Warner Bros has passed the $1 billion domestic B.O. mark.

The second studio to hit the mark this year after Paramount and the only studio to accomplish the feat for nine consecutive years, Warners made the announcement today on the heels of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" opening to $160 million in the U.S.

 

This is the quickest that Warners has reached the billion-dollar mark and the tenth time out of 11 years that the studio has achieved the milestone.

 

Warners has opened seven films at no. 1 in 2009, starting in January with "Gran Torino."

 

Dan Fellman, President of Distribution for Warner Bros. Pictures., credited "our tentpole strategy combined with an enormously diverse overall slate."

Two of the highlights: "The Hangover" is the fastest R-rated comedy to reach the $150 million mark and was the first movie this summer to retain the number one box office position for two consecutive weeks.

And "Harry Potter" holds the record for highest midnight grosses and also holds the franchise record for biggest opening.