Iraq’s movie theaters under threat as attendance drops dramatically

Iraqi cinema halls, especially in Baghdad, are experiencing a huge decrease in spectator numbers, forcing many theaters to close or turn into stores and shops.

Cinema attendance has decreased as many cinema-goers prefer to watch movies at home, especially with the rapid developments of technology and the emergence of high-quality platforms and applications.

The absence of government support for cinemas also contributed to the closure, with more than 22 halls in Baghdad were completely closed, according to director Basel Shabib.