Blu-ray Sales, May 18-24: American Sniper Debuts at Number One

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Blu-ray Sales, May 18-24: American Sniper Debuts at Number One

Posted May 28, 2015 11:02 PM by Josh Katz

For the week that ended on May 24th, Warner Home Entertainment's American Sniper debuted at number one on the Blu-ray-only and overall package-media charts. Director Clint Eastwood's intense war drama - an exploration of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle's experiences as a sniper in the Iraq War - ranks as one of the iconic filmmaker's most successful pictures. The controversial feature (the film currently has a 72% score on Metacritic, and that number reflects some of the divisive critical attitudes) was one of 2014's highest grossing films in the United States, earning just under $350 million domestically on top of its $58-million budget. This week, American Sniper had a Blu-ray market share of 44%.

Next up on the Blu-ray-only and overall package-media charts was Universal Studios Home Entertainment's Fifty Shades of Grey again took the top spot on the Blu-ray and overall package-media lists. This adaptation of E.L. James' bestselling erotic novel netted Universal a healthy profit despite unspectacular critical notices (a Metacritic score of 46%); Fifty Shades of Grey grossed over $569 million worldwide on top of a $40-million budget. On the Blu-ray-only ranking, Fifty Shades of Grey sold 15% as many Blu-rays as American Sniper and had a higher HD market share of 50%. On the overall package-media chart, Fifty Shades of Grey sold 13% as many total units as the Bradley Cooper-starring feature.

Finally, the Weinstein Company's Paddington rounded out the top three spots on the Blu-ray-only and overall package-media lists. Director Paul King's take on author Michael Bond's beloved literary character was a modest theatrical success last January. The film earned $258 million worldwide on top of an estimated $55-million budget, and it also enjoyed a decent critical reception (its Metacritic score stands at 77%). On both the Blu-ray-only and overall package-media rankings, Paddington sold only 3% as many units as American Sniper and had an HD market share of 36%.

Top Ten Blu-ray Sellers for Week Ending 05/24/15:
  1. American Sniper
  2. Fifty Shades of Grey
  3. Paddington
  4. Hot Tub Time Machine 2
  5. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
  6. Interstellar
  7. Taken 3
  8. Big Hero 6
  9. Pitch Perfect
  10. Mad Max
Top Five Home Media Sellers for Week Ending 05/24/15 (% of Blu-ray's Market Share Noted):
  1. American Sniper (44%)
  2. Fifty Shades of Grey (50%)
  3. Paddington (36%)
  4. Hot Tub Time Machine 2 (41%)
  5. Pitch Perfect (21%)
Top Five Blu-ray 3D Sellers for Week Ending 05/24/15 (Per % of Total Unit Sales):
  1. Guardians of the Galaxy 3D (21%)
  2. Captain America: The Winter Soldier 3D (10%)
  3. Jurassic Park 3D (6%)
  4. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies 3D (5%)
  5. Penguins of Madagascar 3D (3%)