The six Big-Top 6 Major Film Studios in the motion picture industry

When you watch a movie, be it at the cinema or in the comfort of your home, is rarely actually think about where the film was produced and how every film company secured the rights to the film you're watching on the screen. The film industry is extremely competitive. The six major movie companies discussed below constitute 90 percent of the United States and Canadian box office revenue. If you are considering a career in film, you should pay very close attention to the stats below.

And while there are some "mini Major" still turning a profit in the industry (Lions Gate Entertainment and MGM for example), it is quite difficult for film companies stay afloat, while competing with these successful Empires.

Below you will find six major film companies (also known as "The Big Six") and a brief description of each:

1. Warner Bros. Pictures. Composed of a massive 19.7 percent of United States/Canadian market share (2007 figures), Warner Bros. images is the largest player in the film industry. Ensure the rights of big movies like Harry Potter, Superman, Batman, The Matrix and Star Wars have made Warner Bros. as the No. 1 in the business.

2. Paramount Pictures. With 15.5 per cent of United States/Canadian market share (2007 figures), Paramount Pictures continues to be one of the most successful film production in the world. Star Trek, the war of the worlds, Mission Impossible series, transformers and Tropic Thunder are just some of the popular film produced by Paramount Pictures.

3. Walt Disney. One of the most renowned film production companies in the history of business, Walt Disney now holds the 15.3 percent of United States/Canadian market share (2007 data). With successful films like pirates of the Caribbean, national treasure, Meet the Robinsons and enchanted, there is no doubt that Disney will continue to play a key role in the industry for years to come.

4. Columbia Pictures. Including 12.9% of the United States/Canadian market share (2007 figures), Columbia Pictures remains a major player in the business. Some of the recent successes of this company include Casino Royale, the Da Vinci Code, the set of Spider-Man and Step Brothers.

5. Universal Studios. 12.2 percent of United States/Canadian market share (2007 data) belongs to Universal Studios, which continues to make millions for the film industry. More hits as the series of Bourne (Bourne Identity, the Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum), the American Pie series, Knocked Up, American Gangster and the Incredible Hulk, is very clear that Universal Studios knows what it takes to make money in this area.

6.20th century Fox. Also known as "Twentieth Century Fox," this company's production of films with great success makes 11.9 percent of United States/Canadian market share (2007 data). Some of the movies biggest and most successful by this Empire include the X-Men series, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Star Wars episodes II and III and the fantastic four.

Once again, if you're looking for a career in the film industry, the six companies listed above are the cream of the crop. If you have the opportunity to work for one of these companies, we do not recommend it.