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Multiplex chains expect average ticket prices (ATP) to rise up to 6 per cent in 2026, buoyed by a better flow of films throughout the year and growing preference for premium format screens like IMAX and 4DX.
In 2025, ATP growth remained moderate and largely in line with inflation for India’s largest cinema exhibitor, PVR INOX.
In the first half of FY26, PVR INOX reported a year-on-year (Y-o-Y) increase of about 5 per cent in ATP. At Cinepolis India, ATP rose around 3 per cent in 2025, marginally below inflation of about 4 per cent. Premium pricing there was driven largely by tentpole releases in special formats, including Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1, Chhaava, Dhurandhar, and Avatar: Fire and Ash, amid on the back of IMAX and large format demand.
Miraj Entertainment said its ATP remained largely flat in the first half of the year, with no major growth over the previous financial year until the second quarter. For the next year, cinema exhibitors expect ticket prices to rise gradually rather than spike sharply, in the range of 4-6 per cent.
“ATP in 2026 is expected to grow in the range of 4 to 5 per cent, driven by a stronger content pipeline and rising audience preference for premium and immersive cinema experiences,” said Gautam Dutta, chief executive officer (CEO), revenue and operations, PVR INOX.
He added that a better spread of franchise titles, event films and high-quality regional cinema across the calendar should reduce seasonality and help sustain footfalls. “Content will remain the primary driver, with well-crafted stories across languages encouraging audiences to return to theatres.”
Dutta said 2026 is likely to be a step-up year in terms of film flow, footfalls, and overall box-office performance. On a full-year basis in 2025, Miraj Entertainment expects ATP to close marginally higher than last year, at around 5 per cent.
“As more viewers choose experience-led formats, the blended average ticket price will naturally move upward (in the range of 4-6 per cent),” said Sameer Munshi, vice-president, operations and food and beverage, Miraj Entertainment.
“However, affordability will remain critical, and growth will continue to be more volume-driven than price-driven,” Munshi said, adding that growth is also visible in spend per head, with food and beverage recording 10 per cent Y-o-Y growth.
This follows December, which already saw several releases across genres, led by Ranveer Singh-starrer Dhurandhar. The film has collected around ~619.30 crore in 19 days, with its second part slated for an Eid 2026 release in five languages. From January 1, films such as Ikkis, Border 2 featuring Sunny Deol around Republic Day, O Romeo starring Shahid Kapoor and Tripti Dimri in February, followed by Yash Raj Films’ Mardaani 3 and the comedy Dhamaal 4 in March, are lined up for 2026. Major Hollywood releases, including Michael Jackson’s biopic Michael and The Devil Wears Prada 2, are also expected in the first half of the year.
In comparison, Chhaava was the only major Hindi-language release that drew audiences to theatres in early 2025. Momentum slowly picked up only in May following Hollywood releases such as Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.
Amid this, multiplex chains such as PVR INOX, Miraj Entertainment and Mukta A2 Cinemas have managed to sustain weekday footfalls through special ticket offers. Devang Sampat, managing director at Cinepolis India, said Tuesday admissions have increased from about 9-10 per cent to 15-16 per cent of weekly footfalls. At Mukta A2 Cinemas, weekday offers have encouraged repeat viewing and helped rebuild footfalls beyond weekends, said Satwik Lele, its chief operating officer.
This comes at a time when multiplex chains like PVR INOX are sharpening their focus on experience-led offerings like better menus and recreational activities. Munshi said that during Dhurandhar’s current theatrical run, spend per head rose by 20 per cent and Sampat emphasised that food and beverage accounted for 30 per cent of Cinepolis India’s revenue in 2025.
“The industry is looking at a robust film pipeline across languages and genres, which should translate into stronger footfalls and sustained box office momentum,” said Lele. “With audiences clearly demonstrating their willingness to step out for quality cinema, we expect the coming year to further consolidate theatres as the preferred destination for collective, immersive entertainment.”
