3D cinema under pressure
April 26, 2018
By Chris Forrester
On the one hand digital cinema is now a global delivery phenomenon. Some 99 per cent of all screens in the US are digital, and a significant percentage of ‘International’ screens are digitally delivering movies. The only exception is the Asia-Pacific region where there are still some 2480 analogue screens, according to data from the Motion Picture Association of America.
Revenues globally were up 5 per cent to a new record high of $40.6 billion, although US revenue was 2 per cent down at $11.1 billion, the same level as 2016.
However, digital 3D has hit an eight-year revenue ‘low’ according to analysis from Display Daily (DD). In 2017, 3D films made $1.3 billion, a revenue share of 12 per cent, down from $2.2 billion and 21 per cent share in 2010. The number of films made in 3D also dropped year-on-year in 2017, from 66 to 44. The number of 3D screens grew by 1 per cent in the US and Canada and 4 per cent in EMEA and overall, globally, 3D got to 59 per cent, says DD.
“The report says that 3D still has its place in movie theatres. Last year, seven of the top 10 highest-grossing films and 18 of the top 25 were released in 3D. The report states that the format is still popular in Asia, where the ratio of 3D to non-3D screens is now 81 per cent, compared to 39 per cent in the US and Canada, and 3D also takes a decent share of ticket sales. However, in terms of home entertainment, the MPAA says that 3D is dead. Of course, most TV manufacturers phased 3D out of their product lines altogether over the last two years,” adds DD.
Other posts by Nick Snow: