Saudi cinema sector generates close to $1bn in revenue 

Vox Cinema at Al Qasr Mall in Riyadh. Shutterstock
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Updated 22 April 2024
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Saudi cinema sector generates close to $1bn in revenue 

RIYADH: Just six years after opening its first cinemas, Saudi Arabia’s big screen sector has accumulated SR3.7 billion ($986 million) in revenue, according to government data.  

As stated by the General Authority for Media Regulation, the industry sold over 61 million tickets from April 2018 to March of the current year.  

This period has witnessed the screening of 1,971 films, including 45 local productions, which underscores the burgeoning entertainment sector within the Kingdom. 

This significant growth in this division reflects Saudi Arabia’s rapid adoption of cultural activities, aligning with its Vision 2030 goals to diversify the economy and enhance quality of life. 

Hanaa Al-Omair, president of the Saudi Cinema Association, highlighted the rapid growth of Saudi Arabia’s cinema market, which she described as the most expanding market in the Middle East, according to a report by Saudi Gazette. 

Last year, the production of Saudi cinematic content included about 19 local films, underscoring a positive trajectory for the industry, she added. 

Vision 2030 is driving specific support measures for the entertainment sector, aiming to contribute over $23 billion or 3 percent of gross domestic product and create more than 100,000 jobs by 2030. 

The data also highlights the expansion of cinema infrastructure across the country. 

Currently, Saudi Arabia boasts 66 movie houses with approximately 618 screens and 63,373 seats.  

These facilities are operated by around six companies and are spread across 22 cities, illustrating the widespread accessibility of  entertainment venues in the Kingdom. 

Al-Omair expressed optimism about this trend, suggesting that it confirms the industry is moving in the right direction. 

As part of its effort to boost the Kingdom’s cinematic culture, the association announced earlier last week the release of the first 22 books for the Saudi Cinema Encyclopedia. 

The project aims to release 100 books in its first year, published by Josour Al-Thaqafah Publishing House. 

The first set of releases will be available to the public during the 10th Saudi Film Festival to be held on May 2-9. 


Saudi Maaden reports 156% profit surge to $2bn on strong commodity prices, record production

Updated 05 March 2026
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Saudi Maaden reports 156% profit surge to $2bn on strong commodity prices, record production

RIYADH: Saudi mining and metals company Maaden has reported a 156 percent jump in its net profit attributable to shareholders for 2025, driven by higher commodity prices, record production volumes, and a one-off bargain purchase gain.

The state-backed giant posted a net profit of SR7.35 billion ($1.95 billion) for the full year 2025, an increase from SR2.87 billion in the previous year. The firm’s revenue surged by 19 percent to SR38.58 billion, up from SR32.55 billion in 2024.

This comes as Saudi Arabia steps up efforts to expand its mining sector as a pillar of economic diversification, encouraging international participation and private investment to unlock the Kingdom’s estimated $2.5 trillion in untapped mineral resources under Vision 2030.    

In a statement on Tadawul, the company said: “Performance was led by record phosphate production, near record aluminum production, an increase in all three of Maaden’s main output commodity prices.”

The performance was also fueled by a 60 percent increase in gross profit, which reached SR14.79 billion. In its annual results announcement, Maaden attributed the top-line growth to “higher commodity market prices for phosphate, aluminum and gold business units,” as well as increased sales volumes in its phosphate and aluminum segments. This was partially offset by slightly lower sales volume in the gold unit.

Maaden’s CEO, Bob Wilt, hailed 2025 as a transformative year for the company, marked by strategic growth and operational excellence. “This was a great year for Maaden’s strategic growth. We delivered strong financial results and sustained operational excellence across the business,” he said in a statement.

“This was driven by growth in production across all businesses, including record-breaking DAP (di-ammonium phosphatevolumes), disciplined cost control across and a clear commitment to our role as a cornerstone of the Saudi economy,” Wilt added.

Profitability was further bolstered by an increased share of net profit from joint ventures and an associate. This included a one-off bargain purchase gain of SR768 million related to Maaden’s investment in Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. The company also benefited from lower finance costs.

The fourth quarter of 2025 was strong, with Maaden swinging to a net profit of SR1.67 billion, compared to a loss of SR106 million in the same period of the prior year. Quarterly revenue rose 7 percent to SR10.64 billion.

The firm achieved record production of di-ammonium phosphate, reaching 6.72 million tonnes for the year, a 9 percent increase. Aluminum production remained near-record levels, while the company added a net 7.8 million ounces to its reportable gold mineral resources through discovery and resource development.

The phosphate division saw sales jump 17 percent to SR20.77 billion, with the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization margin expanding to 47 percent. The aluminum business reported a 9 percent increase in sales to SR10.99 billion, with EBITDA more than doubling in the fourth quarter.

Looking ahead, Wilt emphasized that the pace of growth will accelerate as the company advances key initiatives, including the Phosphate 3 Phase 1 and Ar Rjum projects, which remain on budget and schedule. Maaden has also secured a gas supply for its future Phosphate 4 project.

“This pace of growth will only accelerate. Not only as we advance projects and increase the scale of our exploration program, but as we continue to grow production and implement technology that will further modernize, streamline and unlock value,” Wilt added.

Earnings per share for the year rose sharply to SR1.91, up from SR0.78 in 2024. Total shareholders’ equity increased by 18.7 percent to SR61.59 billion.