“The Interview” had a big pay day at the box office on Christmas, pulling in $1 million on limited release and breaking records for on-demand streaming.
“It will probably go down as the biggest on-demand title in history,” said Jeff Bock, senior box-office analyst for Exhibitor Relations, the New York Post reported Friday.
The film, which Sony originally pulled for release following a cyberattack and threats of violence over the film’s satirical plot — the assassination of Kim Jong-un — was the best seller on both Google Play and YouTube Movies on Christmas day.
Many of the screenings at the 331 theaters showing the flick were sold out, multiple media outlets reported.
The decision to stream the film online the same day as it’s in-theater release could inspire more film companies to do the same.
“It would be theater chains’ worst nightmare. But if people want to watch movies at home on computers of even cellphones, Hollywood is going to have to listen,” Mr. Bock told the Post.
SEE ALSO: Streaming release of Sony’s ‘The Interview’ is a test for the movie industry
But the film certainly would have made a much bigger profit if it had shown in big-name theater chains. Sony also has to give a portion of the earnings to Google and YouTube and the company has lost money due to people gathering at each others homes to watch the movie in groups, spending just $5.99 to rent it.
CNN reported that there were 750,000 illegal downloads of the movie on Friday, but Sony executives were pleased with the overall results.
“The audience reaction was fantastic. The limited release, in under 10 percent of the amount of theaters originally planned, featured numerous sellouts and a first-day gross over $1 million,” said Rory Bruer, president of worldwide distribution for Sony Pictures, the Post reported.
Many of the big box office theater chains refused to show the movie on it’s Christmas day release date after hackers threatened violent attacks. Sony released the film to independent movie theaters willing to show it and secured deals to stream the film online.
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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