The downturn was predicted by industry analysts in late 2015, after hits like Jurassic World, Fast & Furious 7 and Minions helped drive a summer season that lead to the year being a record-breaker at the global box office.
In comparison the global box office this weekend, lead by the video game adaptation Warcraft, is down 44%.
The summer season was kicked off this year by the release of Captain America: Civil War on 6 May.
Bringing 2016’s tally forward a week increases the difference between this year and last to a 22% loss.