Top brass announced on Monday (Aug 6) that it had reached the North American milestone three months faster than its previous studio record of Nov 7, set in 2008.

This marks the seventh time Universal has accomplished the feat and sources said 2012 was expected to overtake 2008 to become the studio’s best ever year at the North American box office.

Key drivers for the year-to-date include current release Ted on $203.6m and Dr Seuss’ The Lorax on $214m, as well as current release Snow White And The Huntsman on $153.8m and Safe House on $126.4m.

Universal currently has four of the 15 top grossing films of the year.

Upcoming releases for the rest of the year include Friday opening The Bourne Legacy starring Jeremy Renner, comedy Pitch Perfect in October and action-thriller The Man With The Iron Fists in November.

December releases are awards contender Les Misérables and Judd Apatow comedy This Is 40, the latest comedy from writer/director Judd Apatow.