(Cover) - EN Movies - This summer's box office has been given a boost thanks to the Pirates of the Caribbean and The Hangover sequels.

Takings are already up by 15 per cent over this time last year, thanks mainly to the huge success of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Strangers Tides starring Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow - which is sailing close to $1 billion. The Hangover Part II has made nearly $350 million.

It's not just the summer blockbusters that have enjoyed success however.

Terrence Malick's eagerly awaited The Tree of Life and Woody Allen's latest, Midnight in Paris, made strong box office openings thanks to positive word of mouth at Cannes. And movie bosses hope the success of those two dramas will force cinemagoers to take a chance on other like minded movies.

"If you can pick up the draft of those two films, hopefully that will establish longer legs for other pictures," said Jack Foley from Focus Pictures.

Other blockbusters lined up this summer include Captain America, the third Transformers movie and superhero blockbuster Green Lantern. (C) Cover Media