Once again, a newly-released DVD has shattered all previous sales records. This time it’s the top grossing theatrical movie of the year, SHREK. The DreamWorks film bested the DVD sales record of 2.2 million sold set the week of October 16th by STAR WARS: EPISODE ONE. EPISODE ONE had overtaken THE MUMMY RETURNS, which previously held the record with first week DVD sales of 2 million. According to distributor Universal Home Entertainment, SHREK sold over 7 million VHS and DVD units in just three days of release and the DVD alone sold more than 2.5 million units, giving SHREK the crown for fastest-selling DVD in the digital format’s four and half year history. In total, approximately $110 million in retail revenue was generated by SHREK in its first three days. “We had a record breaking weekend with nearly half of initial shipments sold, with many stores selling completely out of stock,” said Craig Kornblau, president of Universal Studios Home Video. Is there another DVD release this year with record-breaking potential? With DVD growing in popularity, and theatrical blockbusters PLANET OF THE APES, TOMB RAIDER, DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS, JURASSIC PARK III and PEARL HARBOR all scheduled to hit DVD shelves before Christmas 2001, it certainly seems possible.



Jerry Beck reviews two of the hottest animation DVD releases -- SHREK and SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS,