Box Office Milestone: 'Life of Pi' Crosses $500 Million Worldwide

Director Ang Lee's fantasy-adventure Life of Pi has crossed the $500 million mark at the worldwide box office as it continues to defy expectations.

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Fox's 3D film reached the milestone Tuesday. Life of Pi has grossed $100.4 million domestically and $401 million internationally for a total $501.4 million.

Life of Pi is nominated for 11 Oscars -- second only to Lincoln's 12 -- including best picture and best director.

Many questioned whether Life of Pi, based on Yann Martel's 2001 novel about a young Indian boy lost at sea with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker, could be successfully adapted for the big screen. Costing north of $120 million to produce, the movie has turned into a profit generator for Fox.

Life of Pi made headlines when debuting first in Asia, grossing $90.8 million in China alone. Now, it's doing impressive business in Europe and Latin America, as well as Australia.