‘Batman’ Video Defeats ‘E.T.’ in Rental Race

Warner Home Video’s “Batman” has soared to new heights in the video rental business with 9.8 million transactions counted in two weeks, according to the New York research firm of Alexander & Associates.

The film noir version of the comic book hero’s clash with the Joker rang in an estimated $21 million in holiday rentals from its Nov. 17 release until Dec. 4.

Batman’s two-week rental record eclipsed the previous high set by “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial,” beating the bicycle-levitating alien by “more than 3 million turns,” said Robert Alexander, the firm’s president.

Batman’s velocity also helped carry the video industry to its best week overall, said Alexander, who counted 94.8 million video rentals for the week ending Dec. 4.

The previous high was 91.8 million in rentals, set in the last week of November, 1988, when “E.T.” was released.

When it comes to video sales, however, it appears that MCA Home Video’s “E.T.” probably will outperform “Batman.”

Analysts estimate that about 4.2 million copies of “Batman” have been sold to consumers, with about 1.3 million representing sales to video rental operators.

Retailers indicated that “Batman” sales are about half the pace of “E.T.”

TOP VIDEO RENTALS

Last week’s top videocassette rentals, from Billboard magazine:

1. Batman

2. Scrooged

3. Ghostbusters II

4. K-9

5. Working Girl

6. Three Fugitives

7. Say Anything

8. Who Framed Roger Rabbit

9. Rain Man

10. Major League

11. Pet Sematary

12. The Dream Team

13. Leviathan

14. Beaches

15. Chances Are