Sony’s decision to release “The Interview” paid off.

The goofy comedy made $1 million in theaters on Christmas day — and its online-streaming sales were just as impressive. “It will probably go down as the biggest on-demand title in history,” said Jeff Bock, senior box-office analyst for Exhibitor Relations.

The controversial comedy — which angered North Korea over a Kim Jong-un assassination scene — was the best seller on both Google Play and YouTube Movies on Christmas Day.

The movie had a “really strong showing” even though it played at only 331 theaters — with many sold-out shows, ­according to Bock and other ­analysts.

Sony honchos declined to release official digital numbers on Friday, but more people likely watched the movie online than saw it in theaters — which could inspire some studios to distribute films online sooner after in-theater release dates, Bock said.

“It would be theater chains’ worst nightmare. But if people want to watch movies at home on computers or even on cellphones, Hollywood is going to have to listen,” Bock said.

The movie’s Web success is no match for how much it would have made at the box office, had the big-name theaters been on board, Bock said.

Sony has to give a cut to Google and YouTube, plus people have been watching it in groups, spending $5.99 to rent it instead of buying multiple tickets. There were also 750,000 ­illegal downloads of the film Friday, according to CNN.

But Sony honchos were pleased.

“The audience reaction was fantastic. The limited release, in under 10 percent of the amount of theaters originally planned, featured numerous sellouts and a first-day gross over $1 million,” said Rory Bruer, president of worldwide distribution for Sony Pictures.

Sony pulled the plug on the movie’s original release date ­after the hacker group Guardians of Peace threatened to ­attack theaters that showed it.