Benchmark your showtimes without mistaking supply for demand
FilmGrail analysed 6,163 public showtimes at 140 independent cinemas for 24–30 September 2026. It describes what cinemas offered, not what audiences chose, and the sample leans heavily to North America and one booking platform.
Published 9/28/2026
The idea
Knowing typical patterns helps you question your own grid — for example whether early-evening crowding or single screenings are deliberate.
Evidence
Across 6,163 showtimes at 140 independent cinemas: 21.6% started in the 19:00 hour; the median cinema offered 20 performances; 45% of starts fell on the hour or half-hour; 32% of cinema/title combinations had only one screening.
Operator takeaway
The transferable value is the operating mechanism, not an assumed outcome. Adapt it with a clear baseline and decision rule.
Try this
Compare your own start-time distribution with occupancy by slot for four weeks, then move one low-occupancy slot and measure the change.
Measure
Occupancy by start hour; Performances per week; Single-screening titles; Admissions per performance.
Watch out for
The study has no attendance or screen-count data; it measures offered showtimes, not demand. It is unclear whether single screenings were one-off events or low-demand titles. Results may not represent cinemas on other platforms or regions.
Operator, market and timing
FilmGrail, a cinema technology supplier, published scheduling benchmarks covering the week of 24–30 September 2026.
What the initiative does
Across 6,163 showtimes at 140 independent cinemas: 21.6% started in the 19:00 hour; the median cinema offered 20 performances; 45% of starts fell on the hour or half-hour; 32% of cinema/title combinations had only one screening.
Why it may matter to an operator
Knowing typical patterns helps you question your own grid — for example whether early-evening crowding or single screenings are deliberate.
Terms, eligibility and restrictions
120 of the 140 cinemas are in North America, 16 in the UK/Europe and 4 in Australia/New Zealand, weighted to Veezi-hosted booking pages.
What is known and what remains unknown
The study has no attendance or screen-count data; it measures offered showtimes, not demand. It is unclear whether single screenings were one-off events or low-demand titles. Results may not represent cinemas on other platforms or regions.
A practical adaptation or test (CIA suggestion)
Compare your own start-time distribution with occupancy by slot for four weeks, then move one low-occupancy slot and measure the change.
Resources and commercial or operational risks
Your own booking data. Risk: copying a benchmark that reflects supply habits rather than audience demand.
What to measure
Occupancy by start hour; Performances per week; Single-screening titles; Admissions per performance.
Related examples on Cinemas in Action
Distinct from FilmGrail's website technology study, also published this week.
Stay updated
Get new Cinemas in Action briefings by email.
Occasional operator briefings and new case studies — no marketing, no third parties.