The Long Wait for Winter Blockbusters on DVD

As “G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra” is released today on DVD, some fans may be wondering why a movie released in August is getting an earlier DVD release date than the more popular blockbusters from May to July.

It’s a common scenario for Summer blockbusters, which probably have the longest DVD wait among movies released during the year.The answer, more or less, is money. Why come out on DVD in September when the movie can come out during the Christmas shopping season?

Even though it’s a little odd that “Angels & Demons” would be on anyone’s Christmas shopping list, given the somewhat anti-religion aspect of the film, it usually makes sense for studios to release movies when people are likely going to shop for friends and family.

But it can be a tricky situation for shoppers who are looking to get a friend a DVD for Christmas. Though some people may not be out in stores Tuesday searching the racks for that new release like I am (depending on the movie), it’s a big risk to think that a friend won’t decide to get “Star Trek ” before Christmas finally comes a month after its release.

 And it seems as though, summer blockbusters are coming out a little earlier than usual this year. “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” was already released back in September, while “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” and “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” saw an October release date.

But as long as there’s that little chance of an extra profit, even for movies that fell beneath box office expectations (I’m looking at you “Terminator: Salvation”), then you’ll likely be in for a long wait for those summer blockbusters every year.

Date：2009-12-3　【Return】