in attendance highlights the evolving nature of cinema-going habits in Great Britain.
Qualifying British Films
A film is considered qualifying in Great Britain if it is deemed British based on official co-production agreements, filmographic co-production, or if it is clearly British in terms of content, producers, finance, and talent. Warner Bros’ US-South Korea co-production "Mickey 17," directed by Bong Joon Ho and featuring visual effects treated by British companies, is an example of a film that qualifies as British.
Top Qualifying British Films
The top qualifying British films include "Bridget Jones: Crazy About the Boy," which grossed £46.4 million after its release on February 13, and "The Salt Path," with £7.9 million. These films showcase the success of British cinema, both in terms of independent productions and larger, qualifying films.
Conclusion
The first half of 2025 saw a decline in the market share of independent films in Great Britain compared to the same period in 2024. Despite this, British cinema as a whole performed well, with a significant proportion of qualifying films succeeding at the box office. The diversity and range of independent and qualifying British films underscore the vibrancy of the film industry in Great Britain.
