"Twilight" DVD sells 3 million copies in first day

March 24, 2009

The DVD edition of the vampire romance-fantasy film Twilight sold more than 3 million copies on the day of its release, making it one of the top-five bestselling first-day DVD releases in the last two years.

The movie — based on Stephenie Meyer's novel of the same name — was released as a two-disc special edition DVD March 21. The 2008 film earned almost $380 million in worldwide sales during its theatrical run.

Nearly 6,000 stores around the country held midnight events to mark the home release of the film, which Wal-Mart said was the most pre-ordered DVD in the store's history.

Media reports said it was unclear whether Blu-Ray discs were factored into the 3 million amount.

Among the other recent films with best-selling first-day DVD releases were Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, The Dark Knight, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Transformers.

“We are incredibly appreciative that Twilight fans came out to once again support this film at our midnight events across the nation,” Steve Nickerson, president of Twilight studio Summit Home Entertainment, said in a press statement.

“With such successful first-day sales, it is apparent that our fans remain passionate about the Twilight saga and want to own a piece of the Edward and Bella story they have come to love," Nickerson said.