’12 Years a Slave’ Gets Post-Oscars Expansion to 1,000 Theaters

[ SOURCE ] In the wake of the Oscar picture win for “12 Years a Slave,” exhibitors are clamoring to book the film in theaters even though it hits homevid shelves Tuesday. As of mid-afternoon on Monday, the Fox Searchlight-distributed film had secured more than 1,000 Stateside locations, up from 411 last weekend.

Fox Searchlight anticipates that “12 Years” could earn $3 million-$4 million this weekend.

The film’s Oscar victories, which also included supporting actress and adapted screenplay, could be the final push needed for those on-the-fence filmgoers who have yet to see the film since it first bowed in theaters more than four months ago.

During Oscars weekend, “12 Years a Slave” actually grew 75% over its previous frame — more than any other pic and enough to lift the film past the $50 million domestic mark.