Sony Pictures said "The Interview" has earned more than $15 million (9.64 million pounds) in online sales and another $2.8 million in theatres Kids Jason Pominville Jersey , an impressive return made possible by the publicity surrounding the cyberattack blamed on North Korea.
The raunchy comedy that depicts the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made almost as much money through online distribution and in limited theatres in its opening weekend as it would have in a wide release that was shelved after threats from hackers.
The studio said on Sunday the film had been purchased or rented online more than 2 million times on the four days through Saturday, making it Sony Pictures' No. 1 online movie of all time.
"That is a huge number," said Jeff Bock, a box office analyst at Exhibitor Relations.
"This is almost what it was going to do theatrically before it was pulled. It made about what people expected Kids Jack Eichel Jersey , but in a completely different way."
The film that triggered the devastating cyberattack on the studio last month, which the United States says was launched by North Korea, opened Thursday in 331 independent theatres with a $1 million box office and $1.8 million over the subsequent three days, according to Sony. Many filmgoers and theatre owners said they supported the film in the name of free speech.
The $44 million film starring Seth Rogen and James Franco had been expected to gross at least $20 million in its opening holiday weekend if it had gone to wide release Womens Jason Pominville Jersey , according to Boxoffice.
After large movie theatre chains, like AMC and Regal Entertainment, refused to screen the comedy following threats of violence from hackers who opposed the film, Sony stitched together a limited release in theatres and a $5.99 video-on-demand (VOD) rental and $14.99 purchase option on YouTube Movies Womens Jack Eichel Jersey , Google Play, Microsoft Xbox Video and a dedicated site starting Dec. 24.
Sony had been fiercely criticized by top Hollywood talent and President