ENTERTAINMENT
CJ CGV Achieves Record Revenue and Profit Growth in 2025, Eyes Further Expansion in 2026
Compared to the previous year, revenue increased by 317.5 billion KRW and operating profit improved by 20.3 billion KRW, continuing its recovery trend. The growth of overseas theater businesses, particularly in Southeast Asia, and the global success of technology-specialized theaters like SCREENX and 4DX, along with record operating profits from CJ OliveNetworks, drove the performance improvement.
CJ 4DPLEX reported a revenue increase of 18.8% year-on-year, reaching 146.4 billion KRW, with an operating profit of 11.3 billion KRW. The success of SCREENX and 4DX specialized content such as 'F1® The Movie', 'Avatar: The Way of Water', and 'Demon Slayer: Mugen Train' contributed to achieving a record global box office of $458 million.
In Vietnam, revenue reached 253.6 billion KRW, with operating profit increasing by 42.2% year-on-year to 37.4 billion KRW. The growth of the local film market contributed to a revenue increase of 46.4 billion KRW, achieving record operating profit and continuing annual growth.
In Indonesia, revenue was 109.3 billion KRW, with an operating profit of 15.9 billion KRW. The expansion of special theaters and enhanced profitability in non-screening sectors such as concessions and advertising led to increased revenue and operating profit.
In China, revenue was 290.1 billion KRW, with an operating profit increase of 27.8 billion KRW year-on-year, reaching 11.7 billion KRW, marking a return to profitability. The success of local and Hollywood content like 'Ne Zha 2' and 'Zootopia 2' attracted more viewers, and efforts to streamline business structures contributed to the results.
In Turkey, revenue was 151.5 billion KRW, with an operating loss of 4 billion KRW. Despite a market contraction due to reduced local content, efforts to optimize operations minimized revenue decline. The success of films like 'Avatar: The Way of Water' and 'Zootopia 2' led to a 5.4 billion KRW increase in operating profit in Q4 compared to the previous year, showing an improvement trend.
Domestically, revenue was 660.4 billion KRW, with an operating loss of 49.5 billion KRW. The slow market recovery due to a lack of hit Korean films was offset by ongoing structural improvements such as site consolidation and cost efficiency, leading to a return to profitability in Q4 and laying the foundation for profitability recovery.
CJ OliveNetworks achieved record operating profit with revenue of 853.2 billion KRW, an increase of 26.3 billion KRW year-on-year, continuing its growth trend. The expansion of next-generation ERP and smart space contributed to overall performance improvement.
CJ CGV anticipates continued revenue growth and profitability enhancement in 2026 through the global expansion of SCREENX and 4DX and the increased demand for AI-based digital transformation by CJ OliveNetworks. The company expects sustained improvement in overall profitability through domestic structural improvements and enhanced profitability in overseas businesses.
CJ 4DPLEX plans to accelerate the global expansion of SCREENX and 4DX theaters, focusing on major markets like the U.S. and Japan, and high-profit screening venues. By securing a lineup of content suitable for technology-specialized theater formats, the company aims to achieve revenue growth and enhance competitiveness through advanced CG/VFX and AI production technologies.
In the domestic market, the recovery of the film industry is anticipated with a lineup of Korean films such as 'Humint', 'Hope', and 'Ode to My Father 2', along with Hollywood blockbusters like 'Odyssey', 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day', and 'Avengers: Doomsday'. The company plans to secure performance improvement momentum through ongoing operational efficiency and structural improvements.
In Vietnam and Indonesia, the focus is on maximizing profits amid the growth of the local film market. Vietnam aims to strengthen its content business functions in line with the expansion of the local film market and enhance competitiveness through the activation of special theaters. Indonesia plans to continue theater differentiation through the expansion of special theaters, membership enhancement, and CGV ONLY content, while maintaining a stable profit structure through the growth of advertising and non-screening sectors.
In China and Turkey, the focus is on structural improvements. China aims to enhance overall profit generation capabilities by maximizing efficiency per theater and pursuing mid- to long-term lease structure improvements and fixed cost efficiency. Turkey plans to maintain stable cash flow-focused operations through rent and labor cost management and site efficiency.
CJ OliveNetworks plans to expand its core business growth centered on next-generation ERP and AI Native projects in line with the acceleration of AX transformation in 2026. In the smart space business area, the company plans to expand major businesses such as AI data centers, VFX studios, and AI logistics/factories step by step, continuing growth and profitability enhancement based on external orders.
CJ CGV CEO Jongmin Jung stated, "2025 was a year of significant overall performance improvement, driven by the global growth of overseas theater businesses and technology-specialized theaters, as well as the achievements of CJ OliveNetworks." He added, "In 2026, we will continue the growth trend by positioning the K-Theater strategy centered on SCREENX and 4DX as a key pillar of long-term growth."
Ryu Yeji, TenAsia Reporter ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr
