After 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon's' Big Opening, Paramount Is First Studio to Hit $1 Billion in Domestic Revenue for 2011

Paramount is once again the first studio to reach $1 billion in domestic grosses, aided by the $180.7 million opening of Transformers: Dark of the Moon over the long July 4th holiday.

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It’s the fifth year in a row that Paramount has reached the milestone before any other studio.

Through Monday, Paramount releases have grossed $1.05 billion domestically this year, led by Dark of the Moon, according to Rentrak. The time period is Jan. 1-July 4.

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That’s followed by Paramount/Marvel Studios’ Thor ($178 million), Paramount/DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda 2 ($157.3 million), Rango ($123.2 million), Justin Bieber: Never Say Never ($73 million) and No Strings Attached ($70.7 million).

The $1.05 billion pot also includes revenues from some 2010 titles, including True Grit, which earned $100.6 million in this calendar year, and The Fighter, which earned $54.5 million this year.

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Overseas, Paramount Pictures International jumped the $1 billion in mark in mid-June, becoming the second studio to do so this year after 20th Century Fox.