3D added more than $1 billion to the record $10.6 billion of North American boxoffice grossed in 2009, according to a report today from the Motion Picture Assn. of America.
The overall record, which represents a whopping 10% increase (about $960 million) from 2008 is clearly entirely attributable to 3D, which accounted for 11% of the overall, or nearly $1.2 billion.
The 11% share came from only 20 movies in 3D, representing just 2% of the total releases. But 20 was more than double the eight 3D movies released in 2008.
Overall ticket sales were up 5.5%, the first increase in two years.
3D also sparked an 86% jump in digital cinema screens, 7,000 of which were added, bringing the worldwide total to 16,000, with digital 3D digital screens tripling to 8989 worldwide and 6% of overall screens, the fastest growth category in that sector.
“Digital technology is the foundation on which 3D has been built,” said Bob Pisano, president and interim John Fithian, president and interim CEO of MPAA. “Together digital presentation and 3D hold the promise of a dramatic game change in moviemaking and movie-going.”
Blobal boxoffice rose 7.6% to a record $29.9 billion.
— By Scott Hettrick