Part 7/10:
An additional complicating factor is the decline of physical media sales—DVDs and Blu-rays—which once contributed significantly to a film’s profitability after theatrical runs. Now, with streaming dominating the landscape, studios are less able to count on home media as a secondary revenue stream.
In essence, the theatrical window has become the sole source of profit for most studios. And because that window is risky and unpredictable, studios have become extremely selective about their investments and marketing strategies.
The Reality Check
So, what does all this mean for Superman or any other blockbuster? Simply put:
- Gross revenues need to be enormous to make a profit—often over $800 million worldwide for big-budget movies.