Top 5 grossing movies of all time in Saudi Arabia 2023

In 2023, Egyptian productions Bahebek and Waafet Regala emerged as two of the top five highest-grossing movies of all time in Saudi Arabia. Bahebek slightly edged out Waafet Regala in box office numbers. The only locally produced film to make the list was Sattar. Except for the top two highest-grossing movies, which were in English, the remaining entries were all in Arabic.

Film industry in Saudi Arabia

The cinema industry in Saudi Arabia witnessed its initial opening in 2018, attracting investors and subsequently driving a surge in revenue in recent years. Saudi Arabia’s top 5 grossing movies in 2023, led by Oppenheimer, generated almost 35 million U.S. dollars. In 2021, the Saudi Arabian film industry had a size of 238 million, with projections suggesting a quadruple growth by the end of the decade. Simultaneously, the number of movie screens is expected to increase fivefold during the same period, indicating a promising trajectory for the industry's expansion.

Saudi Arabia’s entertainment revolution

Entertainment in Saudi Arabia has undergone a significant transformation, in alignment with its Vision 2030 initiative aimed at diversifying the economy. Saudi Arabia has injected billions of dollars into the entertainment sector, fostering its rapid growth. In connection with this investment, the country has also relaxed visa requirements for numerous countries, facilitating access for tourists and visitors. The public's response to the impact of the new visa regulations on the country’s entertainment industry has been overwhelmingly positive, as evidenced by the surge in number of entertainment events in 2019. These events encompassed a wide selection of programs, including sports, festivals, and online entertainment.