Avengers: Infinity War took in an estimated $630 million US globally during its opening weekend, making box office history. It decimated the record of 2017’s The Fate of The Furious, which held the previous weekend record of $542 million. The latest Avengers film, which centres on the Marvel superheroes battling Thanos, has yet to open in China, which will boost its numbers even higher.
The film earned an estimated $250 million in the United States and Canada alone, beating the all-time opening weekend record held by 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($248 million).
Industry tracker Exhibitor Relations released the estimates, reported BBC. Official figures expected to be released late Monday but rarely deviate from estimates.
Filmmaking siblings Joe and Anthony Russo directed Infinity War, which cost between $300 and $400 million to make. It features a bunch of A-list stars, including Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chadwick Boseman, and Chris Pratt. Its release marks a decade since Iron Man hit theaters—a film that launched a slew of superhero films in Hollywood.
The first Avengers film was released in 2012 and Avengers: Age of Ultron came out in 2015. The final Avengers film is set for release in spring 2019.
Ryan Reynolds, who plays Deadpool, wrote on Twitter: “From a guy who never knows when to quit, I’m glad you guys never did. Congrats #Avengers.” He included a note from Tony Stark, AKA Iron Man, purportedly to Deadpool that reads: “Re: Joining the Avengers. No. Absolutely not. Go bother Professor X. No.”
Every single film that holds the top five of opening weekends of all time is either a sequel or spin-off:
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018) $630 million
- The Fate of the Furious (2017) $542 million
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) $529 million
- Jurassic World (2015) $526 million
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011) $483 million
