It would seem that moviegoers are no longer excited about 3D. Global 3D box office slumped 20% last year and the decrease occurred across all regions, according to MPAA.
3D box office
Last year, MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) said that 3D box office in the US and Canada hit a 8-year low.
MPAA has now published global data for 3D box office. The data shows that moviegoers across the world are putting down the 3D glasses.
- “Global 3D box office was $6.7 billion in 2018, a decrease of 20 percent compared to 2017. The decrease occurred across all regions. The smallest decrease in percentage terms was in the Asia Pacific regions (-14%) where China’s 3D box office the prior year (2017) included the top box office film in Chinese history, and the largest was in the U.S./Canada (-34%) where 3D wide releases decreased 21% over 2017. Global 3D box office was 16 percent of total box office in 2018,” the MPAA report said.
Last year, 3D box office fell below 2014 levels in terms of revenue and hit new lows in terms of share versus 2D. One explanation, according to the MPAA, is that Hollywood is releasing fewer 3D movies.
Does 3D have a future?
In 2016 and 2017, leading TV manufactures started phasing out 3D support in TVs. 3D-capable TVs have now completely vanished from the consumer market. Some studios continue to release 3D Blu-rays in HD resolution but few streaming services support the format.
A few Hollywood directors are trying to elevate the 3D experience by combining it with HFR (High Frame Rate). Director Ang Lee and Paramount are planning to release Gemini Man, starring Will Smith, in 3D/4K/60fps later this year. However, few movie theaters are equipped to screen 3D HFR.
3D in the home is a closed chapter and the development over the last few years cast a dark shadow over 3D cinema. However, it is too early to declare 3D cinema dead. Can new technology revitalize the format? Can James Cameron?
- Source: MPAA
