Walt Disney Studios’ The Nutcracker and the Four Realms led a trio of newcomers that debuted atop the NPD VideoScan First Alert chart, which tracks combined DVD and Blu-ray Disc unit sales, and the dedicated Blu-ray Disc sales chart the week ended Feb. 2.
The fantasy adventure The Nutcracker, based on the classic ballet and short story, came in at No. 1 on both charts after an underwhelming box office run that brought in $54.9 million at the domestic box office (and $173.8 million worldwide) against a reported budget of $120 million.
No. 2 on the overall sales chart was Lionsgate’s Hunter Killer, which sold 88% as many copies as Nutcracker. The film, about a group of U.S. Navy SEALs who rescue the Russian president from a coup, also underperformed at the box office, earning $15.8 million domestically against a reported budget of $40 million. Hunter Killer was No. 3 on the Blu-ray chart.
Coming in at No. 3 overall and No. 2 on the Blu-ray chart was the direct-to-video animated superhero sequel Reign of the Supermen, from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Based on the DC Comics storyline from the 1990s and a follow-up to last year’s The Death of Superman, Reign was released only in Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray combo packs (no standalone DVD) and sold 51% as many units as Nutcracker.
Two releases from Universal Pictures rounded out the top five on both charts. On the overall chart, No. 4 was Halloween and No. 5 was First Man. Their order was reversed on the Blu-ray chart, with the HD version of the Neil Armstrong biopic topping the horror reboot.
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Only two other new releases cracked the top 20. No. 9 overall (and No. 18 on the Blu-ray chart) was the faith-based drama Indivisible, from Universal Pictures. And BBC’s 11th season of the new “Doctor Who,” the first season featuring a female in the title role, debuted at No. 13 overall and No. 17 on the Blu-ray chart.
Among the week’s other newcomers, Lionsgate’s remake of the horror film Suspiria debuted at No. 46 overall, but as it was released only on Blu-ray it landed at No. 10 on the Blu-ray chart. And the Universal Pictures drama Boy Erased debuted at No. 33 overall and No. 25 on the Blu-ray chart. Sony Pictures’ The Wife, starring Glenn Close, debuted at No. 40 overall.
Also of note, Disney re-released the 1988 fantasy Willow on Blu-ray and DVD, having obtained the rights to the film through its purchase of Lucasfilm. Disney also released the film digitally for the first time. While the disc content appears to be the same as the 25th anniversary editions released by 20th Century Fox in 2013, the new Blu-ray contains a digital copy. As such, the re-release landed at No. 30 overall and No. 7 on the Blu-ray chart, with 92% of its sales coming via the HD format.
Blu-ray Disc accounted for 72% of total unit sales of The Nutcracker, with 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray comprising 8%. For Hunter Killer, Blu-ray contributed 57% and UHD 12%. The 4K UHD Blu-ray made up 11% of Reign of the Supermen sales.
On the Media Play News rental chart for the week ended Feb. 3, Hunter Killer took the top spot, pushing First Man to No. 2.
Universal’s Night School held steady at No. 3, while Halloween slipped to No. 4 and Sony Pictures’ Goosebumps 2 dipped to No. 5.
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Top 20 Rentals for Week Ended 2-3-19
Top 20 Selling Blu-ray Discs for Week Ended 2-2-19
Top 20 Blu-ray Market Share for Week Ended 2-2-19
Sales Report for Week Ended 2-2-19
Digital Sales Snapshot for Week Ended 2-4-19