Cineworld hopes big films will help recoup losses

Cineworld hopes the upcoming Hobbit sequel and current hit Guardians of the Galaxy will help improve their takings. Picture: New Line Cinema

Cineworld hopes a raft of upcoming blockbusters will improve its performance after box office takings were dented by the World Cup.

It said a strong line-up including Guardians of the Galaxy and the latest instalments of the Hunger Games and Hobbit franchises should provide a second-half boost, after admissions in the UK and Ireland slipped 3.4 per cent in the six months to June. Higher prices meant ticket revenues fell by just 0.5 per cent.