Between January and March this year, the UK box office took $448.3m (£291.1m), compared with $386m (£250.80m) in 2009, according to new FDA figures.

UK box-office receipts for the first quarter of 2010 were up 16% compared to 2009, according to figures released today by the Film Distributors Association (FDA).

Between January and March this year, the UK box office took $448.3m (£291.1m), compared with $386m (£250.80m) in 2009, despite the fact that box-office receipts in 2009 reached a record high of $1.5bn (£945.7m).

According to the figures, Tim Burton’s 3D Alice in Wonderland has been the most popular new release of 2010 to date, whilst two more 3D films –Clash Of The Titans and How To Train Your Dragon –topped the box office over the Easter Weekend, when 4 million people in the UK attended the cinema.

Speaking after the launch of a one-minute compilation trailer aimed at giving audiences a taste of the forthcoming summer releases, FDA chief executive Mark Batey said that the theatrical sector was “really booming” adding that he was feeling positive about the summer season, despite the impact of the World Cup, which kicks off in June.

The summer line up features eight 3D films, more than any other previous season to date, including Toy Story 3, Shrek Forever After and UK offering Streetdance 3D.

There will also be a strong concentration of adventure films including Iron Man 2, Prince Of Persia, Knight And Day, Robin Hood, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Salt and The A-Team.

“It is not all franchises, which is good. There are new takes on things,” said Batey.

He admitted that the World Cup would have an impact on cinema takings, but also noted that it creates an opportunity for the theatrical sector: “Where there is an England home match on, that is tough for cinemas, but with the digital roll out, it is also an opportunity for cinemas to capitalise on this and screen some of the matches.”

“And more people in the UK love movies than football,” he added.

Batey said that real challenge would come in 2012, when London hosts the Olympics. “When you are the host nation for an event, it can have a real impact and can take cinemas a number of weeks to recover.”

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