Back to the Future

Once upon a time, box office receipts served as a marketing platform for the upcoming DVD release. If a movie performed poorly at the box office, producers and executives could still count on DVD sales to recoup their investments and make money. The recession, as well as a saturated DVD marketplace and the prevalence of internet streaming, has caused the film business to rethink that strategy.

Over the last year, the Box-Office has seen double-digit increases in audience attendance. DVD sales are down dramatically over the same time period. Studio execs that have come to rely on DVD sales, now have to depend on the performance of theatrical releases.

On a positive note, the audience will benefit from fewer releases and an emphasis on quality.