As far as the studios were concerned, it really was an honor just to be nominated – though the Walt Disney Co.’s Miramax division might feel differently now, the Associated Press rerpots.
Each best picture nominee at Sunday’s Oscars had seen a box office jump in the run-up to the awards show, with Miramax’s “No Country For Old Men” taking the big prize – and the lingering cash flow that comes with it. All five films, which included Fox Searchlight’s “Juno,” Paramount Vantage’s “There Will Be Blood,” Focus Features’ “Atonement,” and Warner Bros.’ “Michael Clayton,” saw revenues increase more than 50 percent, or $110.7 million, to $327.4 million, since the Jan. 22 nominations.
“That’s a pretty healthy bump,” said Paul Dergarabedian, president of the tracking firm Media By Numbers.
The majority of the Oscar bounce usually comes between the nominations and the telecast, while the best picture winner will continue to reap benefits for weeks afterward, he said.
