Year-End 2012 Sales For “DC Universe Animated Original Movie” Animated Titles
Debuting three new feature-length titles in 2012, the DC Universe Animated Original Movie direct-to-video line from Warner Home Video moved nearly 1.1 million home video units during the calendar year. The above number comes from the three DC Universe Animated Original Movie titles that debuted this year – Justice League: Doom, Superman Versus The Elite and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part Two – and those numbers are expected to see some growth, though likely slight, during the 2012 holiday season. Note that all numbers listed in this articles are estimated numbers only, based on research and market analysis.
Among the three new DC Universe Animated Original Movie titles, the February 2012 Justice League: Doom animated feature has moved the most units since its release date, predictably so given it’s early in-the-year release date, moving an estimated 615,000 units combined in the DVD and Blu-ray formats since hitting shelves. The title benefited from strong word-of-mouth throughout the year, along with multiple award nominations and recognition for the work of the late Dwayne McDuffie, who penned the feature. The direct-to-video Justice League: Doom animated feature debuted to 265,000 home video units copies sold in its first week of sales, the week ending March 5th, 2012.
The second feature-length DC Universe Animated Original Movie title of the year, released Summer 2012, the direct-to-video Superman Versus The Elite animated feature has moved 206,000 units in both the DVD and Blu-ray format since its debut. The title was easily the lowest profile release in the DC Universe Animated Original Movie line for 2012, barely selling over 130,000 units combined in its first frame, the week ending June 17th, 2012. Criticism of the film’s design work resulted in negative word-of-mouth for the feature, something it was unable to overcome.
Lastly, the final 2012 release under the DC Universe Animated Original Movie banner, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part One has proven to be a solid seller on the home video market. The title moved 210,000 total DVD and Blu-ray units in its first week, and over 260,000 to date. The majority of sales, over 70%, came from the Blu-ray format. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part One is expected to finish out the year with consistent sales thanks to the home video release of the theatrical feature The Dark Knight Rises, as well as the anticipation for the January 2013 release of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part Two.
Please note the above sales numbers do not take into account rental numbers, OnDemand numbers or legal download numbers. Sales numbers are estimates gathered through independent research, market analysis and various home media retailing outlets. Additionally, sale numbers from titles released before the 2012 calendar year are not taken into account. Also remember to take into account release date and character marketability when comparing sales numbers for each title.
Stay tuned for updates on current and upcoming DC Universe Animated Original Movie titles here at The Worlds Finest, including exclusive content and more. More details on the entire DC Universe Animated Original Movie line can be found here at The World’s Finest special dedicated subsite. Please click on the links below to discuss the assorted releases covered in this article.
–Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part One Feature Talkback (Spoilers)
–Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part One Blu-ray/DVD Talkback (Spoilers)
–Superman Versus The Elite Feature Talkback (Spoilers)
–Superman Versus The Elite Blu-ray/DVD Talkback (Spoilers)
–Justice League: Doom Feature Talkback (Spoilers)
–Justice League: Doom Blu-ray/DVD Talkback (Spoilers)
Note: Thanks to everyone for a great year here at The World’s Finest! Thanks to everyone who took the time to visit this site in 2012, and hopefully will continue to do so in 2013. Happy New Year!
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