Sony says ‘The Interview’ has already raked in $15 million online

Despite an ongoing hacking scandal and a launch that was canceled and only recently rescheduled, The Interview has managed to rake in $15 million since its online debut on Wednesday.

The film’s sales numbers were revealed in an official statement from Sony released on Sunday.

“Through Saturday, December 27, including all of its online distribution platforms, The Interview has been rented or purchased online more than 2 million times,” read a statement from Sony Pictures. “Total consumer spending through Saturday for The Interview online is over $15 million.”

With limited showings in theaters, following security concerns based on previous threats, Sony has relied heavily upon online distribution through channels like YouTube, Google Play, Microsoft’s Xbox Video and, more recently, iTunes.

The strategy of debuting a film online, which has largely been avoided by major studios in recent years in favor focusing on brick and mortar theaters for initial profits, appears to have paid off for Sony (despite the tumultuous path that led the studio to make the decision).

“[A]fter only four days, The Interview already ranks as Sony Pictures #1 online film of all time,” read the statement from Sony Pictures.

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