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The Golden Globes kick off awards season next month, so it's a good time to take a look at the leading films of 2006 - in terms of dollars. The industry projects $11.9 billion in domestic revenues for the year, a 4.2 percent increase from 2005. Here, WWD highlights the films that have grossed $100 million or more in the U.S. The trends included successful sequels such as "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" and "Ice Age: The Meltdown," as well as animated films like "Cars" and "Happy Feet." A few of the movies are still going strong at the box office ("Borat" and "Casino Royale"), while others have left theaters for good ("Pirates" and "The Da Vinci Code").
1. "PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST"
Gross domestic revenues to date: $423.3 million
Release date: July 7
No movie came close to this blockbuster hit. It's got adventure, romance, humor - and it appeals both to adults and children. Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow returns in this sequel to settle a debt to Davey Jones, the infamous captain of the ship, the Flying Dutchman. Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom are again Depp's sidekicks.
2. "CARS"
Revenues: $244.1 million
Release date: June 9
This Disney/Pixar flick features a rookie race car named Lightning McQueen (voice by Owen Wilson) who takes a detour in a sleepy town and learns about life's lessons through the other cars in the town. Paul Newman and Bonnie Hunt are two other members of the all-star cast.
3. "X-MEN: THE LAST STAND"
Revenues: $234.4 million
Release date: May 26
This third installment of the X-Men franchise (based on the comic book series) "still manages to be an eye-filling fantasy extravaganza and a big crowd-pleaser," said the Seattle-Post Intelligencer. Directed by Brett Ratner, the movie...