April 25, 2010

In case anyone doubted 'Avatar' would prove to be a hit on DVD and Blu-Ray...

...this record breaking evidence from the Los Angeles Times proves it without a shadow of a doubt:

James Cameron didn't need 3-D to break this record.

Just four days after debuting on store shelves, "Avatar" has sold 2.7 million Blu-ray discs to consumers in the U.S. and Canada, according to 20th Century Fox -- more Blu-rays than any previous movie has sold. The previous record holder, "The Dark Knight," has sold 2.5 million Blu-rays since its debut 16 months ago.

Fox also sold 4 million standard definition DVDs. The combined total makes "Avatar" the biggest DVD launch of the year, breaking a previous mark of 4 million Blu-ray and DVDs combined set by "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" on its first weekend in March.

"Avatar" also debuted Thursday in France, where it sold a combined 400,000 units on DVD and Blu-ray, the biggest-ever launch in the country. It is at the top of the charts in Germany as well, although specific sales figures weren't immediately available. It goes on sale in Great Britain on Monday.

The huge debut for "Avatar" on home video dispels concerns that consumers wouldn't want to see it on a 2-D home television after most watched it in theaters in 3-D. Eighty-three percent of "Avatar's" $746.4-million domestic gross has come from theaters with 3-D screens. More than 70% of its $1.975-billion international gross has come from 3-D.

The news comes as Fox recently signed deals with kiosk renter Redbox and DVD-by-mail firm Netflix that keep "Avatar" and all of the studio's future releases off the services until 28 days after they go on sale.

"Avatar" provides a much needed shot in the arm to Hollywood's home entertainment business, which saw its revenue fall 8% in the first three months of the year and 5% last year.

-I had no doubt it would be popular on home video, but this is impressive...thoughts?

9 comments:

  1. I declined to pick it up on DVD or Blu-Ray this week (I'll wait till it's cheaper and get it on Blu-Ray), but it certainly appears that lots of people took the plunge...

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  2. That is fantastic and cements this film as the biggest (for now and probably a long time to come). Comes out 29th in Australia - will be getting mine! Can't wait to revisit!

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  3. Although slightly off topic, is the picture you posted official for this post? I only ask since it says "Director's Cut" and since the Blu-Ray that's on sale right now is different than the one in the pic...

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  4. It's an image from the special edition coming out in November. I picked it just to be different. Apologies for the potential confusion...

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  5. There is something goofy going on with the picture of the special edition...the commentary says it is with director Alex Proyas and Screenwriter Akiva Goldsman (which I believe was the team behind I, Robot).

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  6. Just goes to show the dangers of going with google images...sorry.

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  7. No problem, although I'd be more than happy if that was what it actually looks like...

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