Blu-ray Sales: Hungry No More
September 7, 2012
The Hunger Games dominated the Blu-ray Sales Chart during its first full week on the home market. It saw its sales numbers grow a little bit to 1.75 million units / $34.99 million for the week giving it totals of 3.42 million units / $68.32 million. It is already in the top ten best-selling Blu-rays of all time and the best-selling Blu-ray of the year. It likely won't last in first place for long, as The Avengers is coming out soon and should be record-breaking on Blu-ray.
Doctor Seuss' The Lorax remained in second place with 137,000 units / $3.41 million for the week, giving it totals of 2.16 million units / $45.59 million after three weeks of release. This is amazing for a kids' film. The rest of the top five were all new releases; in fact, the rest of the top ten were new releases. However, only two of them were first-run releases. The Dictator opened in third place with 120,000 units / $2.65 million. Its opening week Blu-ray share was 48%, which is fantastic for a comedy. The Pocahontas 2-Movie Collection was next at 102,000 units / $2.35 million, which is fantastic for a catalogue title. Likewise, The Rescuers / The Rescuers Down Under Double-Feature was excellent in fifth place with 90,000 units / $2.07 million.
Jaws was right behind with 79,000 units / $1.58 million. The Aristocats was right behind with 78,000 units / $1.80 million. The only other new first-run release in the top ten was Chimpanzee, which placed eighth with 73,000 units / $1.68 million. Its opening week Blu-ray share was, well, 100%, as it only came out on a Blu-ray combo pack. The Tigger Movie debuted in ninth place with 38,000 units / $865,000, which is lower than I would have liked. But as I said in my review, the Blu-ray was overpriced. Lady and the Tramp 2 - Scamp's Adventure rounded out the top ten with 33,000 units / $781,000. This is actually pretty good for a catalogue release to a Direct-to-DVD sequel. Bernie only managed 16th place with 18,000 units / $273,000. Its opening week Blu-ray share was 28%, which isn't bad for a limited release drama, even if it is weaker than the format as a whole. House, M.D.: Season Eight placed 23rd with just 9,000 units / $357,000. Its opening week Blu-ray share was 15%, which is acceptable for a TV on DVD release.
The overall Blu-ray market was relatively flat compared to last week up just 5% in terms of units and 7% in terms of revenue. This makes sense, as the best new release, The Hunger Games, was technically released last week. Compared to last year, Blu-ray sales were outstanding. Simply stunning. Blu-rays sold 565% more units and generated 532% more revenue. Granted, this week last year was one of the weakest weeks for the entire year, so this comparison is somewhat misleading. DVD sales were also flat compared to last week down 7% in terms of units and 1% in terms of revenue. DVD saw amazing growth compared to last year, up 214% in terms of units and 225% in terms of revenue. Anyone who has been saying physical medium in the home market is dead might want to rethink that position. The overall Blu-ray share grew a little to 42% in terms of units and 45% in terms of revenue, which is impressive given the number of TV on DVD releases in the top ten on the DVD sales chart this week.
The new releases for next week are not nearly as strong as this week with Battleship likely leading the way. It missed expectations at the box office, so I don't expect it to be a major hit on the home market. On the other hand, last year's best-selling new release was Sons of Anarchy: Season Three. Rio remained the best-selling Blu-ray, despite being in release for five weeks. This week last year was the slowest weekend on Blu-ray for the entire year.
Filed under: Video Sales, Pocahontas, The Rescuers, The Rescuers Down Under, The Tigger Movie, Lady and the Tramp 2 Scamp’s Adventure, The Aristocats, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, Bernie, The Hunger Games, The Dictator, Chimpanzee, Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World