The release of Avatar in December was the culmination of a record year in the 3D movie world.
Eleven 3D movies were released last year – a 275% increase from 2008. More impressively, 2009 US 3D movie revenue, at almost $2 billion, was nearly seven times 2008 revenue (source: www.the-numbers.com). Avatar contributed over $700 million of revenue alone. In addition to making at killing at the box office, it stands to sweep the Academy Awards, with 9 Oscar nominations. But Avatar and its distributor 20th Century Fox aren’t the only winners in the 3D movie world.
Some of the largest beneficiaries of the 3D movie boom have been 3D technology companies. Shipments of 3D glasses into the United States have risen with the wave of 3D releases. The Panjiva team searched through the shipments of 3D glasses to the United States and found one supplier – San Technology (Santec) – sending shipments of 3D glasses into the U.S. This company’s shipments track along with the gross revenue generated by 3D movies in the U.S.
Specifically, Santec’s shipment weight in 2009 was 3.5 times the company’s shipment weight in 2008.
With the tremendous success of Avatar and more 3D movies planned for 2010, it is likely Santec and other 3D technology manufacturers will continue to benefit.
