MOVIE theaters reaped record earnings around the world last year — US$38.3 billion — fueled by China and young people’s spending on cinema tickets, industry data showed yesterday.

    Global spending on big screen showings of films was up by 5.2 percent last year largely on the back of phenomenal growth in China — 51.2 percent, according to the National Association of Theater Owners (NATO).

    There also were major increases in Mexico (14.7 percent), Germany (14.3 percent), Spain (7.8 percent) and Brazil (7.4 percent).

    At the North American box office, big-budget blockbusters such as “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “Jurassic World” helped push earnings above US$11 billion for the first time. (SD-Agencies)