It's been more than a year since Avatar changed everything we thought we knew about 3-D. Millions of movie patrons showed they would pay a few extra dollars for a 3-D experience at RealD
Investors, analysts, and television manufacturers were giddy about the new technology. Some predicted the next step in television would start taking hold in the 2010 holiday season as Panasonic
But consumers didn't buy into the new technology as quickly as hoped and manufacturers began to realize the 3-D revolution would take some time. Studios and movie theaters are starting to come to a similar realization about the big screen: 3-D has its place, but it won't make sense for every film.
Trading down to 2-D
Once the initial excitement wore off, 3-D's take of the box office began to become a concern. This week, RealD felt the disappointment when moviegoers enjoying Time Warner's
The slow realization that 3-D doesn't make sense for every film will be good for the industry in the long run. Films like Avatar, Alice in Wonderland, and Tron: Legacy will show 3-D's quality, while films that shouldn't be made in 3-D will stay where they belong in 2-D. This will actually help IMAX, which can demand a premium for both 2-D and 3-D films, but will force RealD investors to focus on consumer devices.
3-D isn't dead
Just because every movie isn't made in 3-D doesn't mean that 3-D isn't going to take a significant portion of the box office. This morning, Cinemark Holdings
After the mighty Harry Potter's disappointing debut in 3-D, studios and theaters will have to ask themselves: To 3-D or not to 3-D?
Keep up to date with 3-D's progress by adding these stocks to My Watchlist.
- Click here to add RealD to My Watchlist.
- Click here to add IMAX to My Watchlist.
