Cinema is not just a movie watching outlet for Arabs but extends to social get-to-gethers, stress relieving and to take a break. For Arab females it reaches to extremes in terms of indulging herself.

For Asians it is to watch the movie itself.

For Westerners it extends to social get-togethers besides for the movie itself

Decision-maker & influencer: 

Arabs take the decision to go to a cinema either independently or in consultation with friends.

Asians & Westerners include their partner in the decision making process as compared to Arabs

Decision-making process

Two in three Arabs plan in advance to watch movies whereas for two in three Asians & Westerners it is an impulse decision.

In case the cinema house is full Arabs prefer to watch same movie at a different cinema house whereas Asians will watch a different movie in the same complex

Movie watching pattern

• One in six Arabs youngsters claim that they watch more movies compared to past 6 months. 
• Entertainment appeal (70%), Narrow gap in the release of movie in the West and then in the Middle East (35%) are the key reasons to watch more movies than in the past.
• Arabs mention the mushrooming of new cinemas to be one of the reasons to watch more movies.

Source: AC Nielsen