MovieTickets.com, an online movie ticket provider says their online ticket sales have increased 31 percent in the first half of 2007 compared to the same time period in 2006.

The company says that the increase in ticket sales can be attributed to the release of summer blockbusters in May.

MovieTickets.com combined May and June sales were up 41 percent and the overall box office was up 2.4 percent in the same period.

"Clearly online movie ticketing has become an integral part of consumers' lifestyles. Planning ahead and committing to the in-theater experience has gone from a 'want' to a 'need' in many parts of the country," said Joel Cohen Executive Vice President and General Manager MovieTickets.com.

"And while e- commerce proliferation is a factor in our striking sales growth, we know that moviegoers are responding more and more to studio marketing campaigns to not only reserve their ticket for a must-see opening weekend film, but for all of their movie ticket buying."

The site has also seen a 150 percent increase in registered users since 2005. MovieTickets.com believes their sales will continue to do well going into the latter half of 2007, mainly due to blockbuster film releases such as "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" which saw moviegoers buying advanced tickets in May, two months before its release.

Online Movie Tickets