'The Martian' becomes quickest-selling live action digital HD title ever

The sci-fi hit, which debuted on Digital HD December 22, was also the industry's best-selling live action Digital HD title in its first week of release.

Digital HD sales of director Ridley Scott's The Martian have soared to a new record, making it the quickest-selling live action Digital HD title ever, according to Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. The title has sold 1 million Digital HD copies to date, reaching that milestone in just three weeks of availability, reported the studio. The sci-fi hit, which debuted on Digital HD December 22, was also the industry's best-selling live action Digital HD title in its first week of release. Based on the best-selling novel by Andy Weir, The Martian follows an astronaut's (Matt Damon) fight for survival on Mars. "Audiences have emotionally connected with Ridley Scott's The Martian in theaters around the world, and now again through the phenomenal results on Digital HD," said Mary Daily, president and chief marketing officer, worldwide marketing, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.
"This is the clearest indicator yet that consumers are embracing digital, and it's now a natural part of the purchase consideration for movie ownership." The Digital HD release contains more than 90 minutes of special features, including a fictional retrospective, starring Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Sean Bean, covering the "true" story behind the daring rescue seven years after the events of the film occurred. The release also includes two making of documentaries and a gag reel. The Martian has been named one of the American Film Institute's top 10 films of the year and has garnered numerous accolades, including top honours to Scott for best director, Damon for best actor and Drew Goddard for best adapted screenplay from the National Board of Review. The Martian, which has earned $600 million at the box office worldwide, will be released on 3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray and DVD on January 12.