THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN PART 1 SELLS AN ESTIMATED 3.2 MILLION UNITS IN ITS FIRST WEEKEND OF RELEASE

SANTA MONICA, Calif. and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Summit Entertainment, a LIONSGATE® company, announced today that the home entertainment release of the current installment in the studio's blockbuster TWILIGHT SAGA film franchise, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN – PART 1 sold an estimated 3.2 million DVD and Blu-ray units during its first weekend of release.  DVD sales for the film, which became available at retail this past Saturday night at 12:01 a.m., are approximately 18% ahead of the opening weekend of the third film in the franchise, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE, demonstrating continued demand and vibrancy of the TWILIGHT SAGA.  The film also performed well via digital platforms notching approximately 50,000 Electronic Sell Through transactions, a 47% increase over its predecessor; and approximately 80,000 Video on Demand transactions, a 142% increase over ECLIPSE.

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Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-Chairmen Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger stated, "The incredible fan support for the characters and story that author Stephenie Meyer has created never ceases to impress.  We thank all of the fans for continuing their journey with us beyond the big screen and look forward to bringing you BREAKING DAWN Part 2 later this year."

The home entertainment release plans surrounding THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN – Part 1 continue the franchise's pattern of building community among fans by once again holding midnight opening weekend launch events at retailers including Target and Walmart.  The two nationwide retail chains each offered exclusive versions of the DVD's contents and packaging.  In comparison THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE sold 2.7 million units on DVD and Blu-ray in its first weekend.  The price point per unit for this release was higher than in past installments leading to increased revenue dollars related to the franchise. 

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN – PART 1 has grossed over $700 million worldwide at the box office to date since its theatrical release on November 18, 2011.  The next chapter in THE TWILIGHT SAGA, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN – PART 2 will come to theatres on November 16, 2012. Academy Award® winner Bill Condon directed both the first and second part of the two-part finale starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. The project, based on the fourth novel in author Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series, was written by Melissa Rosenberg with Wyck Godfrey, Karen Rosenfelt and Stephenie Meyer producing. 

About THE TWILIGHT SAGA film series
THE TWILIGHT SAGA film series stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson and tells the story of 17-year-old Bella Swan who moves to the small town of Forks, Washington to live with her father, and becomes drawn to Edward Cullen, a pale, mysterious classmate who seems determined to push her away. But neither can deny the attraction that pulls them together...even when Edward confides that he and his family are vampires.  The action-packed, modern day vampire love story TWILIGHT, the first film in the series, was released in theatres on November 21, 2008 to a blockbuster reception. The second installment of the film franchise, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON was released November 20, 2009 the third installment, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE was released June 30, 2010, and THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN – PART 1 was released on November 18, 2011.

About Summit Entertainment
Summit Entertainment, a LIONSGATE® company, is a worldwide theatrical motion picture development, financing, production and distribution studio. The company handles all aspects of marketing and distribution for both its own internally developed motion pictures as well as acquired pictures. Summit also represents international sales for both its own slate and third party product.

For further information, please contact:
Paul Pflug
Summit Entertainment
323-658-1555
[email protected]

For Lionsgate corporate inquiries, please contact:
Peter D. Wilkes
Lionsgate
310-255-3726
[email protected]

SOURCE LIONSGATE