Wonka crowned biggest home entertainment movie of 2024 in the UK
The whimsical tale of Willy Wonka has secured its place as the UK’s biggest home entertainment movie of 2024. According to the British Association for screen entertainment (Base), Wonka outperformed its rivals, racking up impressive sales and rentals across digital and physical formats.
Timothée chalamet shines as Willy Wonka
Starring Oscar-nominated actor Timothée Chalamet, Wonka serves as a magical origin story for the eccentric chocolatier made famous by Roald Dahl’s charlie and the chocolate factory. Directed by Paul King and distributed by Warner Bros., the film was an immediate hit upon its theatrical release in December 2023. It claimed the number-one spot at the New Year’s weekend box office in the US before captivating audiences worldwide.
In the UK, Wonka dominated the home entertainment market throughout 2024, selling and renting an astounding 821,000 units, according to data from the Official Charts Company (OCC). This achievement reflects the enduring appeal of the character and the film’s universal charm.
Strong competition in 2024
While Wonka claimed the top spot, it faced stiff competition from other high-profile releases.
Coming in second was Dune: part two, another Timothée Chalamet-led blockbuster. The sci-fi epic, directed by Denis Villeneuve, sold a remarkable 817,000 units overall, with 132,000 of those being Blu-ray and DVD copies. Its strong performance made it the top-selling title on disc for the year, highlighting the continued demand for physical media among film enthusiasts.
At number three was Sir Christopher Nolan’s historical masterpiece Oppenheimer. The gripping biopic, which chronicles the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the “father of the atomic bomb,” sold 697,000 units. Starring Cillian Murphy in a career-defining role, the film earned widespread acclaim, including the coveted Best Picture Oscar in 2024.
Rounding out the top five were two fan favourites: Deadpool and Wolverine, an action-packed Marvel extravaganza, and Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, a fantasy comedy that continued to capture hearts well into 2024. Starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, Barbie had been the UK’s best-selling home entertainment movie of 2023, setting the stage for its continued popularity.
Digital sales dominate
In 2024, purchasing films digitally through electronic sell-through (EST) emerged as the UK’s most popular method of film ownership, according to Base. The shift reflects the growing convenience and accessibility of digital platforms, even as physical media like Blu-ray and DVD maintain a loyal following.
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Liz Bales, Chief Executive of Base, expressed optimism for the future of the industry, stating:
“This promises to be another great year for visual entertainment audiences in the UK.”
A bright year for cinema at home
The success of Wonka and its contemporaries highlights the enduring love for cinematic storytelling, whether experienced on the big screen or at home. Timothée Chalamet’s captivating portrayal of Willy Wonka, combined with Paul King’s imaginative direction, has solidified the film’s place as a modern classic.
As audiences continue to embrace a mix of digital and physical formats, 2024’s home entertainment market has proven to be as vibrant and diverse as ever. With more blockbusters and critically acclaimed films on the horizon, the stage is set for another thrilling year in the world of visual entertainment.
