Katzenberg: ‘Monsters’ Disc Release Off to ‘Strong’ Start

27 Oct, 2009 By: Erik Gruenwedel

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The Sept. 29 release of Monsters vs. Aliens on DVD and Blu-ray Disc could not stop DreamWorks Animation from posting a 48% drop in third-quarter net income to $19.6 million from income of $37.4 million during the previous year’s comparable period.

The animation company said Monsters vs. Aliens contributed $33.4 million in revenue to the quarter ended Sept. 30. The film has generated about $380 million in worldwide box office with about 4.6 million discs sold.

The company said disc sales do not include estimated future returns of unsold product, which affect final net sales.

"Monsters vs. Aliens is off to a strong start in its initial home video release, and we continue to see very good performance in home entertainment from our two 2008 titles (Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa and Kung Fu Panda) and our catalog," said Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of DreamWorks Animation.

Indeed, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa contributed $35.4 million in revenue to the quarter, primarily driven by international home entertainment and domestic pay television. Through the end of the third quarter, it had sold 11.3 million combined DVD and Blu-ray Discs worldwide.

Kung Fu Panda, the studio’s 2008 summer release, generated about $21.9 million in revenue, primarily driven by international pay television. Through the end of the quarter, it had tabulated about 16 million DVD and Blu-ray Discs sold worldwide.

DreamWorks Animation’s 2007 releases, Shrek the Third and Bee Movie, delivered $8 million and $3.4 million in revenue to the quarter, respectively, primarily driven by television and home entertainment.

Overall, DreamWorks Animation generated quarterly revenue of $135.4 million, compared to revenue of $151.5 million last year. Library and other titles contributed $26 million in revenue, including $10 million in revenue from Shrek the Musical. The musical will play its final performance on Broadway Jan. 3, 2010.

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