Leading games publisher Electronic Arts

Leading games publisher Electronic Arts reported a solid jump in earnings and revenue Wednesday, buoyed by strong sales of games related to the Harry Potter movie and “The Sims.”

The article begins, “Of the five films most likely to be nominated for best picture in this year’s Oscar race only one is ‘Questionable’ in the eyes of the American Humane Association. That would be Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, among the most popular movies being considered for Oscar nomination.” But read this next paragraph: “The other four favorites — A Beautiful Mind, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, In The Bedroom and Gosford Park — have nothing to fear from this quarter.” And even though the rest of the article is more of a tongue-in-cheek treatment regarding the roles of animals in films, it’s still nice to hear Harry Potter … and “Oscar” in the same sentence!

Coming Soon reports that after ten weeks since its international release in the U.K. and Taiwan, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone hit $566.2 million, streaking past Jurassic Park‘s $563 million to rank as the second-highest earner in history overseas, behind Titanic. The film raked in $15.7 million from more than 5,000 screens in 52 markets: a dizzying $600 million is now firmly in its sights. (Thanks to The Wizard World for the link.)