August 1st, 2012
There were quite a few new releases to reach the Blu-ray sales chart this week, including three in the top five. However, the top two spots were held by holdovers: Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Batman Begins sold 313,000 units / $3.11 million for the week for approximate total sales of 1.8 million units / $23 million. The Dark Knight sold 280,000 units and generating just under $6.00 million for the week and has now sold 7.3 million units sold and generated $116 million in total revenue. It is very likely the best-selling Blu-ray of all time overtaking Avatar, although Avatar did generate more total revenue. (Unfortunately, it started on Blu-ray while the market was small enough that there's uncertainty with early numbers.)
More...
July 31st, 2012
New releases dominated the DVD sales chart taking three of the top five spots and six of the top eleven. This includes a new number one film, The Three Stooges, which sold 378,000 units while generating $7.55 million in opening week revenue. This is a good start compared to its theatrical run, but not a great start. Additionally, it didn't have a strong theatrical run, so this is more damning it with faint praise.
More...
July 17th, 2012
It's broken record time. As is usual for this time of year, it is a slow week on the home market. There are two first run releases coming out, Lockout and The Three Stooges, but neither film was a box office hit. On the other hand, there are a number of catalogue titles (Singin' In the Rain); limited releases (Salmon Fishing in the Yemen); and TV on DVD releases (Sanctuary: The Complete Fourth Season). All three of those releases are contenders for Pick of the Week, but in the end I went with Leverage: Season Four.
More...
April 4th, 2012
The ratings controversy didn't hurt Bully, which topped the per theater chart with an average of $23,294 in five theaters. It is always difficult for a documentary to expand significantly, but this start will certainly help. The overall box office leader, The Hunger Games, was next with an average of $14,153 in more than 4,000 theaters.
More...
March 27th, 2012
There were only two films in the $10,000 club on the per theater chart, but the number one film was massive. The Hunger Games not only took top spot on the overall chart, but it earned an average of $36,871, which was more than double its nearest competitor. Second place went to The Raid: Redemption with an average of $15,270 in 14 theaters. This suggests some potential for expansion, while it should reach at least one major milestone before its theatrical run is done.
More...
March 21st, 2012
The Kid with a Bike took top spot on the per theater chart with an average of $15,311 in three theaters, while Jiro Dreams of Sushi was in a virtual tie with an average of $15,202 in six. Gerhard Richter Painting was next with $13,537 in its lone theater. The overall box office leader, 21 Jump Street, was next with an average of $11,632, while last week's winner, Footnote, was right behind with $11,181.
More...
March 19th, 2012
2012's winning streak finally came to a close, but it was close. Overall the total box office was $111 million, which was 17% lower than last week and more importantly, down 3.6% compared to the same weekend last year. 21 Jump Street did hold up its end of the box office numbers, but since the only other new release in the top ten was Casa di me Padre, is wasn't enough. Year-to-date, 2012 is still ahead of 2011's pace by 16% at $2.16 billion to $1.87 billion. That lead will grow next weekend with the release of The Hunger Games, which could be record-breaking at the box office and is just as strong with critics.
More...
March 18th, 2012
The industry will enjoy another solid weekend at the box office thanks to a healthy debut by 21 Jump Street, which will ride very positive reviews to about $35 million, according to Sony's Sunday estimate. Unfortunately, that probably won't be quite enough to give 2012 another win over 2011 -- somewhat surprisingly, because Limitless topped the chart last year with only $18.9 million, but the five movies that topped $10 million compared to three this year gives last year the edge.
More...
March 16th, 2012
It's not a particularly busy week in terms of total number of limited releases. However, it is a huge week in terms of total theater count, as there are three films opening in hundreds of theaters each. Will any of these films succeed? Jeff, Who Lives at Home has the best shot of the three. Or will any of the much more limited releases find an audience? Of those, The Kid with a Bike has the best shot at finding an audience. Additionally, Intouchables has a sneak peak on Saturday at the Paris Theater in New York City.
More...