Refresh for latest…: Disney/Marvels Avengers: Infinity War has pulled off a jaw-dropping feat, scoring the biggest global opening in history with an estimated $630M. That races it ahead of The Fate Of The Furious which previously held the record after gunning to $543M in its Easter launch last year. The superpowered bow for the Anthony Russo- and Joe Russo-directed battle to save the universe grossed a staggering $380M in 52 material markets at the international box office, with $250M domestically.
This 19th MCU entry blasted past what were already high expectations and has landed the teaming of Thor, Iron Man, Black Widow, Doctor Strange, the Guardians of the Galaxy and more as the No. 2 all-time overseas debut, behind The Fate Of The Furious ($444.2M). As weve noted throughout the weekend, this is a mighty accomplishment given the opening suite of markets on Infinity War did not include China or Russia (F8s did).
Internationally, Infinity War dislodged Jurassic World ($316.7M) at No. 2 (that movie also had China at open). In comps that did not include China at the bow, Infinity Wars overseas start blew past Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows – Part 2 ($314M) and Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($281M). Worldwide, only three movies had previously topped $500M in their openings: F8, The Force Awakens and Jurassic World.
Pre-opening indications from the industry saw a $275M international opening for Infinity War at the high end. No one was calling $300M+ until we saw how Friday was working overseas, but the ultimate $380M was “unexpected and unlike anything that anyone would have projected,” Disney Worldwide Distribution chief Dave Hollis tell Deadline. “Honestly, this is a result that goes unbelievably beyond what anyone would have expected. But its also a reflection of what 10 years of really methodical work and a great campaign, and an unbelievably strong movie and every single person being in the movie and what that means for driving people into cinemas,” he adds.
It was a perfect storm of the critically- and fan-praised picture playing well everywhere. In places where Marvel typically excels like Latin America, Infinity War “just exploded,” says Hollis who notes Mexicos $25.1M “is take your breath away.” And, markets that have not historically played as well (some of Europe, for example) “played far better than they ever have.”
The movie posted the highest opening weekend in industry history in Korea, India (non-local), the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Brazil, Central America, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Venezuela, Bolivia, South Africa, Turkey (non-local), the UAE and West Africa.
The Top 5 openings were in the UK ($42.2M), Korea ($39.2M), Mexico ($25.1M), Australia ($23M) and Brazil ($18.8M). China, which opens on May 11, is already showing very strong pre-sales.
In IMAX, Infinity War is the top Marvel debut ever with $41M globally including $18.5M international. The overseas gross exceeds The Force Awakens ($17.5M) to become the No. 1 offshore IMAX debut ever excluding China.
The estimated $630M worldwide opening translates into a gross of $15.39B for all 19 MCU films to date. Whats more, Black Panther this weekend passed Star Wars: The Last Jedi to claim the No. 9 spot on the all-time global charts with an estimated cume of $1,333.1M.
Breakdowns on Infinity War and other titles in the international marketplace are coming below.
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AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR
Ten years after Iron Man launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Avengers: Infinity War has taken it to breathtaking heights. The international start of $380M, logged the 2nd best debut of all time behind only The Fate Of The Furious which included China in its opening run whereas Infinity War doesnt get to the Middle Kingdom until May 11. Globally, the film rocketed to an all-time record of $630M.
A new benchmark for superhero movies, Infinity Wars international start has it pacing about 47% above Avengers: Age Of Ultron which finaled at $946.4M overseas (non-adjusted) and around 61% over Captain America: Civil War ($745.2M offshore final), based on like-for-like play. Both of those were the best comps coming into the weekend. The global launch is $28M off the lifetime of last years Justice League (non-adjusted dollars).
The mega mash-up of Avengers and Guardians got the lead out in 52 material markets, about 72% of the overseas footprint. Russia joins next weekend.
This weekend, A: IW was No. 1 in all markets and regionally grossed $161M in Asia Pacific, $144M in the EMEA countries and $75M in Latin America.
The lead play was the UK with $42.2M for the 3rd highest industry opening weekend of all time, the 2nd highest Disney opening weekend ever and the highest grossing Saturday ever. The market share was 78%.
Korea, at $39.2M was the top industry opening weekend in history with an amazing 95% of the market. Mexicos $25.1M is likewise the biggest launch ever and brought in 94% of the market.
Australia had the ANZAC holiday in early play and scored the 2nd biggest industry opening weekend ever (behind The Force Awakens) with 72% of moviegoers. The total there to date is $23M.
Brazil rounds out the Top 5 with the best opening weekend ever and 86% of the market for $18.8M.
Next on the list, India is just a staggering opening of $18.6M. This is the top Western industry opening of all time and after only three days is the No. 6 highest grossing Hollywood title ever beating the entire runs of The Avengers, Avengers: Age Of Ultron and Captain America: Civil War.
France ($17.7M) and Germany ($14.7M) marked the biggest superhero movie openings ever. Coming up next at $12.5M, the Philippines topped all previous openers with 97% of the market going to see A: IW. It is already the No. 3 movie ever. Italy grossed $11M and Thailand took $10M. Indonesia ($9.6M) also impressed with 96% of the market. Japan scored the No. 2 biggest MCU launch ever, behind Ultron with $9M.
Everything thats been done in the 17 films since Tony Stark first shot off in his armored red suit has been leading to this 19th MCU entry which boasted a global campaign of superhero proportions, as talent traveled to Sao Paolo, Mexico City, London, Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo and Shanghai. In the ultimate Top 5 of offshore markets, Marvel movies are consistently led by China with a mix of Korea, the UK, Brazil and Mexico rounding out the field.
Ahead, theres some clear runway before Deadpool 2 starts frolicking around the globe, and repeat viewing is almost essential on this complex epic which could hit $1B before it even gets to China.
HOLDOVERS/EXPANSIONS
RAMPAGE
Despite the arrival of the Avengers & Co, New Line/Warner Bros Rampage continued to flex some offshore muscle adding $16.2M in 61 markets. Thats a 72% drop from last weekend and will land it at No. 3 on the international chart this session, behind Infinity War and Middle Kingdom romance Us And Them which grossed $88.8M at home.
The Dwayne Johnson-starrer is still playing in China where it ranked No. 3 behind that movie and another new title, A Or B. The gross there is $127.2M to make it WBs 2nd biggest movie ever in the market.
The overseas cume on Rampage is now $256.7M for $334.6M global. Behind China, the Top 5 is rounded out by Mexico ($11.5M), Korea ($11.1M), the UK ($11M) and Malaysia ($6.8M). France opens this week, followed by Germany the week after and Japan the next.
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