Before it has even been released to the masses in North America, Avengers: Endgame – the final film in the Avengers franchise – has already set box-office records.
Projected to earn north of $270 million in the US and Canada on its opening weekend, according to SBD, predictions may be rising after Endgame raked in a whopping $60 million in Thursday night preview showings alone.
According to CNN’s Frank Pallotta, that gives Endgame the biggest opening night in movie history, surpassing Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which earned $57 million.
Endgame’s $60 million hauls also dwarf part one of this two-film story arc, Avengers: Infinity War, which made a paltry $39 million last year.
It isn’t just American audiences that have flocked to the film in record numbers, either.
Released in China on Wednesday, Apr. 24th, it also set a new record for opening-day earnings in Asia’s largest movie market.
The initial projections for Endgame’s worldwide box-office gross were a little over $2 billion, total, prior to its release. In all likelihood, the early returns will lead to that number getting adjusted upwards.
There is still a huge gap between the initial $2 billion estimates and the all-time record of $2.78 billion held by Avatar, but if there’s one movie that can do it, it’s Endgame. It’s the perfect storm for a box-office juggernaut.
First, between Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner), and the rest of the star-studded cast, Endgame is replete with the necessary names to appeal to the masses.
Second, it’s getting almost universally positive reviews.
And third, it’s generating an unparalleled amount of fan conjecture on the internet. Infinity War and its final, death-filled scenes left everyone legitimately wondering which of these once-invincible heroes will actually survive the crucible. The only way to get a satisfying answer to that question is to see the movie.
American audiences anxious to help Endgame set the global box-office record can do their part starting today (Friday, Apr. 26) when the movie hits wide-release stateside.