Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins) — Market Size & Saturation

There are 4,105 motion picture theaters (except drive-ins) establishments in the United States — that's 1.2 businesses per 100,000 people.

4,105
Total Establishments (QCEW)
16,844
Total Firms
1.2
Businesses per 100K People

Is Motion Picture Theaters Oversaturated?

With only 1.2 businesses per 100,000 people, the motion picture theaters (except drive-ins) market has relatively low saturation. Just 4,105 establishments serve the entire US market.

Low saturation can indicate an opportunity — either the market is underserved, or there are high barriers to entry (capital requirements, licensing, specialized skills). If demand exists and you can clear the entry barriers, competition will be limited. However, verify that low saturation isn't due to declining demand.

Competition Dynamics

Entry and exit rates reveal how actively the competitive landscape is changing.

15.7%
Entry Rate
14.7%
Exit Rate
45%
5-Year Survival
+1.0%
Net Growth

More businesses are opening (15.7%) than closing (14.7%) — the market is expanding and attracting new entrants. Competition is intensifying.

Should You Enter This Market?

Here's a summary of the competitive picture for motion picture theaters (except drive-ins):

Market Size

4,105 establishments

Density

1.2 per 100K people

Avg Revenue/Business

$1.8M/year

Competition Level

Low Competition

Low competition suggests opportunity — if you can clear entry barriers and validate demand in your local market, you'll face fewer rivals.

Revenue benchmarks for Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins) →Survival & failure rates →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many motion picture theaters (except drive-ins) businesses are in the US?
There are 4,105 motion picture theaters (except drive-ins) establishments in the United States (16,844 unique firms). This translates to approximately 1.2 businesses per 100,000 people nationwide.
Is the motion picture theaters (except drive-ins) market oversaturated?
With only 1.2 businesses per 100K people, the motion picture theaters (except drive-ins) market has low saturation and may present opportunities for new entrants.

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics QCEW (2023), U.S. Census Bureau Business Dynamics Statistics. Population: 331,449,281 (2020 Census).