A number of blockbuster films helped lift a tepid year at the box office as movie fans flocked to films with familiar names in 2011.<br/> Leading the way was the latest chapter in the highly profitable Harry Potter franchise, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2." It was the year's top earner, taking in 1.3 billion dollars (USD) globally.<br/> That was followed by "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," which took in 1.1 billion, despite the departure of starlet Megan Fox, who was dropped from the film.<br/> The latest edition of the "Twilight" franchise, "Breaking Dawn," rounded out the years top three, taking in 642 million dollars.<br/> Not all films found success at the box office.<br/> Ryan Reynold's "Green Lantern" found few fans while "Cowboys and Aliens" - a hybred sci-fi western - fell flat.<br/> John Russell, Reuters.
