‘Grinch’ Video, DVD Sales at $145 Million

Universal’s video and DVD version of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” has generated $145 million in sales, setting a holiday record for the studio.

In its first six days, the movie sold 8.5 million copies, including 3 million DVDs, said Universal Studios, a division of Paris-based Vivendi Universal. The film, based on the children’s classic by Dr. Seuss and starring comedian Jim Carrey, was the highest-grossing film last year, making $260 million in domestic ticket sales.

Several other movies have had strong holiday releases, driven in part by the booming DVD market, said Ralph Tribbey, editor of the DVD Report, an industry newsletter. DreamWorks’ animated summer hit “Shrek,” Universal’s “The Mummy Returns” and Fox’s “Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace” each sold more than 2 million DVD units in their opening weeks.