Miramax Films has broken a company record for annual worldwide gross in 2001, taking some $950m so far this year and expecting to pass the $1bn mark by year end. Domestic takes from the Miramax and Dimension labels totalled over $600m while international totals through Miramax International partners came to $350m.

Leading the way domestically were Spy Kids with $113m, The Others with $96.5m, Bridget Jones's Diary with $71.5m, Chocolat with $71.5m and Scary Movie 2 with $71.3m.

Overseas, the top box office performers were Chocolat ($81m) and Scary Movie 2 ($66m), with The Others taking $37m from select territories. StudioCanal sold The Others in international markets, while Universal handled international on Bridget Jones's Diary.

"This level of accomplishment reflects the direction the company has taken with regard to the product mix and distribution patterns for the Miramax and Dimension Films," said Rick Sands, chairman of worldwide distribution at Miramax, in a statement. "We are very proud of our domestic distribution and marketing teams and the network of first rate international territorial distributors we have assembled."