Hooray for Hollywood

Writers' strikes, internet piracy and even multiple Razzie-nominee Norbet could not keep film lovers away from the flicks in 2007 it seems, as new figures from the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) show US and global box office hit all-time highs last year.

According to MPAA's latest report, which was published in Los Angeles this week, the United States box office takings broke the $9.6 billion (£4.76 billion) barrier in 2007, while takings in the rest of the world increased 4.9 per cent to $26.7 billion.

The report says Hollywood made 603 films last year, 11 of which grossed $200 million or more in the US.

Four of these blockbusters went on to break the $300 million barrier. According to the BBC, they were Spider-Man 3, Shrek the Third, Transformers and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.

Research by Nielsen for the MPAA also found that most moviegoers were happy moviegoers, with 77 per cent saying a trip to the cinema was time and money well spent.

MPAA chief executive Dan Glickman said the global box office had faced some stiff challenges in 2007, with a drawn out writers' strike in the States and illegal downloads making an impact worldwide.

"But ultimately, we got our Hollywood ending," he said.

Aww.

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