The odds were ever in Lionsgate’s favor! Propelled by its blockbuster “Twilight” saga and “Hunger Games” young adult franchises, Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), a leading global entertainment company, has become the first studio outside the traditional majors to eclipse the $1 billion mark at the domestic box office in a single calendar year, the Company reported today.

The Company also expects to roar across the $1 billion mark at the international box office and the $2 billion mark at the worldwide box office (domestic and international combined) in the next few weeks as “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2” continues to build on its franchise record-shattering opening weekend of $340.9 million at the worldwide box office, outpacing the best previous “Twilight” installment by approximately 40 percent to date.

A commercially powerful Lionsgate slate including the blockbuster first film in “The Hunger Games” franchise, which grossed $408 million at the domestic box office and is the 13th highest-grossing domestic release of all time, and “Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2” have combined to push Lionsgate’s domestic box office total to $1.08 billion with nearly two months remaining in the calendar year and “Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2” just beginning its theatrical run.

Building on this success, Lionsgate will also open the critically-acclaimed drama “The Impossible” on December 21st. “The Impossible” has already launched in Spain with a mammoth box office haul of nearly $50 million, ranking second all time at the Spanish box office behind “Avatar.”

Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer and Vice Chairman Michael Burns had this to say about the company’s success:

“Every member of our Motion Picture Group should take tremendous pride in this singular accomplishment. The strength of our theatrical slate, both domestically and internationally, reflects the critical mass we’ve built throughout all of our businesses. Led by the next three installments of our “Hunger Games” franchise and new and emerging brands like “Ender’s Game” and “Divergent,” our pipeline going forward continues to be strong.”

Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-Chairmen Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger had this to say:

“We’re thrilled that “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2” is off to such a great start worldwide, and we owe a tremendous debt of thanks to Stephenie Meyer and the entire “Twilight” team. Our results reflect not only the global appeal of our “Hunger Games” and “Twilight” franchises but our portfolio approach to our slate, which has already generated eight different films this year that have grossed more than $40 million at the domestic box office. Our slate going forward will continue to be driven by the same powerful mix of franchise tentpoles, strong brands and critically exciting films.”