Cinema receipts up by €3.8m

IT was the year of the 3D blockbuster and, while other facets of the entertainment industry were left counting the cost, cinema again bucked the trend in 2010.

The top 10 films at the Irish box office last year drew in almost €4 million more than their biggest grossing counterparts in 2009: €36.9m compared to €33.1m.

Avatar bagged the number one spot with €6.2m in box office receipts. The animated franchises Toy Story 3 and Shrek Forever After were in second and third place.