Marvel’s The Avengers is finally upon us, well, technically only upon 39 countries right now. Still, that was enough to make it the 9th highest opener of all time internationally, no small feat mind you.
Back in 2008 Marvel started phase 1 of the Avengers initiative by releasing Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk in theaters. In 2010 we got Iron Man 2 while last year Thor and Captain America, arguably the hardest Avengers to adapt, graced the big screen with their adventures. Those films garnered success, some more than others (Iron Man 2 being the best seller worldwide with $623.9 million).
Phase 2 of the Avengers initiative made its debut in 39 countries last week and it did so with one hell of a bang, $185.1 million. That’s twice as much as Iron Man 2 on its opening and that film finished with $311.5 million internationally. Now as a long time Joss Whedon fan you could call me biased but The Avengers is a heck of a lot better than Iron Man 2 was and, as mentioned above, opened much much better. So basic math tells me that Marvel’s The Avengers is headed for over $600 million around the world (excluding the US), a new record for superhero movies. What basic math doesn’t cover is the fact that The Avengers has yet to open in territories like China, Russia or Japan, all extremely strong markets. So I’m going to call it right now, The Avengers won’t stop before hitting at the very least $700 million internationally. Add to that a most likely very healthy US gross and we might be looking at the first film of 2012 to pass the $1 billion mark worldwide. For now The Avengers stands at $218.2 million internationally but expect the film to pass the $500 million mark worldwide by the end of the week.
To find #2 we have to go way down where Battleship collected $22.5 million for a total of around $170 million so far. The former leader is set to open in the US on May 18th.
Titanic 3D added another $12.5 million in 3rd for an international re-release total of $260.6 million. At least for a few more days this remains the top grosser of 2012 outside the US. The overall worldwide figure for Titanic is now $2.16 billion.
American Reunion was 4th with $14.5 million. That means the comedy has made $128.9 million worldwide so far.
Rounding out the top 5 we have The Hunger Games with $7.4 million for a new international total of $228.5 million. Worldwide, the book adaptation has just passed the $600 million mark, a feat only 64 other films ever accomplished.
