Sony Sets Box Office Record

Led by the $572-million success of “Men in Black,” Sony Pictures Entertainment set a worldwide box office record of $2.34 billion for 1997. The industry record caps a stellar theatrical year for Sony, in which its fortunes reversed after several dismal years.

Though Sony handily topped domestic receipts with $1.27 billion, Disney’s Buena Vista International won on the international side with $1.25 billion, versus Sony’s $1.07 billion. One of Buena Vista’s strongest overseas films was “Air Force One,” which Sony released domestically.

Sony’s top two 1997 films, “Men in Black” and “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” are still playing overseas, and are expected to top out at about $600 million and $300 million, respectively.