PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES to hit $1 Billion mark Saturday

 

I have been tracking Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides since it arrived in theatres on May 20th. It has only been six weeks, but On Stranger Tides is about to hit the $1 Billion dollar mark world wide.

Through Wednesday, June 29, the pic’s global cume was $992.9 million.

Only seven films in history have crossed the $1 billion milestone; On Stranger Tides will become No. 8.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest also is a member of the billion club, having earned $1.1 billion worldwide. On Stranger Tides has done massive business at the international box office, where it’s grossed $761.9 million to date. Domestically, it’s cumed $231 million.

Like the excerpt says, On Stranger Tides will join an elite group of films. There are a lot of people who believe that 3D movies are a dying trend in Hollywood and it seems that less and less people are willing to pay to see the "extra dimension". Those people might be angry to find that studios will continue to use the effect for some time. The reason behind this is that international markets are becoming obsessed with 3D.

A lot of this can be attributed to Avatar, as this was the first big movie to use 3D and caused a lot of cinemas overseas to purchase the necessary equipment to project the spectacle in three dimensions. Many countries are just now buying into the concept, and those that have had it for a while are seeing large increases in 3D ticket sales this year.China has had a 60% increase in 3D sales, while Hong Kong has seen a 20% increase with 2% fewer admissions. According to 3dtvwatcher.com, Japan had its highest box office figures ever, due to a loyal following of 3D films released.

My point is that people in the United States may be starting to get fed up with the 3D gimmick, but studios are trying to make a profit, and will continue with the global trend that allows them to do so.

The fourth installment of the Pirates franchise is directed by Rob Marshall and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. It stars Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Ian McShane and Geoffrey Rush.