Film industry executives are blaming Halo 3 for the poor ticket sales in theatres across the country. The weekend of October 5th US cinemas saw the worst October weekend since 1999 generating $80 million dollars in ticket sales. By comparison Halo 3 brought in $170 million dollars on it's first day alone. Source: Gamespot [ more info ]

I'd just like to say that I do not actually believe that every movie released in the month of October is, or will be, trash (I'm looking forward to "Dan in Real Life"). But, I also don't believe that Halo 3 alone was responsible for poor tickets sales. Let's be honest, how many of us in that 18-34 "target demographic" would probably rather play any Halo game than to sit through another Ben Stiller movie ("Heartbreak Kid")?

Okay okay that was a bit unfair. There are quite a few Ben Stiller movies I've really enjoyed. But nothing in the last few years that's actually convinced me to pay theatre prices. Then again, there's aren't many movies these days that have convinced me to pay cinema prices.

Screw you cine-plex and your $85 popcorn. **defiantly shakes fist**

PS. this whole thing was just an excuse to draw Master Chief

Because I'm absolutely certain that if there were something worth watching, gamers wouldn't have been able to have broken themselves away from Halo to go see it. The single player campaign isn't *that* long, and it's not like multiplayer is a grind like an MMO. So they're saying that we just won't tear ourselves away for two hours?

Not for a Ben Stiller movie, that's for darn sure.

The movie industry blew their proverbial creative load earlier this year with a swath of really neat movies. I haven't had the urge to see anything since. I'm not really a halo fan either...I got me some TF2 & Portal!

Go Master Cheif Go

At least with the free refills we fill our popcorn and sodas on the way out the door too. Good comic

I've been trying to think, and other than "30 days of Night," I can't think of a single movie that's even come out this month. I recall a whole pile of DVD releases, but they were all from the summer of advertising excess that was May thru June.

And I agree wholeheartedly, it would take a lot to get me to step foot in a theater currently. With a family of 5, assuming there's something worth taking a family to, and since we won't go unless everyone can go, that's $50 roughly just to walk through the door. Forget concessions, everyone wants a popcorn and a Coke, there goes another $50... sorry, $100 for two hours of "entertainment," not worth it to me.

So yeah, I think I'd rather sit at home and play Halo 3, or WoW, or EQ any one of several games that I can get many hours/weeks/months/years of entertainment out of.

I gave up going to movies because it costs well over 20 dollars for two people, counting popcorn/soda.

I can buy what I want to see on DVD for less and watch it on my big screen tv.

There's surprisingly not really anything out there to watch atm. Though I'm kinda tempted to see "30 Days of Night" with Josh Harnett (he's in a vamp movie!?) and that Jesse James movie with Brad Pitt. But there's just nothing that's making me go "Oooh I need to go watch this movie!" like when Transformers, Resident Evil 3, or Bourne Ultimatum came out.

Another question, any idea if and when Halo 3 might hit the PC?

I recently had a day of no kids with the spouse about a week back. Problem was....not a darned thing to see at ANY theatre. Plus honestly the high price of concession items is getting ludicrous I mean c'mon I don't want to have to sell my kidney for some gummy bears!

Is it just me or does movie guy look like Fred Thompson?