In one of the exceptional events in the Iranian cinema in the year 1388 (March 21, 2009 – March 20, 2010), box office receipts for 12 films exceeded $1,000,000, while the record sale of the film “The Expelled II” ushered in a new era in the exhibition field in the country. It should also be noted that many films are still waiting to go on the screen, and many of the screened films had box office receipts of less than $50,000. A total of 58 films went on the screen during the year.
The number of the screening halls and the conditions for film screenings have always had close relationships with one another in the country, and many people attribute the high box office receipts of films in the past year to three factors, namely, the creation of movie screening complexes, the fact that the complexes are scattered in various parts of the capital city, and finally the support of the City Cinema Institute in providing sufficient numbers of film prints.
According to statistics published by City Cinema there are now 212 operating cinemas with a total capacity of 131044 seats. There are also 6 semi-operative cinemas with 3200 seats. Ticket prices range from 17000 to 30000 rials.
The beginning of the year 1388 was the busiest period for the cinemas. The screening of “The Expelled II” started during the New Year holidays with extensive promotional programs. After a screening period of 79 days in the capital city the film earned $38,000,000 in Tehran and $47,000,000 in the province, thus achieving a total sale of $85,000,000.
A sequel to “The Expelled”, the film presents a humorous account of the captivity of a number of the Iranian combatants by the Iraqis during the Iran-Iraq war.
“Two Sisters” directed by Mohammad Banki received $1,350,000 after running for 90 days at 22 cinemas in Tehran, and $ 1,275,000 in the provinces, a total of $2,625,000. Banki cast the popular star Mohammad Reza Golzar in the film which tells the story of a man who has relations with two sisters and finally his schemes are discovered by the two women.
Qodratollah Solh Mirzai’s “The Sweet Life” ran for 62 days and had box office receipts of $880,000 in Tehran and $1,275,000 in the provinces, a total box office receipt of $2,625,000. As in his films of the past few years Mirzai cast Javad Razavian in the main role to tell the story of a singer whose twin brother’s arrival in Iran creates problems for him.  
“About Elly” by Asghar Farhadi was originally scheduled to be screened during the New Year holidays. But a number of unexpected circumstances postponed its screening until two months later and some people believe that is why the film could not earn more than $2,000,000.
After a run of 99 days “About Elly” received $1,200,000 at Tehran box offices, with an additional receipt of $800,000.  Farhadi’s acclaimed film recounts the story of an eventful trip of a few friends to the northern part of the country.
After 78 days of screening in 25 theaters “Tehrani Boy” by Kazem Rastgoftar received $950,000 in Tehran and $900,000 in the provinces thus achieving a total sale of $1,850,000.
The film plot relates the story of Soroush who has just returned home from the U.S. His father wants him to get married, but Soroush, who has five failed romantic experiences, does not comply.
“The fighting Cock” directed by Masoud Atebbai is another film with over a million dollar sale. The film earned $920,000 in Tehran after a run of 95 days in 21 cinemas, and $850,000 in the provinces, a total of $1,780,000.
Atebbai cast Merila Zarei and Reza Attaran in the roles of a couple who decide to trade places with one another, and as a result both of them face a variety of adventures.
“Bee Sting” by Hamid Reza Salahmand was on the public screens for 72 days in 25 halls and recouped $950,000 in Tehran and $800,000 in the provinces, a total of $1,750,000.
The film depicts the relations of two friends from two different social strata who get along very well. However, new circumstances usher in anew new phase in their friendship.
The box office receipt of over $1,000,000 in the Iranian cinema has been recorded for a film by Tahmineh Milani. “Ceasefire” was the first Iranian film which had a box office receipt of over $1,000,000. Milani had a new film “Superstar” on the public screens during the New Year holidays, and after running for 79 days in 25 cinemas her film earned $900,000 in Tehran and $700,000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $1,600,000.
With the well-known actor Shahab Hosseini in the main role, the film focuses on a movie star who life takes a new turn when a teenager girl enters his life.
“Penniless”, the second feature by Hamid Nematollah after running for 79 days in 25 cinemas the film earned $800,000 in Tehran and $750,000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $1,550,000. With Leyla Hatami and Bahram Radan in the principal roles, the comedy film recounts the adventures of a young couple who are driven to destitution at the beginning of their life.
“The Book of Law”, the first banned film that received screening license under the new cultural management, recouped $950,000 in Tehran and $450,000 in the provinces, a total of $1,500,000. Directed by Maziar Miri, the film presents a critical view of piety of some people. It is the story of a Christian woman who embraces Islam and marries an Iranian man.

