Paramount leads global box office in 2011

HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Hollywood's Paramount Pictures says it had the biggest box-office gross in 2011, earning $5.17 billion in receipts worldwide.

The studio reported it released 16 new movies domestically last year and placed first in the North American market share with $1.96 billion, while also amassing record grosses at the international box office with $3.21 billion.

"This achievement reflects the combined efforts of our entire team across the globe and the careful process by which we select the projects and partners we believe in," Paramount Pictures Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brad Grey said in a statement Monday. "We produce pictures that aspire to entertain audiences around the world, while at the same time we have sought to find innovative ways to reach movie-goers in this changing entertainment environment."

Among Paramount's 2011 releases were "True Grit," "No Strings Attached," "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never," "Rango," "Thor," "Kung Fu Panda 2," "Super 8," "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," "Captain America: The First Avenger," "Footloose," "Paranormal Activity 3," "Puss in Boots," "Like Crazy," "Hugo," "Young Adult," "Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol" and "Tintin."