Aussies head back to the big screen

18 August 2026
Consumer Spending

Key points

Recreation and personal services spending rose 7.1%* over the past year.
Spending in the category increased 0.9% in July.
Moving Story Entertainment says cinema attendance is now exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

Australians continue to prioritise leisure and entertainment experiences despite ongoing pressure on household budgets, according to NAB's latest Consumer Spend Trend report.

Recreation and personal services spending rose 7.1% over the past year and increased a further 0.9% in July, reflecting continued demand for activities including cinemas, sports, arts and other leisure experiences.

For NAB customer Moving Story Entertainment, which owns Classic Cinemas, Lido Cinemas, Cameo Cinemas and Ritz Cinemas, attendance across its network is now exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

"One of the biggest surprises for us has been the strength of younger audiences,” Moving Story Entertainment Head of Marketing Jaymes Durante said.

“We were often told younger audiences belonged to streaming services, but what we're seeing now is the opposite. They're turning up on opening weekend because they want to experience these films while everyone is talking about them."

NAB Business Banker Vania Chen said the data showed Australians were continuing to back experiences that brought people together.

"Australians are being thoughtful about where they spend, but they're still making room for leisure and entertainment," Ms Chen said.

"Even as households keep a close eye on their budgets, experiences remain an important part of how people choose to spend their discretionary income."

Notes:

* Based on NAB customer spending at cinema operators nationally over the 12 months to July 2026 compared with the previous corresponding period.
Cinemas form part of NAB's Recreation & Personal Services category, alongside activities such as sports, arts, events and other leisure experiences. Spending across the category was up 7.1% year-on-year in July 2026.
Spending growth strengthened across most age groups in July, with the largest increases among Australians aged under 25.
Consumer spending increased 7.7% year-on-year overall in July.
NAB Consumer Spend Trend is based on aggregated electronic transaction data from more than 4 million transactions per day.