Avatar Blu-Ray Sets Record For First-Day Sales
Does the Blu-Ray-buying public at large care at all about special features? Record-breaking first-day sales forJames Cameron’sAvatarwould indicate that no, they don’t. Despite the fact that the recent release ofAvatarcontains no special features to speak of, the disc has destroyed the previous record-holder for first-day Blu-Ray sales:The Dark Knight.
According toThe Hollywood Reporter, theAvatarBlu-Ray disc has already sold a staggering 1.5 million in its first day of release alone. For comparison,The Dark Knightsold600,000 Blu-Ray copieson its first day. On average, retailers have sold out 60% of their Blu-Ray inventory already, and the movie looks on track to become the top-selling title of the year.
Fox is hoping thatAvatarwill eventually surpassThe Twilight Saga: New Moonas this year’s best-selling disc so far. To date,New Moonhas sold 6.5 million copies on DVD and Blu-Ray. I wish them success in this endeavor just because on principle, I don’t think thatAvatarshould lose any battles toThe Twilight Saga.
Fox plans to release a special edition ofAvatarin November (“We could not have had the special material we wanted to have but will have it for the special edition,” saidAvatarproducer Landau), while a 3D version will be available in 2011. At this point, selling a 3D version would probably be self-defeating, as most people don’t yet have 3D-equipped Blu-Ray players or televisions yet. But will enough people have them by early 2011, when the disc comes out, to make the release a success? I’m doubtful, but what do you guys think?
As for me, I’ll be skipping this release, although unlikeAdam, I might end up checking it out on home video some day…
