‘Margin Call’ Bows Cheaper on VOD Than in Theaters

21 Oct, 2011 By: Erik Gruenwedel

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Roadside Attractions’ thriller features stellar cast and bows Oct. 21 in select theaters and on VOD — the latter more than 37% cheaper

New release Margin Call (Roadside Attractions) bows Oct. 21 in select theaters with tickets costing at least 37% more than the movie’s availability on cable, satellite TV and online video-on-demand channels.

While recent major studio release Tower Heist (Universal Pictures) generated a maelstrom of press and condemnation from theater operators when the studio said it would put the action comedy in the premium VOD window (later rescinded) 21 days after its slated Nov. 4 theatrical bow, same-day theatrical/VOD releases of select indie films apparently get a pass.

Margin Call stars Zachary Quinto (Star Trek) as an 2008 investment firm analyst who uncovers information that could tank the firm and the livelihood of his co-workers.

The film, which also stars Kevin Spacey, Demi Moore, Jeremy Irons, Stanley Tucci and Paul Bettany, is available on Blockbuster On Demand for $6.99 — a fee similar to VOD platforms offered by Dish Network, Comcast, Time Warner, Vudu, Sony Playstation, Verizon, Amazon and DirecTV, among others.

By comparison, tickets to Margin Call in Orange County, Calif., cost $11 for adults at Laemmle’s Playhouse 7 and 5 in Los Angeles and Pasadena, respectively; and $10 at Regency Theaters in Santa Ana and Laguna Niguel.

A typical new release on transactional VOD the same day as DVD/Blu-ray typically costs as much as $5.99 on street date. Margin Call is distributed by Lionsgate and will also be released on DVD/Blu-ray Disc later this year.

Separately, crime thriller Trespass released theatrically Oct. 14 from Millennium Entertainment, has generated just $16,816 at the box office since its Oct. 14 theatrical bow, according to Box Office Mojo. It was offered the same day on transactional VOD across multiple platforms.

The movie will be released Nov. 1 on DVD (with Digital Copy) for $28.99.
 

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