After 72 days of screening in 22 theaters “Trial in the Street”, the latest picture by Masoud Kimiai, received $600,000 in Tehran and $400,000 in the provinces thus achieving a total sale of $1,000,000. The figure represents the highest sale for a Kimiai film in recent years. As with many other films, “Trial in the Street” is in praise of friendship and tells the story of a young man who finds out about the act of betrayal by his fiancée just hours before their scheduled marriage.
“Wedding Rings” by Shahin Babapour after a screening period of 47 days at 19 cinemas in the capital city earned $550,000 in Tehran and $240,000  in the provinces. The film recounts the story of a young man who works in a large company. Certain events in the company endanger his professional position and his family life.
The million dollar sales ends with the above 12 films; and none of the other screened films reached that figure.
The comedy film “Checkmate” directed by Jamshid Heidar  received $530,000 after running for 46 days at 21 cinemas in Tehran, and $ 980,000 in the provinces, a total of $980,000. The film tells the story of a young man called Behrouz who fails in all of his efforts and finally attempts suicide. But he is saved and this is the beginning of a new life for him.
“Mr. Chameleon” by Shahram Shah-Hosseini did not achieve the multimillion dollar sale its producers had counted on, and only received $390,000 after running for 49 days at 23 cinemas in Tehran, and $375,000 in the provinces, a total of $765,000. The film tells the story of a man who breaks into a house with the intention of stealing, and accidentally finds out about the second marriage of one of the local officials.
“Millionaire Girl” directed by Akbar Khamin ran for 54 days in 14 cinemas and sold only  $385,000 in Tehran, and $ 250,000 in the provinces, a total of $635,000.
“Bleeding Heart’ by Mohammad Reza Rahmani after running for 46 days in 16 cinemas earned $300,000 in Tehran and $290,000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $590,000. “Bleeding Heart’ synopsis: Emad is awaiting execution for the murder of his wife. With the arrival of the attorney and his unexpected proposal the story takes a new turn.
Rasoul Sadr-Ameli’s “Loneliness Every Night” had similar box office receipts. After running for 48 days in 10 cinemas the film earned $400,000 in Tehran and $190,000 in the provinces. The film tells the story of a couple’s trip to Mashad and is part of Sadr-Ameli’s trilogy on pilgrimage to the shrine of Imam Reza (A.S.)
“The Postman Does Not Ring Three Times” by Hassan Fat’hi received $800,000 after running for 45 days at 20 cinemas in Tehran, and $180,000 in the provinces, a total of $580,000. The film depicts a macabre atmosphere of three historical periods and deals with the relationship among people in those periods.
“The Wink” directed by Jahangir Jahangiri after running for 39 days at 21 cinemas earned $300,000 in Tehran, and $250,000 in the provinces, a total of $550,000. The film tells the story of Hasti (Afsaneh Bayegan) a rich woman who has been separated from her husband because of family problems and faces a hazardous course in her new life.
 “When We Are All Asleep” directed by Baharm Beizai was screened during the New Year holidays and received $330,000 after running for 80 days at 18 cinemas in Tehran, and $170,000 in the provinces, a total of $500,000. The film takes a film-within-film form, as in several other of his scripts and reveals problems in the private lives of filmmakers by focusing on the life of one of the main actors.
“Twenty”, Abdolreza Kahani’s third feature film, which was also on the public screens during the New Year holidays, was in fact the first film by the young director to have had public release. After running for 61 days in 17 cinemas the film earned $260,000 in Tehran and $150,000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $410,000.  With a large cast, the film depicts the efforts of workers in a restaurant who have only 20 days to prevent its closure.

“It Is a Moonlit Night”  by Mohammad Hadi Karimi earned $250,000 in Tehran and $170,000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $420,000 after running for 61 days in 17 cinemas. Featuring Mahnaz Afshar, the film tells the story of a young woman whose husband is afflicted with cancer and has little time to live and takes a trip to his homeland to review his past life.
“Don’t Step on the Ground”  by Iraj Qaderi earned $135,000 in Tehran and $150,000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $285,000 after running for 42 days in 14 cinemas. The film tells the story of a man in an enviable financial position whose life takes a new turn after an unexpected incident.
“The Sanctuary”  by Reza Khatibi ran for 38 days in 14 halls and earned $170,000 in Tehran and $100,000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $270,000. The film, classified as a horror picture, features the well-known actor Hamid Farrokhnezhad and is set in a village haunted by ghosts that apparently intend to save the rural heritage.
“Hesitation” is Varuzh Karim-Masihi’s second feature after a hiatus of 20 years. The film ran for 55 days in 13 halls and earned $225,000 in Tehran and $40,000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $265,000. Karim-Masihi has based the film the Shakespeare play “Hamlet”.
“The Familiar Soil”  by Bahman Farmanara, which had aroused a lot of controversy, finally went on the public screen after several scenes had been cut out from it. The film ran for 46 days in 8 halls and earned $150,000 in Tehran and $30,000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $180,000. Farmanara’s film tells the life of a writer who leads a secluded life.
“By Night”, the joint work of Keyvan Alimohammadi and Omid Bonakdar, had been waiting to go on screens since 2005, and because it was presenting the famous star Hedyeh Tehran after a long time it just managed to earn, after running for 26 days in 21 cinemas, $100,000 in Tehran and $70,000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $170,000. “By Night” is the story of several friends during a party and the events that take shape in the minds of the characters of the film.
“The Hut”  by Javad Afshar earned a total sale of $120,000 in Tehran and the provinces. Afshar’s film tells the story of several friends who take a trip to the northern part of the country and depicts the events they face during their trip.
 “Dexterous” by Mohammad Ali Sajjadi  ran for 28 days in 20  halls and earned $65,000 in Tehran and $45,000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $110,000. The film, which managed to go on the screens after being banned for a long time, recounts the story of a young man who faces new circumstances in his life after his mother’s ghost returns to his life.
“The Orange Taxi” by Ebrahim Vahidzadeh, after running for 28 days in 19 cinemas,  earned $75,000 in Tehran and $35,000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $110,000. The film features Azita Hajian in the role of a woman taxi driver, working in the Kish Island.
“Whatever You Like” by Mohammad Motavasellani ran for 49 days in 14  cinemas and earned $70,000 in Tehran and $35,000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $105,000.

