Transformers DVD rocks DVD chart with '07 record

By Thomas K. Arnold

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "Transformers" rocketed to the top of the latest national DVD sales and rental charts crushing all competitors, according to data issued Wednesday.

The summer theatrical blockbuster, which grossed $316.5 million in North American theaters, topped the Nielsen VideoScan First Alert sales chart by a long shot in the week ending October 21, with sales pegged by Paramount-DreamWorks at 8.3 million units -- a 2007 record.

"Transformers" also found itself in high rental demand its first week out, debuting at No. 1 on Home Media Magazine's rental chart with estimated rental revenue of nearly $10 million.

Robert Rodriguez' "Planet Terror," the second half of the commercially disappointing "Grindhouse" double feature he did with Quentin Tarantino, debuted at No. 2 on the sales chart and No. 5 on the rental chart, with estimated earnings of $5.8 million. Tarantino's "Death Proof" last month debuted at No. 2 on the sales chart, and at No. 4 on the rental chart with estimated earnings of $2.9 million.

"Surf's Up," the previous week's top seller and renter, slipped to No. 3 on both charts, generating an additional $5.9 million in rental revenue to bring its two-week total to $14 million, or nearly 24% of its box office gross of $58.9 million.

On the rental chart, "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" held steady at No. 2 in its third week, generating an additional $6 million to bring its total take to $22.7 million.

On the high-definition disc front, "Transformers" was the No. 1 HD DVD seller for the week, while on the Blu-ray Disc charts the first two "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies returned to the two top spots five months after their initial release. "Transformers" is only available in HD DVD.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter