Global box-office revenue from 3D movie screens soared to $6.1 billion in 2010, more than double the $2.5 billion generated in 2009. Of the global 3D total last year, international territories accounted for $3.9 billion or 63.9% of the market, up from 53.8% in 2009. The rest of the 3D movie market, or 36.1%, is accounted for by the US and Canada. 3D represented one-fifth of the total US box office. These figures come from IHS Screen Digest’s latest report.

The United States was the world’s single biggest 3D market with $2 billion in box-office revenue, taking in the largest share at 32.8%, down from 42.3% in 2009. Overall, global 3D screens represented 19.3% of world box-office receipts in 2010, up from 8.6% in 2009.

International 3D box office revenue surged by nearly a factor of three, up from just $1.4 billion in 2009, driven by a corresponding hike in investment of digital 3D technology by key international exhibitors, in tandem with the influx in new 3D movie releases.

“This run of exceptional growth in international markets has been instrumental in achieving a current worldwide total in excess of 30,000 3D screens at June 2011, more than double the number at the same point last year. And at least one in four of the world’s screens is now 3D-capable,” said Charlotte Jones, senior analyst for cinema at IHS. “But despite impressive 3D screen growth internationally, the global market still is dominated by US releases, which accounted for more than 90% of revenue from international 3D screens.”

Within the international 3D market, Japan recorded the largest volume from 3D-only screens and was second-biggest overall after the United States, with gross receipts reaching $471.0 million, IHS estimates indicate. The top 3D titles in Japan included Avatar, Alice in Wonderland and Toy Story 3, as well as local release Umizaru 3: The Last Message, which made the country’s Top 5 by year-end.

The United Kingdom was the strongest 3D market in Europe and third-largest overall, with $427.6 million. France was fourth globally with $364.7 million, followed by Russia at fifth with $336.5 million. Rounding out the 3D Top 10 last year, in descending order, were China, Germany, Australia, Italy and Canada, as shown in the table attached.

In Latin America, Brazil was the largest 3D market, just ahead of Mexico. However, 3D had higher penetration in two other territories - Colombia with 35.6%, also the world’s highest rate; and Argentina with 26%. In contrast, Norway had the lowest 3D box-office ratio with 15.8%, followed closely by Turkey with 15.9%. Of the 25 territories profiled in the report, Slovenia had the smallest 3D market, valued in 2010 at $3.5 million.

The highest premium markups for 3D tickets in terms of percentage were to be found in China and Mexico, but Mexico had the lowest average ticket prices for 3D films.

Story filed 15.08.11