Q4: Where and how is the film being exhibited in the UK?

On the 10 December 2009, Avatar's world premiere was in London. (see picture below)Despite being premiered in the UK, the film was released here on the 17 December 2009 (at a similar date to most countries around the world). In the USA, Avatar was exhibited at 3,452 sites but in the in the UK, Avatar was exhibited at only 503 sites where it ranked at #1 in it's first week. In the opening weekend, the film had earned a gross of £8,509,050 in the UK alone.

By the second week, Avatar's rank had fallen to #2 in the UK, although it remained at #1 in the USA. In the UK, Avatar was only showing at 478 sites. By the second weekend (starting on the 25 December 2009), the film had earned a resulting gross of £18,404,659 from box office sales in the UK.

As mentioned about the production, Avatar was 'filmed' stereoscopically (in 3D) so it was exhibited in several sites with projectors capable of exhibiting in this way; sites include Odeon cinemas, Cineworld cinemas and the BFI IMAX in London. (see screenshot from the BFI IMAX's website below)

Although Avatar has had lots of effort put into the visuals and 3D appearance, the film is also being exhibited in 2D in the UK for 3 main reasons:

1. Some cinemas cannot afford to show 3D films as they would need to purchase the new technology; a 3D projector, 3D glasses, etc.
2. Some people cannot watch a film in 3D due to health - related issues, this may be that they feel nauseous watching it or that they may have a disability that affects their vision.
3. Some people don't want to watch Avatar in 3D, they may think that the story is more important than the visuals or that it won't be worth the extra cost.

Written by Dominic Crewe