Sony’s Breaking its Own Overseas Record

Although MGM may have recently found itself on the chopping block, other studios are continuing to thrive. In particular, Sony has been having a phenomenal year, especially overseas.

The studio revealed on Monday that this year’s films have earned Sony over $1.63 billion worldwide, making 2009 the highest grossing year in the studio’s history, as far as international sales go.

Sony lucked out by having several of the most-anticipated films of the year linked to its name. Among the biggest money makers were disaster flick 2012, which brought in $165.2 million from its international release, Michael Jackson concert film This Is It, which has grossed $155.2 million globally, and The DaVinci Code follow-up Angels and Demons, which earned $352 million.

The success of these films has made Sony a close competitor for 20th Century Fox, whose international box office earnings for the year were $1.79 billion.

Sony is also doing well domestically, with the opening of 2012 bringing in $65.2 million to put the film at the number one spot for the weekend’s box office sales. This Is It maintained a spot in the top five, giving Sony a pretty good hold on the box office.