Why We Want Digital Box Office Numbers (and: Here’s the Top 10 Indies Streaming on Hulu Plus)
There are some exceptions. Radius-TWC released numbers for its recent documentaries; John Sloss’ Cinetic Media and its sister company FilmBuff have also reported VOD numbers and called on other distributors to do the same.
But we want these numbers. And we’ll keep pushing until we have them.
READ MORE: Top 10 Indies in The iTunes Store This Week: ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ Tops The List
Rentrak’s Digital Download Essentials service announces the top 10 digital movie purchases and rentals each week, but the company hasn’t created a separate list for independent films — since most indie distributors won’t release those figures. (Rentrak said they hope to be able to provide such a list in a few months.)
Each Monday, we present you with the most up-to-date list of the top 10
indie movies in the iTunes store, combining rentals and purchases, but without data from Netflix, Amazon and other streaming services (and no hard numbers), the information provides just a glimpse into the VOD business for independent film.
In addition, this week, Hulu Plus provided Indiewire with their list of top 10 independent titles on the streaming service. Given that many of the titles are old, it’s not instructive in terms of the current indie marketplace. However, in the quest for transparency, we’re happy to have as much information as possible.
READ MORE: Will We Finally See VOD Numbers? Radius-TWC Takes A Step in The Right Direction
Check out the list below (with distributor and theatrical release date) and draw your own conclusions:
1. “Two Lovers” (Magnolia, 2009)
2. “Broken” (Film Movement, 2013)
3. “Take This Waltz” (Magnolia, 2012)
6. “33 Postcards” (Gravitas Ventures, 2011)
7. “Not Since You” (Monarch Home Ent., 2010)
8. “Wendy and Lucy” (Oscilloscope Pictures, 2008)
9. “Ellie Parker” (Strand Releasing, 2005)
10. “Cashback” (Magnolia, 2007)
