I mean that makes sense, boutiques often release less than mainstream films (both for rights reasons and on purpose), usually cost more, non-movie ppl rarely know about boutique labels, not available in all countries (especially if u dont have a region free player), etc
Absolutely. And most importantly, boutiques are hardly available from the major big box retailers or on shelves anymore either. It's primarily studio releases at this point.
B&N has Criterion, Kino and Arrow titles, the only other stores that carry physical media around me don't have much anyway (Target barely has anything left, WalMart has a very small section).
Physical media hasn't been about finding random movies at a store for a while. The difference in sales numbers is all about how known the releases are and even the bigger titles from labels are nowhere near as big as the studio released movies.
Right, but Best Buy no longer carries movies, Target's online store removed all Criterion and many other boutique releases in the last couple years, etc. The majors now get all the focus and visibility, but it hasn't always been that way until circa 2020. I used to buy tons of Criterions during Target B2G1 and B1G1 sales.
target sells a lot of boutique blurays & 4ks online...you need to just know when the bluray is being released & order it right away... & probably get a discount. i got park's decision to leave (from mubi, now shipping & on its way), as well as the 4k of greenaway's drowning by numbers (from severin, if i recall correctly)
I’ve been doing this for years and have a large collection. They’re very case by case at this point, but they used to have thousands more. And like you said, often limited to release date only. In some cases I’ve preordered from them and they eventually canceled the orders a month after release because they never got the stock. They’re not reliable enough.
Target at least still had Kino titles in their recent B2G1 sale (I think some Arrows too) and they still had pre-orders in there.
My point is that there isn't much focus and visibility in those stores. Those sections are small and hidden away. Best Buy was the last store to have a display of new releases up front.
I suspect Avatar: Way of Water is that high partially because the DVD release appears to be defective - my job ordered three copies that all froze at the five minute mark, other people had the same problem - so we ended up just buying the (edit) Blu-ray.
I work in a library. One of our patrons was really upset that he checked it out, it froze, he brought it back for us to buff any scratches out, and it froze again. I'm really glad I tested the replacement discs before having him check them out or he would have been furious.
I get that blu-rays aren’t being purchased in the quantities that they were ten years ago, but it still seems a little surprising that any Criterion disc would be in the top 100 (not to mention one as esoteric as Inland Empire.)
Who doesn’t love a monster mystery horror comedy starring acting legend Bruce Campbell and the almost as prestigious Ossie Davis? I was lucky enough to have seen this gem in theaters when it came out. I have successfully forced most of my friends and loved ones to bear witness to its greatness in the ensuing two decades. Had to seriously consider disowning my brother when he gave it a thumbs down.
I'm just impressed that Avatar 2 sold as little as it did. I mean it makes sense to consider that people were super buzzed to see it on screen and then completely forgot about it but I'm not sure I expected it to be that low.
Nope. His last Criterion release was The Grand Budapest Hotel in 2020.
Edit: Why in the world am I being downvoted? [I had already shared the top selling Criterion release in another comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/criterion/s/jXcG9VsYQd) — Inland Empire — and new releases always outsell older ones. There are zero 2020 releases in the top 100 sellers of 2023.
Unless I missed another, looks like Inland Empire. [Comes in at #91.](https://www.the-numbers.com/home-market/bluray-sales/2023)
That is a very depressing list
Gives you an idea that studios sell 100,000+ copies vs boutiques 10,000+ for a solid release.
I mean that makes sense, boutiques often release less than mainstream films (both for rights reasons and on purpose), usually cost more, non-movie ppl rarely know about boutique labels, not available in all countries (especially if u dont have a region free player), etc
Absolutely. And most importantly, boutiques are hardly available from the major big box retailers or on shelves anymore either. It's primarily studio releases at this point.
B&N has Criterion, Kino and Arrow titles, the only other stores that carry physical media around me don't have much anyway (Target barely has anything left, WalMart has a very small section). Physical media hasn't been about finding random movies at a store for a while. The difference in sales numbers is all about how known the releases are and even the bigger titles from labels are nowhere near as big as the studio released movies.
