The Hangover Breaks Comedy Sales Record

Warner Brothers has announced that The Hangover has become the top selling comedy movie of all-time on DVD and Blu-ray. There have been 8.6 million DVDs and 1.5 million Blu-ray copies purchased since its release on December 15th. Most sales occur during the first week of release and as such WB is estimating a six month estimate of 9.5 million DVDs. Only Twilight sold more DVDs in 2009.

Ironically this news comes just days after the first in a line of announcements likely to come (between WB and Netflix) leading to the creation of a DVD sales only period before rentals become available. Hollywood believes that rentals are cutting into sales when there is more evidence that it is quality of the movies. The good movies sell well as evidenced by The Hangover. Produce quality films that people want to buy and they will, but no one is going to buy crappy movies just to avoid waiting to rent them.