“Fast X” gets fast early PVOD release and easily wins the race
Universal executives last week released a statement about how profitable the early availability of PVOD has been for the studio (over $1 billion in retail revenue, most of it returned to them). Then, on Friday, they released a statement hinting at how accepted the practice has become.
“Fast X,” with an investment of approximately $500 million in production and marketing costs, became available on home platforms for $19.99 to rent ($24.99 to purchase). It’s been 22 days since its theatrical debut and it grossed $67 million in its opening weekend.
Wait there — wasn’t that the oft-repeated understanding that any Universal film that opened over $50 million had at least a 31-day window? This was widely reported when the studio reached an understanding with major exhibitors in 2020 (which included the latter having some revenue share).
This has been consistently the least case over the past three years. And recently “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” an even bigger grossing film, had a 41-day window, 10 days longer than normal.
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Neither Universal nor expository sources would comment on this. But the lack of any outcry suggests that the studio had convinced theaters that this move would have little impact on the remaining ‘Fast X’ game. It fell 46 percent this weekend, about the expected range, to #6 and $5.2 million.
At a disappointing (compared to cost) $653 million worldwide, close to what it’ll end up with, the film is in desperate need of additional revenue. This is the easiest way to get it.
There is no indication that the longer “SMB” window and it have any relationship. But he suggests that both Universal and the best theaters accept the flexibility of common sense. It is healthy for all parties.
“Are you there, God? It’s Me Margaret” (Lionsgate) lasted up to six weekends. It was rewarded with a mediocre performance, only reaching two charts (No. 7 on Vudu, No. 10 on iTunes). Compare that to “Nefarious” (Soli Deo), also $19.99. The latter, a small faith-based horror film, grossed $5 million in theaters and received little mainstream media attention. July Blume’s adaptation received strong reviews and significant coverage, grossing a meager $20 million. The additional PVOD focus will add some revenue to cover the cost (production and advertising combined perhaps $20 million), but that doesn’t appear to be enough.
“SMB” was in second place on Vudu, iTunes and Google Play, with “John Wick: Chapter 4” (Lionsgate) in third or fourth place. “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (Sony) was #3 iTunes, No. 4 on Google Play (its $3.99 rental price makes it bad for Vudu revenue counting). “The Pope’s Exorcist” (Sony), with a reduced price of $5.99, also made all three rankings.
The best non-horror indie performance once again came from ‘BlackBerry’ (IFC), which opened after three weekends. It is currently number 6 on iTunes.
Netflix is different this weekend. Not so much because of the entries in the charts (mostly the same as last week, rearranged—the animation “Boss Baby” is #1), but because there isn’t a single of their original films listed. On average, most weeks have at least three, often at the top of the chart. Often they are international original languages and also different from English.
But not this week. Part of this seems to be the lack of anything new of note (itself unusual – a sign of production cuts or the delay of some titles teasing a future delay due to the WGA strike?). That will change when “Extraction 2” debuts this Friday. The sequel to their Chris Hemsworth-starring action film, which had around 100 million views in its first month, should initially be an easy No. 1.
The biggest change was that “To Leslie,” nominated for Best Actress, which briefly peaked at No. 1, quickly fell off the chart in its second week.
iTunes and Google Play rank movies each day based on the number of transactions. These are the lists for Monday 12 June. The distributors listed are the current rights holders. Prices for all titles are per rental.
iTunes
1. Fast X (Universal) – $19.99
2. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Universal) – $24.99
3. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (Sony) – $3.99
4. John Wick: Chapter 4 (Lionsgate) – $19.99
5. The Covenant (MGM) – $19.99
6.Blackberries (IFC) – $6.99
7. The Pope’s Exorcist (Sony) – $5.99
8. Operation Fortuna: Russian War (Lionsgate) – $0.99
9. Dungeons & Dragon: Honor Among Thieves (Paramount) – $5.99
10. Are you there, God? It’s me, Margaret (Lionsgate) – $19.99
Google Play
1. Fast X (Universal) – $19.99
2. The Super Mario Bros Movie (Universal) – $24.99
3. John Wick: Chapter 4 (Lionsgate) – $19.99
4. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (Sony) – $3.99
5. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (Paramount) – $19.99
6.65 (Sony) – $5.99
7. Nefarious (Soli Deo) – $19.99
8. The Covenant (MGM) – $19.99
9. Rise of the Evil Dead (WBD) – $19.99
10. The pope’s exorcist (Sony) – $5.99
Voodoo
Vudu ranks based on revenue, not transactions, elevating premium VOD titles. This list covers June 5-11
1. Fast X (Universal) – $19.99
2. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Universal) – $24.99
3. John Wick: Chapter 4 (Lionsgate) – $19.99
4.65 (Sony) – $5.99
5. Nefarious (Soli Deo) – $19.98
6. The Rise of the Evil Dead (WBD) – $19.99
7. Are you there, God? It’s me, Margaret (Lionsgate) – $19.99
8. Creed III (MGM) – $5.99
9. The pope’s exorcist (Sony) – $5.99
10. Hypnotic (Ketchup) – $19.99
Netflix movies
Most Viewed, current ranking on Netflix’s daily chart on Monday, June 12. Originals include both Netflix-produced and acquired titles it initially presents in the United States. Netflix releases its weekly top 10 list on Tuesdays by watch time.
1. Baby boss (2017 theatrical release)
2. We are the Millers (2013 theatrical release)
3. The Angry Birds movie (2016 theatrical release)
4. Zookeeper (2011 theatrical release)
5. Forever my girlfriend (2018 theatrical release)
6. Choice (2013 theatrical release)
7. Mean girls (2004 theatrical release)
8. The Kingdom (2007 theatrical release)
9. Funny people (2009 theatrical release)
10. Missing (2023 theatrical release)