Over the past decade, the average price of a cinema ticket in Latvia has risen from €4.85 in 2016 to €6.73 last year, reflecting a nearly 40% increase according to data compiled by the National Film Center. This rise in ticket prices comes despite an increase in cinema attendance, with more than 2.16 million tickets sold last year—about 70,000 more than the previous year. This trend demonstrates that even with rising costs, the popularity of movie-going has not significantly waned among Latvians.

The past ten years have seen fluctuations in cinema attendance in Latvia, with figures exceeding 2.5 million before the pandemic. In stark contrast, attendance dropped dramatically to just under 900,000 in 2020 and further down to approximately 500,000 in 2021, which impacted the average number of cinema visits per person. For instance, the average attendance rate per resident fell to 0.47 visits per year and dipped further to 0.27. However, the film industry has shown signs of recovery in recent years as audience numbers have started to climb once more.

By 2022, cinema attendance had rebounded to over 1.7 million, and in 2023 it surpassed the two million mark. Notably, the average number of visits per person has also been increasing, indicating a growing appetite for cinema despite the increased prices. This data suggests that, while the cost of going to the movies has risen, the cultural significance and desire for cinematic experiences in Latvia remain strong and resilient amid various challenges.