Third Pirates sells 8 million units in first week 160,000 On Blu-ray

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End has sold about 8 million copies in North America during its first week on sale, according to multiple industry sources, helping to raise hopes for a strong December at retail.

The third installment of the Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment franchise, which streeted Dec. 4, appears to be running neck-and-neck with Transformers as the top fourth-quarter title in 2007. Paramount Home Entertainment reported that Transformers sold a little more than 8 million units in its first street week, but this figure included sales into the rental channel. The Pirates estimate only spans direct-to-consumer sell-through, add sources.

Also, consumers sailed away with an estimated 160,000 Pirates Blu-ray copies, according to sources, another indication of the title's strength, sources say. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment singled out Spider-Man 3 as its best Blu-ray seller to date, with 130,000 copies sold over its first six days on sale.