The rise - some 56% since over the past decade - was driven by strong performances of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and The Lord of the Rings as well as Bridget Jones's Diary, Shrek, Cats and Dogs and Hannibal.

Ticket sales across Europe echoed the growth, with France having its best performance since 1984 with 185m admissions, and Germany up 13.5 million on 2000 to hit 166 million. The release of new Star Wars, Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings films in 2002, should see the growth continue.