Belgian Cinema Attendance Rises Amid Heatwave and Blockbuster Season
Belgian cinema attendance is on the rise this summer, driven by a combination of scorching temperatures and a blockbuster-heavy release calendar. With the country experiencing its second heatwave of the season and temperatures forecast to climb further, air-conditioned theaters have become a refuge for audiences seeking relief from the heat.
A Summer of Heat and Screens
Belgium has endured an exceptionally hot summer in 2026. The country experienced its second heatwave in early August, and the Royal Meteorological Institute (IRM) has issued a yellow heat alert valid from August 8 to 13, with temperatures expected to reach 32-34°C in the coming days. According to RTL, a third heatwave is now possible for summer 2026, with weather presenter Émilie Dupuis noting that “we’re really going to feel this heat that will settle and establish itself on our territory.”
The heat is proving to be an unexpected ally for the cinema industry. As temperatures soar, more Belgians are choosing to spend their leisure time in the cool, darkened atmosphere of movie theaters.
Les Grignoux Reports 10% Attendance Increase
The uptick is particularly visible at Les Grignoux, the Liège-based non-profit cinema association that operates four theaters across Liège and Namur. According to RTBF, the organization reports a 10% increase in attendance compared to last summer.
“This summer, we feel an increase,” confirms Lucien Halflants, IT, Projection and Operations Manager at Les Grignoux. He attributes the surge to a combination of factors, noting that “we have films that are working quite well like The Odyssey by Christopher Nolan or the latest Spider-Man.”
The blockbuster factor cannot be overstated. Christopher Nolan’s L’Odyssée, released on July 17, has become the director’s biggest box-office success ever, grossing $1.104 billion worldwide in less than a month, according to RTBF. The film, starring Matt Damon as Odysseus, has dethroned The Dark Knight Rises as Nolan’s highest-grossing picture.
Kinepolis Bets Big on Premium Formats
The blockbuster season has also spurred significant investment in premium cinema experiences. Kinepolis inaugurated a new IMAX 70mm projector at its Brussels location in July—a rarity in Europe, with only Prague, Montpellier, and London offering comparable equipment. As RTBF reported, the system weighs 2.5 tons and required reinforcing the building’s floor. The investment has already paid off: 17,000 tickets were sold for the IMAX 70mm screen before the first screening of L’Odyssée.
Financial Challenges Persist Despite Summer Boost
Despite the summer uptick, the cinema sector in Belgium faces significant headwinds. Les Grignoux, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, saw its 2025 attendance drop 13% compared to 2024, with 473,000 admissions. The organization faces rising costs, reduced public subsidies, and attendance levels that have not fully recovered since the pandemic.
In response, Les Grignoux will increase ticket prices from September 1, 2026. As detailed on the organization’s official tariffs page, the regular ticket price will rise from €9.50 to €10.50. The organization emphasizes that this adjustment is necessary to ensure its long-term sustainability while preserving accessibility through various discount programs.
The association is also navigating a digital transition that has temporarily suspended online ticket sales, though tickets remain available at theater box offices.
A Summer of Community Programming
Beyond the blockbusters, Les Grignoux has maintained its community-focused programming throughout the summer. As reported by QU4TRE, the organization runs a free outdoor cinema program from June 27 to September 12, along with concerts on the brasserie terrace and special menus. The outdoor screenings, held every Saturday at the Sauvenière cinema courtyard, have become a beloved Liège summer tradition, as DH noted in its coverage of the program’s launch.
What’s Next
With temperatures expected to climb further and a potential third heatwave on the horizon, the summer cinema boom may continue. Upcoming releases, including Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Three, are expected to draw audiences to the new IMAX 70mm screen in Brussels. For Les Grignoux, the question remains whether this summer’s momentum can help offset the financial pressures that led to the September price increase—and whether the industry can sustain this renewed interest in the big-screen experience.