Local Dutch films took their highest-ever market share in the Netherlands during 2002.

A revived local interest in Dutch movies was one of the main reasons that national cinema admissions in the Netherlands increased by 5% last year. Local productions like Volle Maan, Minoes and Pietje Bell helped the national film industry take a 10.3% share of the total admissions. Ten years ago the local market share was just 4.2%, while in 2001 the share was up to 9.4%.

The increase is a result of a more commercial type of producing, with more Dutch movies being aimed at the lucrative teenage (Volle Maan, Oesters van Namkee) and family markets (Minoes, Pietje Bell).

In addition, according to the national cinema body NFC (Nederlandse Federatie van de Cinematografie) cinemagoing in the Netherlands is no longer dominated by youngsters. More and more people in their twenties, thirties and forties are rediscovering the cinema. And women are visiting movies more often than men.

During 2002, Dutch cinemas registered 24 million admissions, 200,000 more than in 2001. However, with average annual attendance of 1.50 per person (the highest since 1993) the Dutch are still one of the least frequent moviegoers in Europe.

Last year 262 films were released in Holland. The most popular were:

1 Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets 1,475,000 admissions*
2 Lord Of The Rings: Fellowship Of The Ring 1,347.000
3 Ocean's Eleven 807,000
4 Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers 691,000*
5 Star Wars Episode 2: Attack Of The Clones 644,000
6 Spider-Man 624,000
7 Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone 559,000
8 Signs 521,000
9 Volle Maan 454,000
10 About A Boy 442,000

TOP 10 Dutch Movies 2002:
1 Volle Maan 454,000 admissions
2 Minoes 435,000
3 Pietje Bell 433,000
4 Ja Zuster Nee Zuster 421,000
5 Oesters Van Nam Kee 143,000
6 Loenatik, De Moevie 125,000
7 De Tweeling 109,000
8 Discovery Of Heaven 93,000
9 Tom En Thomas 53,000
10 Zus & Zo 38,000

Source: NFC