Sony rebounds.

For the first time, Sony Pictures Entertainment's worldwide box office take exceeded $3 billion in a single year. Sony films accounted for 20 percent of all the tickets sold in North America in 2006.

"The Da Vinci Code," which did more than $750 million at the worldwide box office, led the way, but there was plenty of depth, too. "Casino Royale," "Click," and "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" all made in excess of $100 million.

"What we had this year was a diversity of product," said Sony spokesman Steve Elzer. "Tentpole films like 'The Da Vinci Code' and 'Casino Royale,' broad comedies like 'Talladega Nights' and some family and animated titles all did really well."

The achievement is particularly satisfying, and indicative of the cyclical nature of box office success, given Sony's performance in 2005. Last year the studio finished in eighth place among major distributors. There were a few hits, such as Will Smith's romantic comedy "Hitch," but the year was mostly made of misses like "Stealth," "XXX: State of the Union," and "Zathura."

Elzer had a simple explanation for the studio's turnaround: better films.

"You really have to create a compelling audience experience," Elzer said.

Sony becomes the third studio to reach the $3 billion mark in worldwide box office, joining Walt Disney Co.'s 2003 performance and Warner Bros. in both 2004 and 2005.