According to industry experts, it is now almost certain that the coming-of-age film will be the most successful film of 2024, in what will prove to be a lucrative year for the cinema industry.

Last year, box office receipts exceeded the 100 million euro mark for the first time in four years Barbie The film grossed over €9.9 million in Ireland and became the country's biggest box office hit of all time.

Industry observers have predicted a number of upcoming releases – including Gladiator II in November with Irish star Paul Mescal – will help ensure another record-breaking year for the big screen.

Cassandra Joyce, group sales director at Pearl & Dean Ireland, said: “2024 has been the year of the family blockbuster, with five of the top ten films so far this year being family releases.”

“Inside Out 2.” is strongly positioned as the biggest film of the year so far and is now just outside the top 10 films of all time in Ireland. It will be difficult to knock him out of first place.”

She added: “So far this year, up to September 22nd, box office takings are €71.9 million. Not surprisingly, this is less than in the same period last year – a year in which Barbenheimer was also present – when the value was 77.5 million euros.

“However, given the extensive releases we have coming up from October to December, we hope to catch up with last year’s numbers by the end of December.”

Coming soon highlights include: Paddington in Peru, Evil, Moana 2 and the eagerly awaited one gladiator Consequence.

The top 10 so far this year are: 1. Inside Out 2 (€6.2 million); 2. Despicable Me 4 (€4.6 million); 3. Deadpool and Wolverine (€4.3 million); 4. Dune: Part II (€3.4); 5. It ends with us (€2.8 million); 6. Everyone but you (€2.5 million); 7. migration (€2.2 million); 8. Wonka (€2.1 million); 9. Kung Fu Panda 4 (€2.1 million); 10. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (€1.7 million).

Despite the cinema industry's strong performance, attendance has not yet returned to booming pre-pandemic levels.

According to recent figures, there were 2.3 cinema admissions per capita in Ireland in 2023, compared to 3.3 in 2018 – which was then more than any other nationality in Europe and more than double the EU average.