Professional Motion Picture Production and Distribution NEWS

A First in Sony History.

(Culver City, CA) Sony Pictures Releasing International will pass $2 billion at the box office this coming weekend, powering Sony Pictures Entertainment to its best-ever box office year worldwide, it was announced by Jeff Blake, chairman of Sony Pictures Worldwide Marketing & Distribution.

2009 marks just the fifth time in motion picture history that any studio will have passed the $2 billion milestone internationally, following Paramount in 2008, Warner Bros. in 2007 and 2004, and 20th Century Fox in 2006.

Worldwide, through Wednesday, SPE has already taken in $3.357 billion at the box office, surpassing the studio's previous worldwide boxoffice record of $3.334 billion from 2006.

Commenting on the announcement, Blake said, "Even in the midst of an economy that continues to challenge our industry, this has been a tremendous year in just about every way we can imagine. First and foremost, we have had an extremely strong slate of films built by Amy Pascal, Michael Lynton and the Columbia, Screen Gems and Sony Pictures Animation production teams led by Doug Belgrad, Matt Tolmach, Clint Culpepper and Hannah Minghella. Credit goes to them and the outstanding filmmakers they have championed this year. We have also been well served and supported by the extraordinarily creative and resourceful marketing and distribution teams we've built in markets all around the world - this studio's record-breaking achievement would not have been possible without their hard work and support."

In recent weeks, SPRI has pushed toward the $2 billion landmark with the blockbuster release 2012, which will pass $500 million internationally this weekend ($620 million worldwide box office to date). SPRI's many hits in 2009 include Angels & Demons, which reached $352.6 million in foreign markets; Terminator Salvation, which has grossed $220.6 million in SPRI's territories; District 9, the sleeper hit that generated $69.4 million in SPRI's territories; The Ugly Truth, which has taken in more than $114.2 from foreign audiences; The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, which has grossed $86.4 million internationally; and Seven Pounds, a film released in 2008, which earned $99.3 million from international markets in 2009. Finally, Michael Jackson's THIS IS IT, which ended its highly successful run in most territories on Tuesday, took in $180.0 million internationally (more than $250 million worldwide), making it the most successful concert film of all time.

Domestically, Sony Pictures has released eight #1 films in 2009 and is enjoying one of the highest grossing years at the box office in the studio's history with more than $1.370 billion to date. Overseas, SPRI has generated $1.987 billion through Wednesday.



Resources:

Sony Pictures Entertainment: www.sonypictures.com