Entertainment

Avengers: Endgame clobbers the competition with a record-breaking $1.2B opening weekend box office


Avengers: Endgame has sealed it’s place in history as one of the most financially successful films ever made.

The Disney/Marvel Studios film crushed numerous Hollywood records for a global first weekend box office of $1.2billion.

The superhero epic starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth and Brie Larson, among numerous others, was the number one film in the US with a $350million haul, which was aided by an $859million opening throughout other countries.

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Hulk smash! Avengers: Endgame smashed the competition with its record-breaking $1.2billion opening weekend haul; still from Avengers: Endgame

Hulk smash! Avengers: Endgame smashed the competition with its record-breaking $1.2billion opening weekend haul; still from Avengers: Endgame

Endgame broke the record for the fastest film to reach $1billion, which it managed in only five days, compared to the 11 days it took or the previous installment, Avengers: Infinity War.

The new film’s $350million domestic box office bested Infinity War’s $257.6million, and its $859million international earnings also outpaced the earlier movie’s $640.5million global haul. 

‘We poured our heart and soul into Avengers: Endgame, hoping to tell a story that would inspire audiences around the world,’ wrote the directors Joe and Anthony Russo in a statement. 

‘Our family of cast and crew felt honored to be entrusted with bringing the Infinity Saga to a close. To Kevin Feige, everyone at Disney and Marvel, and the incredible, global community of fans – thank you.’

After weeks of slow box office activity, the raised weekend revenue for the entire US box office to $397million, beating the previous record of $314million.

Whoa: Endgame only took five days to reach $1billion, compared to Avengers: Infinity War's 11 days; still from Avengers: Endgame

Whoa: Endgame only took five days to reach $1billion, compared to Avengers: Infinity War’s 11 days; still from Avengers: Endgame

Though the superhero flick boasts a rabid fanbase, it was also the beneficiary of primarily positive reviews.

It currently has a 96 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, second only to fellow Marvel film Black Panther. Endgame earned an A+ CinemaScore rating, an indicator of a massive box office success.

In order to accommodate the hoards of moviegoers hoping to see the conclusion to the Avengers sage, Disney placed the film in 4,662 theaters, giving it the largest domestic release in history.

At least 19 locations across the country stayed open 24 hours a day during opening weekend to meet demand for the action spectacle. 

With its success already assured, the next target for Endgame will be James Cameron’s 2009 spectacle Avatar, which became the top-grossing film ever after earning $2.78billion during it’s run.

Massive power: In order to accommodate the hoards of moviegoers hoping to see the conclusion to the Avengers sage, Disney placed the film in 4,662 theaters, giving it the largest domestic release in history; still from Avengers: Endgame

Massive power: In order to accommodate the hoards of moviegoers hoping to see the conclusion to the Avengers sage, Disney placed the film in 4,662 theaters, giving it the largest domestic release in history; still from Avengers: Endgame

Big coin: On top of the international amount, the blockbuster has already netted $350million at the US box office

Big coin: On top of the international amount, the blockbuster has already netted $350million at the US box office

Avengers: Endgame had already broken a box-office record in North America by becoming the first film to gross $156.7million in a single day.

The jaw-dropping sum included Friday screenings, as well as Thursday night previews.

The Disney and Marvel production toppled the previous record set by 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which made $119million in the same market over the course of a single day, according to Deadline.

Crushing it: Avengers: Endgame had already broken a box-office record in North America by becoming the first film to gross $156million in a single day

Crushing it: Avengers: Endgame had already broken a box-office record in North America by becoming the first film to gross $156million in a single day

The three-hour film, starring Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johannson and Bradley Cooper, began showing previews from 6 p.m., but fans were already lining up long before doors opened. 

On social media, moviegoers shared photos of long lines and packed cinemas right across the country.

In some cities, theaters stayed open all night with several cinemas even offering 4:30 a.m. screenings on Friday morning.

After arriving at a session in the wee hours, one fan wrote on Twitter: ‘This theater is f***ing packed at 3am. This is absolutely insane!’ 

Long waits: The three-hour film, starring Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johannson and Bradley Cooper, began showing previews from 6 p.m., but fans were already lining up long before doors opened

Long waits: The three-hour film, starring Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johannson and Bradley Cooper, began showing previews from 6 p.m., but fans were already lining up long before doors opened



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