Blu-ray Sales: Moneyball Earns Greenbacks on Blu-ray

January 25, 2012

Like it was on the DVD sales chart, there were three new releases to top the Blu-ray sales chart, although they finished in a slightly different order. Moneyball still led the way with 467,000 units / $9.74 million giving it an opening week Blu-ray share of 44%, which is excellent for a drama. The Killer Elite finished second on Blu-ray, one place higher than its DVD debut, with 242,000 units / $4.85 million. Its opening week Blu-ray share was 53%. This is better than average for the format, and it is even strong for an action film. Boardwalk Empire: Season One opened in second place in terms of dollars with $4.92 million, but third in terms of units with 141,000. TV on DVD releases tend to struggle on high definition, but this film earned an opening week Blu-ray share of 38%, which is better than a lot of theatrical releases earn. Rise of the Planet of the Apes returned to the top five in fourth place with 124,000 units / $2.55 million for the week and totals of 1.79 million / $38.30 million after five. The Hangover II fell to fifth place with 111,000 units / $1.57 million for the week. After six weeks of release, the film has sold 1.87 million units and generated $30.97 million in sales.

The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption opened in ninth place, one place higher than it did on DVD, and it was stronger than expected on DVD. It sold 61,000 units generating $1.29 million in sales for an opening week Blu-ray share of 37%. That's about average for the format. Normally visual effects laden films perform better than average, but this was also a Direct-to-DVD release, which tends to hurt the Blu-ray share. What's Your Number? just missed the top ten with 57,000 units / $1.11 million. Its opening week Blu-ray share was 29%, which is actually really good for the genre.

The overall Blu-ray market bounced back this week thanks to several stronger than expected new releases. Compared to last week, it soared 34% in terms of units and 45% in terms of dollars. Compared to last year it was up 64% in terms of units and 73% in terms of dollars. Surprisingly, DVD sales also did well compared to last week and last year, albeit not as well as Blu-ray did. The overall Blu-ray share hit 37% in terms of units and 42% in terms of dollars, which is significantly better than last year.

Next week we will likely see Blu-ray slip significantly, as the biggest release is Ides of March, a political drama. It's just not the type of film that does well on high definition. Last year, Takers led the way on DVD and Blu-ray. Normally I would be cautious, but with the success of the new releases this week, I think Blu-ray should be fine next week.


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Filed under: Video Sales, The Hangover Part II, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, What's Your Number?, Moneyball, Killer Elite, The Ides of March, Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption