Yahoo Movies ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ Still on Top of Home Video Charts
Universal Pictures’ “Fifty Shades of Grey” was the top-selling disc for the second consecutive week, again topping both national home video sales charts.
The film, based on the sexually charged novel about a kinky billionaire’s seduction of a young college student, was No. 1 for the week ending May 17 on both the Nielsen VideoScan First Alert chart, which tracks combined Blu-ray Disc and DVD sales, and the dedicated Blu-ray sales chart.
“Fifty Shades” easily outsold second-ranked “Pitch Perfect,” another Universal title, by a margin of more than 7 to 1. “Pitch Perfect,” a 2012 disc release that jumped back up the charts thanks to anticipation over its theatrical sequel, moved into the No. 2 spot on the overall disc chart from No. 7 the prior week.
“Paddington,” a family film from Anchor Bay, slipped to No. 3 its third week in stores, while the next three spots on the overall disc sales chart went to new releases – all box office duds panned by critics.
“Mortdecai,” distributed by Lionsgate, debuted at No. 4. The action comedy earned less than $8 million in theaters despite a cast that includes Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Goldblum and Olivia Munn.
“The Cobbler,” with Adam Sandler, bowed at No. 5. The film, distributed on disc by Image Entertainment, is said to be the biggest flop of Sander’s career, with an opening weekend gross of just $24,000.
And “Blackhat,” from Universal, bowed at No. 6. The action thriller opened with a dismal $4.4 million against a budget of $70 million; Variety reported in February that Legendary Entertainment was forced to take a $90 million writedown due to its poor performance at the box office.
Of the three new releases, “Blackhat” was the biggest Blu-ray seller, with the high-definition format accounting for 49% of total unit sales.
The Blu-ray percentage was significantly lower for “Mortdecai” (27%) and “The Cobbler” (29%).
On Home Media magazine’s rental chart for the week, “Mortdecai” debuted at No. 1, bumping the prior week’s top rental, Sony Pictures’ “The Wedding Ringer,” to No. 2.
Paramount’s “The Gambler” repeated at No. 3, while “The Cobbler” dropped to No. 4 (it was available a week early through Redbox).
Rounding out the top five was a third new release, “Still Alice,” from Sony Pictures, which bowed at No. 10 on the overall disc sales chart.
Thomas K. Arnold is editorial director of Home Media magazine, http://www.homemediamagazine.com.
Top 20 Nielsen VideoScan First Alert chart for the week of 5/17/15:
Fifty Shades of Gray
Pitch Perfect
Paddington
Mortdecai (new)
The Cobbler (new)
Blackhat (new)
Taken 3
Selma
Black or White
Still Alice (new)
The Boy Next Door
Big Hero 6
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
Tracers (new)
The Gambler
Interstellar
The Wedding Ringer
Jurassic Park Collection (new)
Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts (new)
Despicable Me 2
Top 10 Home Media Magazine rental chart for the week of 5/17/15:
Mortdecai (new)
The Wedding Ringer
The Gambler
The Cobbler
Still Alice (new)
Paddington
The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death
Unbroken
Tracers (new)
Wild
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