LOS ANGELES – February 11, 2015 – “Fifty Shades of Grey” doesn’t open until Thursday night, but it is pacing to become one of Fandango’s top five advance ticket-sellers in the company’s 15-year history, joining the elite domain of the “Harry Potter,” “Hunger Games” and “Twilight” franchise movies, which currently dominate the list.
Fandango’s top five pre-sellers, at the same point in their sales cycles (two days before release date), are:
1. “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” (2009)
2. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2” (2011)
3. “The Hunger Games” (2012)
4. “Fifty Shades of Grey” (2015)
5. “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1” (2011)
“The worldwide phenomenon that is ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ is resulting in more buzz for an adult-skewing film than I’ve seen in many years,” says Fandango Chief Correspondent Dave Karger. “It’s enticing fans who are looking for an exciting girls’ night out, as well as a date night for Valentine’s weekend.”
“Fifty Shades” is also on track to break more Fandango ticket sales records as the company’s:
Top seller among all films released during Valentine’s Day, beating, respectively, “Valentine’s Day” (2010), “Safe Haven” (2013), “About Last Night” (2014) and “The Vow” (2012);
#1 February pre-seller, topping “The Lego Movie” (2014);
Biggest R-rated ticket-seller in the company’s history.
“Fifty Shades” also tops Fandango’s Fanticipation movie buzz indicator, scoring an astounding 98 out of 100 points for its opening weekend, while “Kingsman: The Secret Service” is reaping an action-packed 80 points.
According to a survey of more than 1,000 “Fifty Shades” moviegoers on Fandango:
85% are already looking forward to the film adaptations of E L James’ other books;
79% have read at least one of the novels;
78% are excited that “Fifty Shades” was directed by a woman (Sam Taylor-Johnson);
· 72% indicate the movie will be part of their Valentine’s celebration plans;
· 40% will see the film with a significant other or a date; 33% will see it with a group of friends;
· Among the 33% who said they will see it with a group, 88% are making it part of a girls’ night out.
Fandango is reporting hundreds of sold-out “Fifty Shades” showtimes across the country, while theater owners are continually adding new screens and posting new showtimes on Fandango to meet the fan demand.
About Fandango’s Fanticipation
Known for having its finger on the pulse of moviegoers, Fandango’s movie buzz indicator, Fanticipation, provides statistical insight into the movies fans are planning to see in a given weekend. Fanticipation scores (based on a 1 to 100-point scale) are calculated via an algorithm of Fandango’s advance ticket sales, website and mobile traffic, and social media engagement. Fanticipation is not intended as a forecast of the weekend box office; it is a snapshot of movie fan sentiment.
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