Universal international movie ticket sales top $1 billion

Studio Universal Pictures said on Thursday 2008 movie ticket sales outside North America topped $1 billion in August, reaching the benchmark earlier than ever in the year due to hits like "Mamma Mia!" and "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor."

Reaching the billion-dollar tally on Aug 13 puts the studio on track to achieve its most successful year ever, said Universal, a unit of General Electric Co.

In 2007, the Universal hit $1.034 billion for the entire year internationally.

For North America, which includes the United States and Canada, Universal grossed a record $1.099 billion in 2007.

The studio's North America box office tally so far to date is about $805 million.

The studio said its success has been underscored by three films that passed the $100 million mark, including "Mamma Mia!" which has scored $180 million to date; "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" with $152 million to date; and action-thriller "Wanted" which has collected $123 million.

The studio said it sees little signs of deceleration for the remainder of the year, with upcoming films like the action-thriller "Death Race," comedy "Role Models" and drama "Changeling."