UAE cinemas generate over AED734 million in 2025

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UAE cinemas generate over AED734 million in 2025

June 17, 2026

DUBAI,— The UAE’s National Media Authority on Tuesday reported strong growth across the country’s media sector in 2025, with gains in cinema, gaming, publishing, and content creation.

Officials said the results reflect new regulatory frameworks and policies aimed at supporting the sector and boosting its role in the national economy.

The cinema industry brought in more than AED734 million at the box office last year. Theaters sold over 14.8 million tickets, and around 1,270 films were shown across the country.

The authority said the figures confirm the UAE’s place as one of the region’s top cinema markets and point to the industry’s expanding role in the creative economy.

Gaming remained one of the fastest-growing entertainment segments in the country. Digital gaming platforms generated AED2.7 billion in revenue during 2025.

The number of games reviewed and classified rose to 552, up from 375 the year before.

In publishing, authorities issued more than 100,000 permits for book circulation and publishing. Close to 1.2 million titles entered the UAE market, a sign of the country’s broad cultural and intellectual activity.

The authority also said it has issued more than 15,000 advertiser permits since the licensing program began last year.

Officials described the permits as a major step toward regulating digital advertising and improving transparency in the content economy.

Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, vice chairman of the National Media Authority, said the year’s results show the UAE has built a competitive media environment that supports the broader economy.

He said the sector’s performance points to growing economic contributions, fueled by rising investment, expanding creative industries, and progress in high-potential areas such as cinema, gaming, content creation, and publishing.

Al Shehhi added that the growth reflects forward-looking media legislation that keeps pace with global trends and prepares the sector for the future.

(With files from UAE’s National Media Authority, WAM)