Sony Pictures might have been forced to release their controversial comedy “The Interview” online, but they are not complaining! Recently released figures reveal that the company has already made more than $40 million from its online and on-demand release since the movie debuted on Dec 24. Sony had earlier bragged of earning $15 million during the first four days, shattering all previous records by an online release of a Hollywood blockbuster.

Though that should help bring some cheer to the Sony camp, let us not forget that the movie had been forecast to earn to the tune of $30 million it the opening weekend alone. That goes on to imply that inspite of record shattering performances over the digital media, the collections from the online release are only a fraction of what the movie could have earned from a wide theatrical release.

“Still, the significant total represents a sizable recoup for Sony after the film appeared dead. After hackers the FBI have said are North Korean threatened violence in theaters showing the film, North America’s top theater chains pulled out of showing “The Interview” and Sony canceled its release entirely,” reported a leading daily.

“But cobbled-together release in independent theaters and digital outlets has proven modestly successful. Playing in select theaters, “The Interview” has made about $5 million in two weeks. It’s currently playing in 558 theaters, far less than the approximately 3,000 it originally planned to open in,” it added.

Beginning Saturday, Jan 24, Netflix will offer the movie to streaming members across the United States and Canada. As previously reported by Variety, Netflix in December entered into talks with Sony about licensing “The Interview” to streaming subscribers.

However, Sony wanted to maximize digital and VOD sales first before opening up to SVOD, it was understood. The film, starring James Franco and Seth Rogen, is about two American TV journalists hired by the CIA to assassinate the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.