Best Picture Oscar Contenders Top $2 Billion At Box Office Worldwide

The nine Best Picture nominees have collectively grossed a staggering $918 million domestically so far, Gitesh Pandya (BoxOfficeGuru) tells Gold Derby. "That is up a stunning 55% from the nine-pack from a year ago at this same time."

For many years, Pandya has tracked the financial aspect of the Oscars derby. As he tells us, "Only one film last year -- 'The Help' -- broke $100 million whereas this time around we have no less than six including 'Silver Linings Playbook' which passes the mark on Monday or Tuesday. Worldwide, the nine Best Picture contenders have grossed over $2 billion to date proving that quality films for grownups can still make a ton of cash."

He says, "the big studios came back with a vengeance this year and their films are winning awards AND making big money." And, as he observes, "they may be asking themselves why did we get out of this game and let Harvey take all the loot in the first place?"

Pandya predicts, "we’re going to see a nice rise in the ratings for ABC too. When this many people have actually seen so many of the top contenders, more will care to tune in to see who wins. It’s not a year when only 12 people have seen all the big nominees."

wow thats a lot of money, congrats to all those movies.

Yeah it really is and I never knew it was a record.

If Skyfall had gotten a Best Picture nomination the tally would have been even higher!

Congrats to all the Best Picture nominees making a lot of money. I think they were all great [although I still need to see Beast of the Southern Wild and Amour]..

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