DreamWorks’ blockbuster Shrek 2 has been pulling in the green hand-ogre-fist since its Friday home video debut. According to the studio, fans have scooped up around 12.1 million copies, generating an estimated $185 million in retail revenue. The original Shrek sold 7 million units in its first three days in 2001.
Shrek 2 opened in theaters this past spring and easily won the title of highest-grossing animated film of all time, edging out Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo. The pic is also the year’s top earner and the third highest grossing film of all time, behind Titanic and Star Wars, at the domestic box office. Home video sales for the film are also on track to swim past those of Finding Nemo, which holds the record with 22 million copies sold.
The DVD includes a feature titled Far, Far Away Idol, which lampoons American Idol with Shrek 2 characters competing in a singing competition. Viewers were invited to log on to a DreamWorks website or call a toll free number to cast their votes. With more than three quarters of a million votes counted, dark horse contestant Doris (voiced by Larry King) pulled off a popular vote upset with her outrageous rendition of Girls Just Want to Have Fun.
In celebration of the home video release, DreamWorks held a star-studded bash at Spago in Beverly Hills Monday night. Studio principal Jeffrey Katzenberg, Shrek 2 directors Kelly Asbury and Conrad Vernon and voice cast members Mike Meyers, Eddie Murphy and Julie Andrews were among the Hollywood luminaries on hand to toast the film’s phenomenal success.
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