France's Fête du Cinéma draws record crowds amid heatwave

The annual Fête du Cinéma promotion, running from 28 June to 1 July 2026, saw a surge in cinema attendance across France. On opening day more than 1.3 million tickets were sold, a 45 % increase over the previous year, and during the week of 17‑23 June cinemas recorded 3.12 million admissions, up 68 % year‑on‑year. The unprecedented heatwave prompted many to seek the air‑conditioned comfort of movie theatres.

Popular titles such as "Toy Story 5", the horror film "Backrooms", and the historical drama "La Bataille de Gaulle – L'âge de fer" contributed to the boost, with the latter reaching over a million spectators and even rising 17 % in its third week. All films were offered at a flat €5 ticket price during the event, with a few exceptions for special formats. The French National Cinema Federation (FNCF) highlighted the strong programming and the attractive pricing as key factors behind the record turnout.

The promotion, backed by long‑time partner BNP Paribas, also offered thousands of complimentary tickets to cardholders. The Fête du Cinéma is scheduled to conclude on 1 July, providing a final opportunity for audiences to enjoy discounted screenings before regular pricing resumes.