The dance film "Step Up 3D" opened to a soft $15.5 million, compared to $20.7 million for the 2006 original and $18.9 million for 2008's "Step Up 2 the Streets." This actually shows a sizable decline in audience interest. The movie premiered on August 6, 2010.

The sequel earned from higher ticket prices because it was released in 3D. Audiences overwhelmingly saw the new "Step Up" in 3D with 84% of its receipts coming from theaters that played the movie with the technology.

Walt Disney Pictures and Summit Entertainment teamed-up to finance "Step Up 3D" which cost between $30 million and $35 million. Disney is handling its domestic release and Summit arranges its distribution in foreign countries.

Overseas, "Step Up 3D" opened to $12.3 million in 11 countries. In Australia, the Netherlands, and Belgium it started bigger than both its predecessors.