This article is part of a global monthly series on film revenue in different regions. Read about film activity in the Asia-Pacific region here and in Latin America here.

Box offices in the United Kingdom and Italy enjoyed a solid start to 2020 before the coronavirus outbreak closed film theaters across Europe, according to data compiled by S&P Global Market Intelligence and OPUSData.

The U.K. was the highest-grossing country in the region in January and February with US$201.9 million, down 0.1% year over year. The number of film releases rose 17.8% year over year in the first two months of 2020, to 126. Film theaters closed in mid-March as businesses took measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Italy recorded US$128.8 million in the box office revenue in January and February, down 5.1% from the prior-year period. Releases fell 39.1% year over year. Cinemas closed early-March and film production halted until at least April 3.

France was the second-highest-grossing European box office in January and February with US$139.6 million, down 53.6% on the prior-year period.

Europe box office revenues declined 21.9% in the first two months of the year, as every tracked market except Turkey saw year-over-year declines.

The number of film releases in Europe dropped 22.4% year over year in February to a 13-month low.

DreamWorks Animation LLC.'s war epic "1917" topped box offices in the U.K., France, Spain and the Netherlands in the first two months of the year. The film debuted in the U.K., the Netherlands and Spain on Jan. 10, and in other European countries later in January.

Italy's domestic production "Tolo Tolo," by Mediaset SpA's Taodue, retained its box office lead in February.

Similar to other regions, action and adventure was the highest-grossing genre in Europe.