Secondary Research

  Most popular box office movies in 2021

(Information according to BFI Statistical Yearbook)

In 2021, action films really captured audiences at the box office. Famous movies such as No Time to Die, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Dune, Shang-Chi, and Black Widow were the top earners, these movies often include action with superhero, fantasy, or sci-fi elements. No Time to Die was the ranked number 1, grossing £96.7 million, while superhero films like Spider-Man: No Way Home and Shang-Chi also performed exceptionally well. These films enjoyed wide releases, with No Time to Die showing in 791 theaters and Spider-Man in 694, making it easy for audiences to catch them. Spider-Man had the biggest opening weekend at £31.9 million, followed by No Time to Die at £25.8 million, showing strong audience excitement. Big studios like Walt Disney, Warner Bros, and Universal led in distributing these high-earning action films.

Most popular independent films in 2021

In 2021, the independent film scene in the UK and Republic of Ireland had a surprising lack of action films, with The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard being the only notable entry, landing at 2nd place and earning £3.8 million from 525 screens. This contrasts with mainstream action films, which often earns in over £10 million. While this action-comedy managed a solid opening of £1.5 million, it highlights the uphill battle independent action films face—usually needing support from larger distributors like Lionsgate to reach audiences. The overall scarcity of action in this list suggests that independent filmmakers tend to gravitate toward dramas and artistic projects, leaving the adrenaline-pumping action genre mostly to big-budget productions that can afford extensive marketing and elaborate effects.

Film released by genres

In 2021, the action movies have dominated the box office even though they have 52 titles and cover only 11.8% of all movie releases. These films brought in £296.7 million which make them the top-earning genre of the year. No Time to Die, the James Bond movie, was a major hit, boosting the genre's popularity. Action films were shown in about 210 theaters at their peak, but they had fewer screens than horror and sci-fi movies. Despite fewer releases compared to drama and comedy, action films made a lot of money, showing how much audiences enjoy big-budget blockbusters. The genre’s success proves its lasting appeal.

Digital film market from 2012-2021

From 2012 to 2021, the UK Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) market skyrocketed, jumping from £53 million to £1.3 billion. Services like Netflix and Amazon Prime thrived as faster internet, more smart devices, and exclusive content fueled their growth. The pandemic added to this surge, with people turning to streaming for entertainment during lockdowns. SVOD became the go-to choice for viewers, offering a wide range of content through convenient subscription models, leaving traditional rental and purchase options behind. As the market matures, competition is set to increase, especially with the rise of niche streaming platforms.

Popularity of on-demand streaming services

In 2021, the landscape of on-demand streaming services in the UK highlighted some clear favorites among viewers. Netflix was at the top, with 66% of households using it, thanks to its vast library of shows and films and a user-friendly interface. Close behind was BBC iPlayer at 64%, which attracts viewers with its free access and popular British programming. Amazon Prime Video took the third spot with 53%, appealing to many as part of the broader Amazon Prime membership. Then there's ITV Hub, which garnered 49% of users, showcasing that traditional broadcasters still hold a strong presence in the streaming world. YouTube and All4 both captured 41% of the market, thanks to their diverse content that appeals to a wide audience. Disney+ made a quick impact with 27%, particularly loved for its family-friendly offerings. My5 attracted 25% of households with its niche programming, while NOW and UK TV Play had smaller shares at 9% and 8%, respectively. NOW’s flexible subscriptions appeal to those who prefer not to commit long-term, while UK TV Play caters to fans of specific channels but hasn’t reached a wider audience. Overall, while established services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer continue to dominate, there’s still space for newer and niche platforms to grow.

Top films

With eight out of ten films from its catalog, Netflix was by far the leader among the top ten movies on UK SVOD platforms in 2021. With 5.3 million viewers, Red Notice topped the list, followed by The Dig with 4.0 million. With 3.7 million viewers, both Army of the Dead and The Tomorrow War showed a significant demand for action movies. Greenland on Amazon attracted 3.1 million viewers, demonstrating the continued popularity of disaster films. Disney+ struck an impression with Cruella (2.9 million) and Black Widow (2.7 million), while Netflix's News of the World attracted 3.0 million viewers. Lastly, with 2.6 million and 2.5 million viewers, respectively, Love and Monsters and Don't Look Up on Netflix complete the list. Overall, Netflix’s dominance is evident, but Amazon and Disney+ are also successfully appealing to a diverse audience.