jeremybirn
02-08-2009, 08:24 PM
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-boxoffice2-2009feb02,0,7465333.story
Recession-weary audiences generated an unprecedented $1.03 billion in revenue in a month that is not known for its big box office. That's an increase of nearly 19% from last January's $867.2 million. And that's not counting popcorn or nachos.
Industry watchers said the unexpectedly strong January, which pushed action film "Taken" to the top this weekend, suggested that movies were benefiting from the economic downturn by providing a relatively cheap escape from the drumbeat of layoffs, bankruptcies and other bad news.
"Going to the movies is the new vacation," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Media by Numbers.
-jeremy
Recession-weary audiences generated an unprecedented $1.03 billion in revenue in a month that is not known for its big box office. That's an increase of nearly 19% from last January's $867.2 million. And that's not counting popcorn or nachos.
Industry watchers said the unexpectedly strong January, which pushed action film "Taken" to the top this weekend, suggested that movies were benefiting from the economic downturn by providing a relatively cheap escape from the drumbeat of layoffs, bankruptcies and other bad news.
"Going to the movies is the new vacation," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Media by Numbers.
-jeremy