SIC code 59131 covers motion picture distribution activities businesses. With 642 active companies, this is a specialised niche within the UK business landscape. It falls under Section J (Information and communication) of the UK SIC 2007 classification system, which is used by Companies House to categorise all registered businesses.
See the full industry analysis on the Motion picture distribution activities industry page.
With a 90% survival rate, this sector shows strong business longevity. Only 1 of 712 companies registered under this code have dissolved, well below the UK average. The average company age is 13.2 years, indicating an established sector with a mix of long-running businesses and newer entrants. The sector is experiencing strong growth, with 37% of active companies formed since 2020 and 33% during the 2010s. This sustained formation rate points to continued demand for motion picture distribution activities services. Geographically, the sector is heavily concentrated: LONDON alone accounts for 51% of all active companies (328 firms). The top three locations — LONDON, HARROW, BIRMINGHAM — represent 55% of the sector.
SIC code 59131 stands for "Motion picture distribution activities" under the UK Standard Industrial Classification (SIC 2007) system. It belongs to Section J — Information and communication. Companies use this code when registering with Companies House to indicate their primary business activity. The code is required for annual confirmation statements and is used by HMRC, ONS, and other government bodies for statistical and regulatory purposes.
There are currently 642 active companies registered under SIC code 59131 in the UK, out of 712 total registrations. This gives a survival rate of 90%, meaning 10% of companies registered under this code have since dissolved. These figures are based on Companies House data and updated regularly.
The top locations for motion picture distribution activities companies (SIC 59131) are: LONDON (328), HARROW (18), BIRMINGHAM (7), MILTON KEYNES (7), GODALMING (6). Geographic concentration can reflect local economic conditions, industry clusters, or proximity to key markets and supply chains.
The sector is growing: 37% of currently active SIC 59131 companies were formed since 2020, and 33% during the 2010s. This sustained formation rate indicates ongoing demand for motion picture distribution activities services in the UK.
Companies classified under SIC 59131 have an average age of 13.2 years. This suggests a balanced sector with both established players and newer entrants. Notable companies include ODEON CINEMAS LIMITED, CINEWORLD CINEMAS LIMITED, WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT UK LIMITED.
Related SIC codes within the same division include: 59112 (Video production activities), 59111 (Motion picture production activities), 59200 (Sound recording and music publishing activities), 59113 (Television programme production activities). Companies may use multiple SIC codes if they operate across several of these related activities. When registering with Companies House, businesses should select the code that best represents their primary activity.
You can search for companies with SIC code 59131 (Motion picture distribution activities) using UVAGATRON's company explorer, which allows filtering by SIC code, location, and company status. Alternatively, Companies House offers a basic search on their website. Our platform adds risk intelligence, director networks, and signals from 50+ government databases to each company record.
Search, filter, and analyse 642 companies classified under this SIC code with AI-powered risk intelligence.
Data sourced from Companies House, HM Land Registry, FCA Register, and 50+ government databases. SIC classification follows the UK Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities 2007 (SIC 2007). Last updated: 2026-04-17.