Warner Brothers Breaks $1 Billion Dollars at Domestic Box Office

After only 192 days in 2009, Warner Brothers has grossed over $1 billion dollars this year domestically from their films. This was announced on Sunday, the fifth day in theaters for HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE. They join Paramount in making over $1 billion dollars as well, due to the success of TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN.

As of Sunday, HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE has grossed $159.7 million domestically. Warner Brothers has also had help reaching the $1 billion mark from their record breaking comedy, THE HANGOVER. “Hangover” has become the highest grossing rated-R comedy of all time, beating out “Beverly Hills Cop” after over 25 years! The movie has made over $235.8 million dollars as of today, which is truly incredible. The movie still remains a top contender at the box office, even after six weeks in release.

Check out the official press release below:

WARNER BROS. PICTURES SURPASSES $1 BILLION BOX OFFICE MARK FOR NINTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

Burbank, CA, July 19, 2009 – On the heels of seven films opening to the number one position at the box office since January 2009 – more than any other studio – and an incredible Wednesday release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince this week, Warner Bros. Pictures has surpassed the $1 billion threshold in domestic box office revenue for the tenth out of the past eleven years and remains the only studio to accomplish this feat for nine consecutive years. The announcement was made today by Dan Fellman, President, Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

The Division enjoyed a robust start to the year with the expansion of Clint Eastwood’s highly acclaimed drama Gran Torino, which became Eastwood’s largest opening weekend and highest-grossing film ever with more than $148m at the box office. The subsequent successes of Watchmen, New Line Cinema’s He’s Just Not That Into You, Friday the 13th, and 17 Again, this summer’s breakout hit The Hangover, which at more than $235m has become the highest-grossing R-rated comedy ever, and now the tremendous opening of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince pushed Warner Bros. Pictures over the threshold in a mere 192 days – a record within the studio.

“Our tentpole strategy combined with an enormously diverse overall slate has once again proved profitable at the box office,” said Fellman. “We could not be more proud of the studio’s achievements already this year, and we’re anticipating an even bigger second half of 2009.”

The Hangover, which continues to perform strongly across the country in its seventh week in release, is the fastest R-rated comedy to reach the $150m mark and was the first movie this summer to retain the number one box office position for two consecutive weeks. Additionally, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is expected to deliver massive revenue following its first five days of release, as it’s already become the largest grossing midnight showing ever and the largest opening day for the franchise.