Fourth of July Box Office Sales Hit Five-Year High

It was probably a mixture of searing temperatures and Independence Day newcomer The First Purge that caused Fourth of July box office sales to hit a five-year high. Sales rose 29 percent over 2017 on Independence Day, which is typically a mixed bag when it comes to moviegoing. According to comScore, ticket sales for the day came in at $43.5 million, compared to $33.9 million in 2017, $40.9 million in 2016, $37.2 million in 2015 and $37.9 million in 2013. In 2013, revenue was helped by the release of Despicable Me 2, which made $24.5 million.

This year, the biggest earners on Wednesday were Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom ($11.5 million), Incredibles 2 ($9.6 million) and The First Purge, which posted an opening-day gross of $9.3 million, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

“In the midst of a red-hot summer movie season, the air-conditioned sanctuary of the movie has an even greater degree of appeal to moviegoers looking to cool off while enjoying the latest cinematic treats that Hollywood has on offer,” says comScore’s Paul Dergarabedian, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “Back in the day, the ‘air-conditioned comfort’ of the movie theater was a big selling point when AC was more of a rarity in the average home.”