‘Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ scorches home video market

“Hunger Games: Catching Fire” continued to post big numbers as it made its debut on retail shelves.

The “Hunger Games” sequel sold an estimated 3.9 million DVD and Blu-ray units in its first weekend in release, Lionsgate said Tuesday. The original sold 3.8 million units in its first weekend.

Sales for digital copies of “Catching Fire” increased 40% from the first film, according to Lionsgate, which did not disclose how many electronic units were sold for either movie, though the company said “Catching Fire” marked its biggest digital debut ever.

WATCH: ‘Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ exclusive clip shows Katniss on the run

The opening weekend for the Jennifer Lawrence dystopian action picture generated $65 million in home entertainment revenue, Lionsgate said.

Blu-ray versions were more popular this time around, with the pricier format accounting for half of physical sales of “Catching Fire,” compared with 35% of sales for the first picture.

“This is a monster opening and a tremendous result for the second film in a franchise, underscoring the enormous momentum of ‘The Hunger Games’ films,” Ron Schwartz, Lionsgate’s president of home entertainment sales, said in a statement.

Promotions for the retail rollout included midnight events at Wal-Mart stores in Orange, Calif.; Secaucus, N.J.; and Elgin, Ill., that featured signings by members of the movie’s cast.

At the box office, “Catching Fire” has grossed $424 million in ticket sales from the U.S. and Canada, while the original “Hunger Games” took in $408 million. “Catching Fire” was last year’s highest-grossing movie domestically.

The next two movies in the series, “Hunger Games: Mockingjay -- Part 1” and “Hunger Games: Mockingjay -- Part 2,” are slated to hit theaters on Nov. 21 this year and Nov. 20 next year, respectively.

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ryan.faughnder@latimes.com

Twitter: @rfaughnder