DVD Sales - No Escape for Competition
February 23, 2009
There were a huge number of new releases this week, and they occupied the top four spots on this week's sales chart. The new number one was Madagascar 2 - Escape to Africa, which was released later in the week than the rest of the releases. Over the weekend it sold 1.68 million units and $27.10 million, plus an additional 89,000 units and $2.76 million from the two-pack.
Second place went to Space Buddies with 939,000 units and $14.07 million in sales. The Secret Life of Bees earned $7.76 million in sales from 446,000 units sold while Zack and Miri Make a Porno was right behind with 419,000 units and $7.12 million in sales. Fireproof fell from second to with 265,000 units / $4.92 million over the week for totals of 814,000 units / $13.93 million after two.
The best of the rest of the new releases was Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, which placed seventh with 219,000 units sold generating $3.72 million. Compared to its production budget, this was a strong start, however, compared to its theatrical run, I was hoping for more. The final new release of the week was Oliver & Company, which was right behind with 198,000 units sold and $4.94 million in sales.
It was another mixed week on the Blu-ray charts. Overall sales showed a little growth up 6% to $11.0 million, but that was down to 7.1% of total home market sales and 7% of the top 20 comparison. On the other hand, it does represent a 61% increase from the same weekend last year, and looking at the selection of Blu-ray releases, it's actually a strong performance. There was not a single first run release that was a prime genre for Blu-ray sales (action, thriller, etc.) and only one such film in the top ten. The best Blu-ray seller was Madagascar, which sold an estimated 150,000 units, and this time last year kids movies were selling a fraction of that. Other new releases to hit the top five on Blu-ray include Zack and Miri Make a Porno at just under 100,000 units and Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist at roughly 40,000 units. This time last year, 150,000 units would have been worthy of celebration. Now it is just average.
Filed under: Video Sales, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, The Secret Life of Bees, Fireproof, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, Zack and Miri Make a Porno