Disney again makes history with takings above $7 bln for 2018

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Walt Disney Studios is again ending the year on a high note, posting more than seven billion U.S. dollars in global box office earnings, thanks to hits such as "Black Panther" and "Avengers: Infinity War."

"This is only the second time in history any studio has surpassed the seven billion U.S. dollars mark, after Disney's own industry-record 2016 global gross of 7.6 billion dollars," the company said in a statement on Monday.

"The Studios' estimated international box office gross through December 9 is an estimated 4.069 billion dollars, marking our second biggest year and the third biggest in industry history," it added.

A poster for "Black Panther". /VCG Photo‍

Disney's success comes as the studio is set to release "Mary Poppins Returns" on December 19, which is expected to top the box office during the holiday season. "To date, four of the top eight worldwide releases of the year are from The Walt Disney Studios, including the top two global and top three domestic releases," the company said.

"Avengers: Infinity War," made by Disney's Marvel subsidiary, led the way, earning two billion dollars alone. It is followed by superhero movie "Black Panther," which earned 1.35 billion dollars worldwide. "Incredibles 2," made by Pixar, another Disney subsidiary, earned 1.24 billion dollars.

Other top box office earners for 2018 are "Ant-Man and The Wasp," "Solo: A Star Wars Story," and "Ralph Breaks the Internet," which has held the number one spot at the North American box office for the third consecutive week.

Source(s): AFP