The Passion Sets Record and Causes Ripple Effect in Genre
September 09 2004 - 6:57PM
PR Newswire (US)
The Passion Sets Record and Causes Ripple Effect in Genre PORTLAND,
Ore., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mel Gibson's The Passion of
The Christ, which streeted on 8/31, grossed more than $8.4 million
in combined DVD and VHS rental revenue setting an all-time record
for first week revenue in the religious film genre. The video
turned more than 2.4 million units, took both the #1 spots on
Rentrak's weekly Top 10 DVD and VHS charts, and was the #1 drama
overall for the week ending 9/5/04. The film, which depicts the
final 12 hours in the life of Jesus Christ, also caused a ripple
effect in the genre -- as the Labor Day weekend turned into a
holiday of religious edification for many U.S. video consumers who
flocked to rent such classics as Jesus of Nazareth (1977) and Ben
Hur (1959) -- with activity levels rising on several religious
titles from the prior week-ending 8/25. Percent Increase in
Consumer Activity Levels from 8/25 - 9/5/04 Title Studio % Increase
BEN HUR (1959) MGM 160.2% JESUS OF NAZARETH (1977) LIVE 107.3%
GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD (1965) MGM 33.1% PAUL THE APOSTLE (2004)
GOODTIMES 29.4% LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST (1989) UNIVERSAL 27.6%
MARY, MOTHER OF JESUS (2000) ARTISAN 12.8% Top 10 Renting Videos
(Combined DVD/VHS) for the Week Ending 9/5/04 This Last Wks Wk Wk
Title Studio Out 1 NEW The Passion Of The Christ FOX 1 2 NEW
Twisted PAR 1 3 1 Taking Lives WAR 3 4 2 Girl Next Door FOX 2 5 3
Godsend LNG 3 6 4 Laws Of Attraction NLH 2 7 5 Hidalgo TOU 5 8 6
Johnson Family Vacation FOX 4 9 7 13 Going On 30 COL 5 10 9 The
Prince & Me PAR 4 Top 10 rental charts are based on preliminary
data. Ranking are subject to change upon receipt of additional
data. Up-to-date information on video and videogame rentals are
available on Home Video Essentials. Home Video Essentials is a
product of Rentrak Corporation. For more information, contact Brad
Hackley, 1-866-333-6214, or . DATASOURCE: Rentrak Corporation
CONTACT: Brad Hackley of Rentrak Corporation, +1-866-333-6214, or
Web site: http://www.rentrak.com/
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