May 19, 2026 4:56am PT

As Global Box Office Sluggishly Recovers, Asia Leads While Independent Cinemas Stand to Benefit From Changing Trends, CNC Study Finds

The hegemony of Hollywood is being eroded in favor of rising regional powers, with diversity increasingly becoming key to attracting audiences

Ed Meza

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Ed Meza

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"Ne Zha 2" was the No. 1 film at the global box office last year. Courtesy of Enlight Pictures

In the three years since the end of the COVID pandemic, cinema exhibition around the world continues to feel the impact, with a slower than expected recovery exacerbated by unpredictability in the market, the industry downturn and shifting audience tastes, according to a new study published by France’s National Center of Cinema (CNC).

While Asia leads in global box office, the volatility in the market is creating opportunities, particularly for independent cinemas that cater to the increasingly diverse tastes of audiences.