'Catching Fire' Is The Biggest Digital Launch in Lionsgate's History

Congrats to Lionsgate on the huge success of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on DVD, Blu-Ray and digital HD! The company announced today that they sold an estimated 3.9 million DVD and Blu-Ray units in the first weekend, increasing almost 40% over The Hunger Games.

The press release:

Lionsgate (LGF), a leading global entertainment company, announced today that the global blockbuster Hunger Games franchise continued to gain momentum as The Hunger Games: Catching Fire sold an estimated 3.9 million DVD and Blu-ray units in its first weekend of North American release and had the biggest digital launch in the Company's history with opening weekend digital sales increasing nearly 40% over the first Hunger Games film.

The record digital performance was driven by #1 openings on all major digital platforms, including iTunes, Xbox, Amazon, Vudu, Comcast Xfinity, Verizon FiOS, Google Play and Sony Entertainment Network, among others. Higher-margin Blu-Ray titles surged to 50% of all packaged media sales of Catching Fire in its opening weekend compared to 35% of packaged media sales of the first Hunger Games film.

"This is a monster opening and a tremendous result for the second film in a franchise, underscoring the enormous momentum of The Hunger Games films," said Ron Schwartz , Lionsgate President and General Manager of Home Entertainment Sales & Distribution. "Opening weekend packaged media sales of Catching Fire were comparable to the first Hunger Games title released nearly two years ago while digital sales grew by nearly 40%. With strong increases in digital revenue and Blu-Ray accounting for 50% of packaged media sales, the opening weekend performance is driving significant margin growth and is a testament to the strength of the franchise."

"We opened Catching Fire on nearly 20 digital platforms, including six that have launched since the home entertainment debut of the first Hunger Games film in 2012, and it was number one on almost all of them," said Lionsgate President of Worldwide Television & Digital Distribution Jim Packer. "The broad demographic appeal of The Hunger Games franchise uniquely positions it for this surge in digital ownership."

Thanks to our friends at QuarterQuell.org for the heads up and the photo!

VIDEO: Willow Shields Promotes the 'Catching Fire' DVD & Blu-Ray

Willow Shields made the rounds the past few days promoting the release of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on DVD, Blu-Ray and digital HD download. Check out some of her interviews below.

Willow talks to Young Hollywood:

Willow speaking with Extra:

Willow talks to OnTheRedCarpet:

Have you picked up your copy yet? Read our review of all the different available versions HERE or enter to win a copy of the Target 3-disc Combo Pak in our giveaway HERE.

Alan Ritchson Surprises 'Catching Fire' Fans at Target

We're about to surprise some Hunger Games fans who are at this Target buying the Exclusive Target Catching Fire DVD's!!Alan Ritchson stopped by a Target store today to surprise fans buying The Hunger Games: Catching Fire DVD 3-disc combo pak. Wouldn't that be awesome? Though all I can think about is that I'd be running to Target in my pjs with something totally embarassing in my cart and there would be Alan Ritchson.  

Follow Alan on instagram.

The 'Catching Fire' Cast Midnight Release Appearances at Walmart

Willow Shields, Bruno Gunn, Stephanie Leigh Schlund and Lynn Cohen made in-store appearances at a few lucky Walmart stores last night to promote the release of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on DVD, Blu-Ray and digital download.

Willow was at the Walmart in Tustin, CA.

Photo by Sheila from HGGirlonFireBruno was at a Walmart in Eligin, IL. Sheila from HG Girl on Fire was there and has tons of pics and a great video interview with Bruno so make sure you check it all out HERE.

Stephanie and Lynn went to a New Jersey area Walmart.

'Catching Fire' Target 3-Disc Blu-Ray Combo Pak Giveaway

We reviewed all the different versions of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on DVD and Blu-Ray in this post and our favorite version by far was the Target 3-Disc Blu-Ray Combo Pak. Since we picked that one as our fave, we figured that it was the version we should give away to you!

Use the widget below to enter the GIVEAWAY by Sunday, March 16th at midnight. This contest is open to international fans. We will give away THREE copies of this combo-pak.

Here's what's included in the Target 3-Disc Blu-Ray Combo Pak:

Disc 1: the film on Blu-Ray, audio commentary with Francis Lawrence and Nina Jacobson, Blu-ray exclusive 9-part making-of documentary: “Surviving The Game”, deleted scenes, Divergent sneak peek
Disc 2: the film on DVD, audio commentary with Francis Lawrence and Nina Jacobson, deleted scenes, Divergent sneak peek
Disc 3: DVD Bonus disc - 3 featurettes:

• One Vision (A Faithful Adaptation)--translating Suzanne Collin's source material to the big screen
• The Alliance (Returning Cast)--an inside look at the close-knit relationships of the returning actors
• Friend or For (New Cast)--finding the perfect embodiments of the new characters

Plus the digital HD Ultraviolet copy

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NOTE: We have not received any promotional material or incentives from Target and aren't affiliated with them in any way. We just really love this version! We DID get an advance copy from Lionsgate, along with a bunch of the other versions. (See our full review HERE) We're keeping that one for ourselves and bought additional copies for this giveaway.

Tomorrow! 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' on DVD, Blu-Ray & Digital

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD March 7th! ORDER: http://www.CatchingFireMovie.com

Read our review of all the different versions for purchase HERE.

Bruno Gunn Promotes the 'Catching Fire' DVD & Blu-Ray in Chicago

Bruno Gunn stopped by a few local Chicago TV shows before his appearance tonight at Walmart to promote the DVD and Blu-Ray release of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

Bruno on You And Me This Morning:

Windy City Live:

VIDEO: Stephanie Leigh Schlund and Lynn Cohen Talk 'Catching Fire'

Stephanie Leigh Schlund and Lynn Cohen stopped by CBS New York's The Couch this morning to talk about The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Lynn and Stephanie will both be at the Walmart in Secaucus, NJ tonight for a meet and greet with fans in celebration of the film's DVD and Blu-Ray release.

See all the details on the Walmart midnight release events HERE.