Cinema sales to slow this year

“The film market enjoyed |the highest growth in five years, driven by a strong line-up of Hollywood blockbusters, a rise in ticket prices and an increase in three-dimensional movies,” James Dhiraputra, managing director of the newly renamed company, said yesterday.
In 2011, the movie market climbed from Bt3.4 billion in 2010 to Bt3.9 billion on 27.4 million admissions, of which 65 per cent was for Hollywood films, up from 59 per cent in 2010, and 31 per cent for Thai films, down from 37 per cent. Foreign-language films stayed steady at 2 per cent.
The average ticket price was up Bt11 to Bt145.
About 80 per cent of Hollywood films shown here are in 3D. Films in the 35mm format are expected to last for three or four years, then all movies will be digital in two or three dimensions.
Columbia Tristar Buena Vista Film (Thailand) achieved Bt492 million in sales last year, or 12 per cent of the market, from the distribution of 23 titles.
The name change to Sony Pictures Releasing Walt Disney Studios (Thailand) follows the joint venture of Sony Pictures and Walt Disney. It has been made in three major markets in Asean – Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.
The company targets Bt1.2 billion in sales this year, the highest in its 15-year history here. About Bt820 million will come from Sony Pictures, which will screen 15 movies locally.
The company will launch nine Hollywood blockbusters this year, seven of them 3D.
They are “Underworld: Awaken-ing”, which was released yesterday, “John Carter” in March, “The Avengers” and “Men in Black III” in May, “The Amazing Spider-Man” in July, “Total Recall” and “Brave” in August, “Resident Evil: Retribution” in September and “Skyfall” in November.