In a clever bit of numbers-spinning, RealD claims that more than 100 million moviegoers have now experienced RealD 3D worldwide and that 24 films have been shown in RealD 3D generating a cumulative gross of “upwards” of $1 billion in box-office from RealD 3D-equipped screens.
And that’s even before the release of “Avatar,” which has its U.S. premiere tomorrow night (Wednesday, Dec. 16) in the first-ever 3D presentation at Grauman’s historic Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, which has been upgraded to RealD 3D using the company’s XL Cinema System. The Dec. 10 world premiere of “Avatar” also featured RealD’s XL Cinema System powering the Odeon Leicester Square in London.
RealD’s run began four years ago with Disney’s “Chicken Little.”
“Reaching the 100 millionth milestone in such a short period of time shows studios, exhibitors and moviegoers around the world have embraced RealD 3D for its premium entertainment experience,” said Michael Lewis, Chairman and CEO of RealD. “With our worldwide footprint tripling this year alone and the packed line-up of films coming out in RealD 3D, we’re excited to continue to build on this revolution in cinema.”
RealD’s worldwide installation base has grown 200% this year to 9,500 screens under contract and 19 of the world’s top 20 exhibitors among its 300 exhibition partners in 48 countries.
This year’s RealD presentations have included Disney’s “A Christmas Carol,” Twentieth Century Fox’s “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs,” DreamWorks Animation’s “Monsters vs. Aliens” and Disney/Pixar’s “Up,” each of which generated more than $100 million on 3D screens.
RealD says its 3D-enabled locations have delivered more than thre times the per-screen box-office grosses and 2.5 times the per-screen attendance of the same film in 2D.
More than 50 films are slated for release on RealD 3D.
– By Scott Hettrick