Earlier today, Paramount Pictures announced they topped all studios in 2011, with their movies grossing $5.17 billion worldwide. Buried within that press release was confirmation that the studio is moving ahead with Paranormal Activity 4, which will be released sometime later this year. Here's the excerpt from the studio's announcement.

"In 2012, Paramount's release slate highlights include World War Z, a zombie thriller starring Brad Pitt and directed by Marc Forster, G.I. Joe 2: Retaliation, the next installment in the global franchise starring Dwayne Johnson and Channing Tatum, a new chapter in the Paranormal Activity franchise, and The Dictator, starring Sacha Baron Cohen and directed by Larry Charles, the team behind Borat."

It is not known who will direct Paranormal Activity 4, although since each movie has had a different director, they will likely follow suit with a new director for the sequel. Oren Peli, Jason Blum, and Steven Schneider, who have produced all three movies, will also likely return to produce Paranormal Activity 4.

Paranormal Activity 3, which was released back in October, took in $56 million in U.S. theaters and more than $200 million worldwide. Paranormal Activity 3 arrives on Blu-ray and DVD January 24.