Paramount domestic box office passes $1 billion

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Paramount Pictures said on Monday it had topped $1 billion in sales at U.S. and Canadian box offices, boosted by hit films "Iron Man" and the latest "Indiana Jones" saga, and become the first studio to pass that benchmark.

Last week, the film studio, which is owned by Viacom Inc, surpassed the $1 billion mark in international ticket sales.

"Iron Man" has now grossed $305 million domestically (U.S. and Canada) for Paramount, while director Steven Spielberg's "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" pulled in $291 million.

Animated movie "Kung Fu Panda," which was produced by DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc and distributed in domestic markets by Paramount Pictures has made $156 million.

(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte and Andre Grenon)