NZ box office reaps record returns

  • 21/01/2016
(iStock)
(iStock)

New Zealand's motion picture industry is booming - with 2015's total Gross Box Office of $193 million breaking a revenue record for the second consecutive year.

The Gross Box Office climbed 5.5 percent on 2014's unprecedented haul of $183 million, as last year's blockbuster films took returns to another level.

The year's takings were helped by huge interest in blockbusters, with Star Wars: The Force Awakens raking in more than $9 million and Fast & Furious 7 and Jurassic World both recording takes of about $8 million.

Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron and Despicable Me spin-off film Minions rounded out the top five with revenues of more than $6 million, with latest James Bond instalment Spectre, Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2, Inside Out, Pitch Perfect 2'and The Martian each reaping hefty returns.

Motion Picture Distributors' Association (MPDA) chairman Andrew Cornwell said the release of so many highly anticipated films contributed greatly to the record totals at the box office last year.

"2015 was the year of the blockbuster with eagerly anticipated titles such as Star Wars, Fast & Furious, Jurassic World, Avengers, Minions, Spectre and Hunger Games all more than living up to audience and industry expectations", he said.

"We are very pleased to see an increase of $10 million in total revenues from 2015 above 2014, which was in itself a record-breaking year."

Mr Cornwell did urge caution for 2016 however - and stressed pirating remained a major threat to film industry in New Zealand.

"The 2015 action against the enormous pirate site YTS operated from Mt Wellington highlights how close to home the threat to our industry is".

Mr Cornwell says given that the film industry contributes $3.8 billion to the economy, the Government must do more to protect the creative sector and he sees this year's review of copyright laws as a good opportunity to do just that.

"It's crucial that the Government recognises strong copyright laws are needed to ensure the continued vibrancy and growth of the creative sector which contributes so much to New Zealand's economy, in both providing jobs and stimulating culture".

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