Marvel’s
Avengers: Endgame film has shattered American and global cinema records, raking
in just over $1.2 billion over the weekend in its box office debut and
instantly landing at the 18th place of Wikipedia’s list of the highest-grossing
films ever and reaching the milestone after just three days with weeks left to
earn more.
The
previous record-holder for an international film debut was Avengers: Infinity
War with $640 million.
While
South Africa box office statistics aren’t available yet and cinema revenue from
countries in East and West Africa will take a few days to funnel through, Disney
and Marvel’s 22nd film bringing the so-called “Infinity Saga” to a close has
become the first film ever to surpass making $1 billion worldwide in its cinema
debut, earning $859 million internationally.
While
South African box office data isn’t available yet, Avengers: Endgame so far led
to the highest opening weekend in film industry history in 44 markets outside
of the United States, including China, the United Kingdom, Australia, Korea,
Brazil, Mexico and Spain.
On
big-screen IMAX, Avengers: Endgame also broke global records becoming the
super-format’s new all-time worldwide opening record contributing $91.5 million
so far in tallied box office sales, bigger than the debut of Star Wars: The
Force Awakens. In 3D, Avengers: Endgame has also become the biggest global
cinema debut ever.
“Kevin Feige and the Marvel Studios team have continued to challenge notions
of what is possible at the movie theatre both in terms of storytelling and at
the box office,” says Alan Horn, chairperson of The Walt Disney Studios, in a
statement.
“Though Avengers: Endgame is far from an end for the Marvel
Cinematic Universe (MCU), these first 22 films constitute a sprawling
achievement, and this weekend’s monumental success is a testament to the world
they’ve envisioned, the talent involved, and their collective passion, matched
by the irrepressible enthusiasm of fans around the world.”
Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios president, says “From the
very beginning with Iron Man, all we’ve wanted to do was tell
stories that brought these characters to life on-screen the way we’ve
experienced them as fans of the comics”.
“That we’ve had so many other successes in this journey
leading to this unbelievable result with Avengers: Endgame has been almost
entirely due to the fans around the world who have supported us through it all."
"Our directors, Anthony and Joe Russo, and our writers, Christopher Markus and
Stephen McFeely, really brought this story home, and I am also incredibly
thankful for our cast and filmmakers from across the MCU and all who’ve worked
so hard to make these films the best they can be, including the amazing teams
at Marvel Studios and Disney. And of course, without Stan Lee and Jack Kirby,
none of this would have been possible”.
The directors Anthony and Joe Russo say “We poured our
heart and soul into Avengers: Endgame, hoping to tell a story that
would inspire audiences around the world. Our family of cast and crew felt
honoured 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.”
