Analysis
NAICS 512131 is the 2022 national industry for motion picture theaters (except drive-ins), part of 51213 (Motion Picture and Video Exhibition). Census lists 9 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 4,057 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 121,566 people at an average annual payroll of $18,596 per employee (1st percentile of national industries). 15% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which points to larger operations.
By establishments it ranks 1st of the 2 codes at this level within Motion Picture and Video Exhibition, with 93.3% of them.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include cinemas, film festivals exhibitors, motion picture exhibition and motion picture exhibitors for airlines, among 9 in all.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 8% and employment fell 17%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
Official definition
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating motion picture theaters (except drive-ins) and/or exhibiting motion pictures or videos at film festivals, and so forth.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Index entries (9)
- Cinemas
- Film festivals exhibitors
- Motion picture exhibition
- Motion picture exhibitors for airlines
- Motion picture exhibitors, itinerant
- Motion picture theaters, indoor
- Movie theaters (except drive-in)
- Theaters, motion picture (except drive-in)
- Theaters, motion picture, indoor