The LEGO Movie will be the second major movie to be released on home entertainment platforms 90 days after its theatrical launch, instead of the traditional 120-day gap.
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues was the first US title released on VoD, Blu-ray and DVD in the shorter window after the major chains agreed to lift the 120-day holdback for a limited number of films from the major distributors.
Distributors are keen to see some flexibility in release windows, especially for children’s and family films that can take advantage of the demand for home entertaimment fare during school holidays.
They contend that reducing the window by one month for those titles will have no impact on box-office revenues and will enable them to recoup p&a spending more quickly. The exceptions to the 120-day holdback are some alternate content titles.
The LEGO Movie opened in cinemas on April 3 and has grossed $29.4 million. The animated blockbuster will be available on VoD, Blu-ray and DVD on July 3, timed to coincide with school holidays.
The shorter window will also benefit VoD platforms including Dendy Direct, which is due to launch in July, and the in-development Hoyts Stream.
Several Australian films including prison drama Convict, supernatural thriller Foreshadow and teen drama Circle of Lies went to DVD/VoD within weeks of their cinema premieres but they screened at independent cinemas.