Cineworld Group said today its UK cinemas pulled in more people than expected after a months-long Covid-19 lockdown, helped by Sony Pictures' animated adventure comedy "Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway".
The world's second-largest cinema chain also said more than 97% of its US cinemas had resumed operations.
Most of its screens in the rest of the world were expected to reopen by the end of the month, it added.
The strong reopening is an encouraging sign for the London-listed company, which in March sunk to its first-ever loss as the Covid-19 crisis prompted strict restrictions and disrupted movie releases.
The UK, which went into a third national lockdown in January this year, has been gradually easing curbs thanks to a successful vaccination drive, letting cinemas now operate at a 50% capacity.
"With improving consumer confidence and the success of the vaccination rollout, we expect a good recovery in attendance over the coming months," Cineworld's chief executive Mooky Greidinger said.
Greidinger said he expected a strong performance next week too, helped by Walt Disney's "Cruella" and Paramount thriller "A Quiet Place 2".
"Peter Rabbit 2", a sequel to the 2018 animation movie, has clocked in a worldwide collection of $30.2m so far since its debut in theatres this year, according to IMDb's Box Office Mojo website.
Cineworld also said it had received the full $203m tax refund under the US government's coronavirus relief programme for companies.
Last week, Hollywood studios promised a slate of big-ticket releases in summer to lure crowds back to cinemas, with top actors, directors and executives previewing upcoming films in cinemas.
Cinemas across Ireland rolled their final credits on Christmas Eve, almost 150 days ago, and have not reopened since.
Peter Rabbit 2 is opening on big screens across Northern Ireland from today when cinemas there reopen their doors
Mark Anderson, Director of the Omniplex Cinema Group, said that while it is a good day for the 16 cinemas they run in Northern Ireland, there is "no joy" for the cinema industry in the Republic.
The cineman group operates on both sides of the border.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Anderson said the reopening date for cinemas in the south was slated to be 7 June, but they have had "no assurances" that this will be the case.
He said the industry has been "haemorrhaging staff" and they cannot provide job security.
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Mark Anderson, Director of the Omniplex Cinema Group, said that while it is a good day for the 16 cinemas they run in Northern Ireland, there is "no joy" for the cinema industry in the Republic.
The cineman group operates on both sides of the border.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Anderson said the reopening date for cinemas in the south was slated to be 7 June, but they have had "no assurances" that this will be the case.
He said the industry has been "haemorrhaging staff" and they cannot provide job security.
"Trying to entice and attract those staff members back to the industry without an opening date is impossible", he said. "It just can't be done."
There are eight cinemas in Northern Ireland that are within 20 kilometres of the border, Mr Anderson said, adding that he "absolutely" expects people to head North to see a movie.