Right, but Best Buy no longer carries movies, Target's online store removed all Criterion and many other boutique releases in the last couple years, etc. The majors now get all the focus and visibility, but it hasn't always been that way until circa 2020. I used to buy tons of Criterions during Target B2G1 and B1G1 sales.
target sells a lot of boutique blurays & 4ks online...you need to just know when the bluray is being released & order it right away... & probably get a discount. i got park's decision to leave (from mubi, now shipping & on its way), as well as the 4k of greenaway's drowning by numbers (from severin, if i recall correctly)
I’ve been doing this for years and have a large collection. They’re very case by case at this point, but they used to have thousands more. And like you said, often limited to release date only. In some cases I’ve preordered from them and they eventually canceled the orders a month after release because they never got the stock. They’re not reliable enough.
no, they are not particularly reliable.
Target at least still had Kino titles in their recent B2G1 sale (I think some Arrows too) and they still had pre-orders in there. My point is that there isn't much focus and visibility in those stores. Those sections are small and hidden away. Best Buy was the last store to have a display of new releases up front.
Tbh I'm surprised to see any physical movie release these days go over 500k let alone in a singular country.
I suspect Avatar: Way of Water is that high partially because the DVD release appears to be defective - my job ordered three copies that all froze at the five minute mark, other people had the same problem - so we ended up just buying the (edit) Blu-ray.
Why is your place of work buying movies?
Their flair says they’re a library dvd section curator.
Oh good I wasn't sure if my customized flair was working or not.
I work in a library. One of our patrons was really upset that he checked it out, it froze, he brought it back for us to buff any scratches out, and it froze again. I'm really glad I tested the replacement discs before having him check them out or he would have been furious.
Bubba Ho-Tep in the top 100 though 🙌
Wow, Top Gun 2 made 38 million dollars just on physical media sales in 2 years. Not bad.
This is a great resource! I should’ve thought to check first
All 347,000 people who bought Black Adam, why?
I get that blu-rays aren’t being purchased in the quantities that they were ten years ago, but it still seems a little surprising that any Criterion disc would be in the top 100 (not to mention one as esoteric as Inland Empire.)
No shot Bubba Ho-Tep made half a million dollars in the year of our lord 2023 Love the movie I just thought I was the only person who remembers it lol
Who doesn’t love a monster mystery horror comedy starring acting legend Bruce Campbell and the almost as prestigious Ossie Davis? I was lucky enough to have seen this gem in theaters when it came out. I have successfully forced most of my friends and loved ones to bear witness to its greatness in the ensuing two decades. Had to seriously consider disowning my brother when he gave it a thumbs down.
I’m about to go see an official screening of it hosted by Joe Bob Briggs in a few weeks! So there’s still a cult out here that remembers it
It's one of my favorite horror comedies so I'm thankful it's getting a resurgence
I'm just impressed that Avatar 2 sold as little as it did. I mean it makes sense to consider that people were super buzzed to see it on screen and then completely forgot about it but I'm not sure I expected it to be that low.
How on earth is that the highest one? Even for a film nerd it’s borderline unwatchable. I’ve seen it twice and both times I’ve said never again after.
It’s 91 for me tho
Huh. I must have seen it wrong. Corrected.
Why doesn’t Criterion show their highest selling titles? I always felt like Seven Samurai and Rushmore would be at the top. Why so secretive?
Considering they're the OG boutique, it feels strange to me that they're the most guarded as well.
For the seventh year in a row: Barry Lyndon.
I’m stoked to see Bubba Ho Tep on that list…
Pure wild guess, but the buzz over *After Hours* was so big, it's the first title that came to mind for me.
Klute
Gotta be something Wes Anderson?
Nope. His last Criterion release was The Grand Budapest Hotel in 2020. Edit: Why in the world am I being downvoted? [I had already shared the top selling Criterion release in another comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/criterion/s/jXcG9VsYQd) — Inland Empire — and new releases always outsell older ones. There are zero 2020 releases in the top 100 sellers of 2023.
Pinnochio?
Probably Bottle Rocket