Global box-office revenue from 3-D movie screens soared to $6.1 billion in 2010, more than double the $2.5 billion generated in 2009, according to a new IHS Screen Digest Cinema Intelligence report from information and analysis provider IHS (NYSE: IHS).
Of the global 3-D total last year, international territories accounted for $3.9 billion or 63.9 percent of the market, up from 53.8 percent in 2009. The rest of the 3-D movie market, or 36.1 percent, is represented by North America, including the United States and Canada. The United States was the world’s single biggest 3-D market with $2.0 billion in box-office revenue, taking in the largest share at 32.8 percent, down from 42.3 percent in 2009. Overall, global 3-D screens represented 19.3 percent of world box-office receipts in 2010, up from 8.6 percent in 2009.
International 3-D box office revenue surged by nearly a factor of three, up from just $1.4 billion in 2009, driven by a corresponding hike in investment of digital 3-D technology by key international exhibitors, in tandem with the influx in new 3-D movie releases.
“This run of exceptional growth in international markets has been instrumental in achieving a current worldwide total in excess of 30,000 3-D screens at June 2011, more than double the number at the same point last year. And at least one in four of the world’s screens is now 3-D-capable,” said Charlotte Jones, senior analyst for cinema at IHS. “But despite impressive 3-D screen growth internationally, the global market still is dominated by U.S. releases, which accounted for more than 90 percent of revenue from international 3-D screens.”
Notable International 3-D Markets
Within the international 3-D market, Japan recorded the largest volume from 3-D-only screens and was second-biggest overall after the United States, with gross receipts reaching $471.0 million, IHS estimates indicate. The top 3-D titles in Japan included “Avatar,” “Alice in Wonderland” and “Toy Story 3,” as well as local release “Umizaru 3: The Last Message,” which made the country’s Top 5 by year-end.
The United Kingdom was the strongest 3-D market in Europe and third-largest overall, with $427.6 million. France was fourth globally with $364.7 million, followed by Russia at fifth with $336.5 million. Rounding out the 3-D Top 10 last year, in descending order, were China, Germany, Australia, Italy and Canada, as shown in the table below.
In Latin America, Brazil was the largest 3-D market, just ahead of Mexico. However, 3-D had higher penetration in two other territories—Colombia with 35.6 percent, also the world’s highest rate; and Argentina with 26.0 percent. In contrast, Norway had the lowest 3-D box-office ratio with 15.8 percent, followed closely by Turkey with 15.9 percent. For the United States, 3-D represented one-fifth of the total U.S. box office.
The highest premium markups for 3-D tickets in terms of percentage were to be found in China and Mexico, but Mexico had the lowest average ticket prices for 3-D films.
Of the 25 territories profiled in the report, Slovenia had the smallest 3-D market, valued in 2010 at $3.5 million.
Learn more about this topic with the IHS Screen Digest Cinema Intelligence Service report entitled: “Global 3-D Box Office Doubles.”
About iSuppli
iSuppli’s market intelligence helps technology companies achieve market leadership. Catch the latest media & advertising industry trends from all across the world straight from our immensely experienced analysts. The Media portal at iSuppli provides deeper insights into granular sector analysis of traditional and new media content, distribution and technology strategies for filmed entertainment, TV, broadband, video game and digital media markets. iSuppli provides comprehensive media market research that is rigorous, reliable & relevant. To know more, send us an e-mail on info@isuppli.com or contact us on +1.310.524.4007.
