Aug 31 2010 10:18 AM ET

Summer movie profits up, butts in movie seats down

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According to a new report from the Associated Press, Hollywood raked in record revenue — $4.35 billion in domestic receipts, up $100 million from last year — from the summer movie season. On the flip side, actual attendance was down. (Just ask the studios behind underperformers like Sex & the City 2, The Prince of Persia, and Marmaduke.) The rise in ticket prices, led by the surge of 3-D offerings, accounts for the increased coin in studio coffers.

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  • Shamrock

    This has been one of the worse summer movie seasons in recent history.

    • H

      Amen.

  • Timothy

    The summer slate of movies were weak this year….Last year had more hits and the qaulity of films were much better. Night at the museum, The Hangover, The Propsal, Wolverine, Up, Harry Potter, Transformers,Star Trek, Ice Age, GI Joe, District 9, Inglorious Bastards, Angels and Demons, G-Force, Terminator…..All these werre 100+mill grossers.

    • Kat

      I agree. I’ve only seen 1 movie since April – Inception. Normally I’m at the movies every week during the summer.

    • Felicia

      I’m sorry but Transformers, Wolverine and Night at the Museum were higher quality? Personally, I like Sorceror’s Apprentice and Prince of Persia; they weren’t great movies but they were entertaining and arguably, just as “quality” as some of the movies you mentioned.

      • Timothy

        @Felicia- Im saying all the movies from last year were good qaulity but last year had more hits and more qaulity films. Also, I’m just speaking of summer films. Yes, this summer has had some good films but not as many as last year. The films this summer didnt create a lot of excitement like last year.

  • Aside from poor quality, 3D prices are outrageous and not many people can see a lot of movies at that range.

  • Tarc

    It was an odd movie season, with few decent movies, few blockbusters, and some surprise minor hits that never really had a chance to build up a real head of steam. Alice and Dragons were so awesome, and in good 3D but so early, it kind of nipped the lesser, poorly made films that came after. And please, Hollywood, STOP ‘converting’ movies to 3D: it NEVER works. If they aren’t filmed in 3D after being designed for 3D, they will never get my cash because they look awful. And honestly, who wasn’t mad about $14 for a 3D movie, when you’re forced to by a new pair of 3D glasses each time. I bought one pair (and they were nice and sturdy), so why can’t I reuse it. Beyond the obvious and unpalatable grab for cash here, it’s horribly wasteful. It put me off going to the theater by June.

    • Turbo

      You do know that Alice in Wonderland was converted to 3D right?

    • Jennifer

      at least ur able to keep the glasses. where i live (texas), at the end of the movie, we have to give em back so the movie theatre can re-use them.

      • LD

        We are supposed to in New Mexico too. But if I pay the extra four bucks or whatever, those glasses are mine! I’ve got quite a little useless collection going.

    • jpratm

      u dont get charge for the glasses you get charged for the ” projection”

  • MSR

    I would have to agree. The only films I went to this summer I went to were Iron Man 2, Inception, and Salt. I went to a few summer releases once they hit the cheap theater, but it was a pretty lackluster summer. At least we have Harry Potter to look forward to this fall!

  • The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

    You’re welcome.

    • Stacie

      lol

  • Bob

    The movies were unbelievably awful, and there is absolutely nothing advertised I would pay $10 to see.

  • DramainMotown

    Stupid 3D movies. Only movie I saw in the theaters this summer was Eat, Pray, Love. Most other times, I wait until it’s on DVD and get it on Redbox. Can spend way less, be in my PJs, avoid the annoying people who feel the need to text on their distracting glowing phones during the movie, and even have a glass of wine. Besides, when I do go to movies I hit a matinee that costs less than $10

  • justin

    This report is horribly wrong. I have no idea where they got this information but this was one of the worse summer movie seasons on record. How does someone screw the easiest stat in the world up.

  • JPX

    At $10.50 a ticket, $6.50 for popcorn, and $4.50 for a soda you won’t find my butt in a theater seat, at least not in the evening. The way around the increased price for 3D tickets? Do what I did; the next time you see a 3D movie keep your glasses, then just pay the regular price for a movie, sneak into the 3D movie and use your glasses, works like a charm.

    • RyRyNYC

      HaHaHa… that’s what I did this summer! A friend pointed out how to work around the logistics, and it was the best thing I ever did. Although, to be honest, I’m over 3-D… this summer had poor offerings.

  • Kagerou

    haven’t been to movies at all this summer. nothing I wanted to see that badly

  • jolacla

    The horrible “3D” movie prices are bad for sure but just the normal 2D ticket prices are way too high as well. The price in my area has gone up $3 dollars in the last 6-7 years. Its ridiculous.

  • boocat

    The majority of Hollywood product is either bad remakes or bad sequels. Now they are redoing “Arthur” with Russell Brand and whoever. They’ll probably butcher that too. The last movie I saw was “Crazy Heart” with Jeff (he’s so hot) Bridges. A small independent film with great actors and a good story.

  • Mike in Moncton

    Worldwide ‘The Prince of Persia’ made $330 million. North American box office is not the be-all, end-all of the movie business.

  • Ap

    Loved TS3

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