With a record intake of $5.17 billion worldwide, the highest total combined gross in the field, Paramount Pictures (NYSE:VIAB) is claiming the number 1 spot among studios for 2011. Paramount released 16 new films domestically, placing in teh top spot for the North American market with $1.96 billion, and drawing a record gross internationally of $3.2 billion.

The studio’s biggest earners were Michael Bay’s Transformers: Dark of the Moon ($352.4 million domestic), Marvel Studio’s Thor ($181 million) and Captain America: The First Avenger ($176.7 million), and DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda 2 ($165.2 million) and Puss In Boots ($145.8 million). Paramount also claims the present number one at the box office: Brad Bird’s Mission: Impossible—Ghost Protocol ($142.8 million to date).

Coming in 2012, Paramount will offer zombie flick World War Z, starring Brad Pitt; G.I. Joe: Retaliation, featuring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Channing Tatum; an addition to the Paranormal Activity franchise; and the newest work from Sacha Baron Cohen and director Larry Charles in The Dictator.

Here’s how these film companies are performing in reaction to the positive news from Viacom today:

Viacom, Inc. (NASDAQ:VIAB): VIAB shares recently traded at $45.98, up $0.57, or 1.26%. They have traded in a 52-week range of $35.13 to $52.67. Volume today was 2,766,160 shares versus a 3-month average volume of 4,340,760 shares. The company’s trailing P/E is 12.80, while trailing earnings are $3.59 per share.

Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (NYSE:LGF): LGF shares recently traded at $8.47, up $0.15, or 1.8%. They have traded in a 52-week range of $5.69 to $8.87. Volume today was 697,379 shares versus a 3-month average volume of 699,856 shares. The company’s trailing P/E is 41.72, while trailing earnings are $0.20 per share.

Walt Disney Co. (NYSE:DIS): DIS shares recently traded at $38.38, up $0.88, or 2.35%. They have traded in a 52-week range of $28.19 to $44.34. Volume today was 7,611,211 shares versus a 3-month average volume of 11,612,800 shares. The company’s trailing P/E is 15.23, while trailing earnings are $2.52 per share.

DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. (NASDAQ:DWA): DWA shares recently traded at $16.71, up $0.12, or 0.72%. They have traded in a 52-week range of $16.34 to $30.73. Volume today was 1,008,837 shares versus a 3-month average volume of 941,791 shares. The company’s trailing P/E is 9.62, while trailing earnings are $1.74 per share.

News Corp. (NASDAQ:NWSA): NWSA shares recently traded at $18.41, up $0.57, or 3.2%. They have traded in a 52-week range of $13.38 to $18.35. Volume today was 19,443,366 shares versus a 3-month average volume of 20,034,100 shares. The company’s trailing P/E is 18.06, while trailing earnings are $1.02 per share.

CBS Corporation (NYSE:CBS): CBS shares recently traded at $27.39, up $0.25, or 0.92%. They have traded in a 52-week range of $17.99 to $29.68. Volume today was 6,393,127 shares versus a 3-month average volume of 8,184,570 shares. The company’s trailing P/E is 15.58, while trailing earnings are $1.76 per share.

Time Warner Inc. (NYSE:TWX): TWX shares recently traded at $36.56, up $0.42, or 1.16%. They have traded in a 52-week range of $27.62 to $38.62. Volume today was 4,843,314 shares versus a 3-month average volume of 7,309,320 shares. The company’s trailing P/E is 13.88, while trailing earnings are $2.63 per share.

To contact the reporter on this story: Brooke Edge at staff.writers@wallstcheatsheet.com

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Damien Hoffman at editors@wallstcheatsheet.com

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