Fandango: 'Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials' & 'Black Mass' Advance Weekend Sales Neck and Neck

The official press release:

LOS ANGELES - September 16, 2015 - This Friday's new releases, "Black Mass," starring Johnny Depp as notorious Boston gangster Whitey Bulger, and the highly-anticipated sci-fi action sequel, "Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials," are blazing to the top of Fandango's weekend ticket sales and the company's Fanticipation movie buzz indicator with 84 and 83 out of 100 points respectively.

"Black Mass" is Fandango's fastest-selling film featuring Johnny Depp in a leading role since 2011's "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides." Running neck and neck with "Black Mass" on Fandango, advance sales for "The Scorch Trials" are pacing ahead of the first "Maze Runner" film at the same point in the Fandango sales cycle.

According to a survey of more than 1,000 "Black Mass" moviegoers on Fandango:
· 88% are fans of gangster movies;

· 85% are Johnny Depp fans;

· 83% would like to see Johnny Depp win an Oscar for his role as Bulger.

"This Fall's movies are off to a great start with hearty advance sales for both ‘Black Mass' and ‘Scorch Trials,'" says Fandango Chief Correspondent Dave Karger. "Johnny Depp has completely transformed himself in an Oscar-worthy performance as Whitey Bulger in ‘Black Mass' and his adult fans are clearly excited about his much-lauded comeback role. At the same time, young adult fans of the first ‘Maze Runner' film and James Dashner's series of books are scooping up their tickets to the thrilling, thought-provoking sequel."

About Fandango's Fanticipation
Known for having its finger on the pulse of moviegoers, Fandango's movie buzz indicator, Fanticipation, provides statistical insight into the movies fans are planning to see in a given weekend. Fanticipation scores (based on a 1 to 100-point scale) are calculated via an algorithm of Fandango's advance ticket sales, website and mobile traffic, and social media engagement. Fanticipation is not intended as a forecast of the weekend box office; it is a snapshot of movie fan sentiment. Fandango is the nation's leading digital destination for moviegoers and fans with more than 42 million unique visitors per month.*

*According to comScore.

Press Contacts:
Dana Benson
dbenson@fandango.com
310-954-0465

Harry Medved
hmedved@fandango.com
310-954-0461