Summary
- Borderlands will be released on premium VOD just three weeks after theatrical release
- Film received negative reviews and bombed at the box office
- Early transition to VOD may be a new trend in Hollywood as studios try to maximize profits and reach audiences at home
Borderlands, what was hoped by some fans to be a highly anticipated film adaptation of the popular video game series, is already set to hit premium VOD this Friday, a mere three weeks after its theatrical release.
Directed by Eli Roth and featuring a star-studded cast including Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, and Jack Black, the movie has generated significant buzz among fans and critics alike.
However, the buzz hasn’t been good.
Borderlands bombed big time at the box office with just $25 million worldwide. Its Rotten Tomatoes Score from critics is just 10% and the new Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score, the Popcornmeter, is at 53%. The film also opened to only $8.6 million and saw a big -71.8% week two drop followed by another -80.3% drop in week three.
HOPE YOU LIKE CHAOS!! This Friday, #BorderlandsMovie will be available to buy and watch at home! pic.twitter.com/3SnIZrGuja
— CLAPTRAP (@BorderlandsFilm) August 27, 2024
New Hollywood trend?
The early transition to VOD obviously reflects how bad the flick has performed. Is going to VOD so quickly a new trend in Hollywood? Could be.
Studios want as much bang for their buck, so if no one is going to theaters to watch it, the studios obviously hope people will pay to watch at home.
Premium VOD usually starts around $19.99. The Studios usually get around 80% of the sales compared to only around a 50/50 split with theaters on ticket sales.
What could end up happening is that movies will have shorter runs in theaters and instead will hit VOD a lot sooner.