“Leyla’s Dream”, another film that found the chance of going on the screens after a long time, ran for 23 days in 15 halls and earned $70,000 in Tehran and $30,000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $100,000. Classified as a horror film, “Leyla’s Dream” features Leyla Zareh and recounts the encounter of a girl with an imaginary being.
“Fox Hunt” by Majid Javanmard ran for 23 days in 10  cinemas and earned $45,000 in Tehran and $50,000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $95,000.

Farzad Motamen’s “The Sounds”, which aroused some controversy during its screening, ran for 27 days in 4  cinemas and earned $65,000 in Tehran and $25,000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $90,000. The film focuses on a murder which occurs in a three-storey building and involves each of the inhabitants in various ways.
“-18” ran for 23 days in 8  cinemas and earned $40,000 in Tehran and $50000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $90,000.

“The Bodyguard” by Mohammad Javad Kasesaz earned a total sale of $25,000 in Tehran and $40,000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $65,000 after running for 10 days in 11 cinemas.

“The Fifth Rider” by Saeed Motallebi went on the screens after having been banned for thirty years. It earned $20,000 in Tehran and $40000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $60,000.
“We Only Live Twice” by Behnam Behzadi, which had a chance of being screened after two or three years, ran for 36 days in 6  cinemas and earned $45,000 in Tehran and $15000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $60,000. The film tells the story of a man who tries to settle some accounts before committing suicide and whose life is totally changed when a girl enters his life.
“Internet Adventures” by Hossein Qana’at  earned $30,000 in Tehran and $20,000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $50,000. Featuring Bahareh Rahnama, the film tells the story of the arrival of a teacher in a village in the northern part of the country and his relationships with the students.
“Frenzied” by Mohammad Ali Sajjadi ran for 20 days in 9  cinemas and earned $25,000 in Tehran and $25,000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $50,000.
“Tehran Has No Pomegranate” by Masoud Bakhshi went on the screens only in Tehran and earned $35,000. The screening of the documentary film, which presents a historical review of the capital city in the past hundred years, is an unprecedented event in the country.
“Heiran” by Shalizeh Arefpour ran for 18 days in 2 cinemas and earned $25,000 in Tehran and $10,000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $35,000.
“The Last Queen on the Earth” by Mohammad Reza Arab, which had a chance of being screened after three years, ran for 40 days in 5 cinemas and earned $20,000 in Tehran and $10000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $30,000.
“Face to Face” by Ali Zhekan earned $10,000 in Tehran and $20,000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $30,000. The film presents the double life of a man in two different social positions.
“Testimony for God” by Alireza Amini, ran for 35 days in 6 cinemas and earned $18,000 in Tehran and $12000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $30,000. A railway switchman, who is facing imminent death, returns to his village of birth to make sure no one bears him any grudge, but he faces problem finding his old wife.
 “Mahvash” directed by Mohammad Dormanesh received $22,000 after running for 27 days at 15 cinemas in Tehran, and $8,000 in the provinces, a total of $30,000. The return of an old singer to Iran after the Islamic Revolution and the subsequent changes in the country form the central plot of the film.
“The Penalty” by Ensiyeh Shah-Hosseini  ran for 25 days in 6 cinemas and earned $15,000 in Tehran and $15,000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $30,000. The film recounts the efforts of a group of people who form a football team in order to receive homes from the oil company.
“The Spite II” was among the foreign films to have been screened only in Tehran and earned $27,000.
 “The Poet of the Wastes” by Mohammad Ahmadi ran up to the last day of the year and earned $20,000 in Tehran and $5,000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $25,000.
“Among the Clouds” by Ruhollah Hejazi  earned $13,000 in Tehran and $7,000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $20,000.
“Lilac Blue” by Javad Ardakani  ran for 14 days in 5  cinemas and earned $8,000 in Tehran and $7,000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $15,000.
“The Night of Hurrah” by Shahab Mellatkhah earned $8,000 in Tehran and $7,000 in the provinces, thus achieving a total sale of $15,000.
“The Bright House” by Vahid Musaiyan was screened only in Tehran and earned $12,000.
“The Other Bank of the River” by Abbas Ahmadi Motlaq was screened only in Tehran and earned $3,500.
“The Valley of Ellah” earned $2.500 in Tehran, “Redbreast” by Parviz Sheikh-Tadi earned $1,500 in Tehran and “Guantanamo” sold $400.
Note: Ticket prices in Iran range from 2 to 3 dollars and each dollar is equivalent to 10,000 rials.