‘Avengers: Endgame’ Rests At $357M+ Opening Record; Eyes $33M+ Monday & Record $180M 2nd Frame; Weekend Biz Hits $401M+ High
FINAL UPDATE, Monday PM: All numbers are in, and Disney/Marvel’s record domestic weekend moola marathon for Avengers: Endgame will settle at $357.1M. Disney called the weekend at $350M, but when you’re dealing with such high numbers and records, you don’t want to walk any money back on Monday. The rest of the town knew it was north of $354M on Sunday morning.
Today we hear that Endgame is poised to make $33M-$35M which is awesome and easily the third best Monday of all-time, behind Black Panther‘s all-time Presidents Day haul of $40.15M and the first Monday after Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($40.1M). Fandango reported earlier this morning that the crazy presales haven’t stopped. Endgame‘s second weekend is poised to be a record, beating Force Awakens ($149.2M); we’re hearing $180M-$200M at this point in time, which is between -45% and -50%.
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Imax showtimes over the weekend earned $26.5M at 412 theaters, or 7.4% of the weekend (unchanged from yesterday). Eight of the top ten theaters and 21 of the top 25 were Imax. Per screen was $64K. Overall, Endgame was easily the biggest Imax Marvel opening of all-time, but 2nd to The Force Awakens. Endgame, after Infinity War, was the second film to be shot in the large format. 3D, including RealD systems, PLF and Imax, in the U.S. repped 20% of business or $71.4M.
Because of Endgame, the entire box office weekend for all films hit an all-time record of $401.65M per ComScore, of which Disney/Fox owned 94% of the business. That weekend was 28% ahead of the same weekend a year ago when Infinity War opened, and 266% ahead of the previous sleepy Easter weekend. In terms of that running domestic B.O. gap between 2019 and 2018, Endgame shrunk it from -16% before the weekend began to -11%. For the Jan. 1-April 28 frame, 2019 counts $3.34B to the same period a year ago of $3.77B.
And then the almighty question which the trades have been kicking around today: does Endgame beat Avatar‘s $2.78B to become the highest grossing title of all-time? Still too soon to predict. Some say that movies like Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($2.06B) had the benefit of playing the holiday, and holding on to screens since there weren’t any non-event films on screen. However, there is no major event pics standing in Endgame‘s way offshore until Memorial Day weekend with Disney’s Aladdin, followed the next weekend by Warner Bros./Legendary’s Godzilla: King of Monsters. Clicking past the second biggest pic of all-time Titanic‘s $2.1B, seems reasonable per sources, but based on past contenders for the Avatar crown, some predict Endgame doesn’t beat it worldwide, but gets close. Endgame will certainly topple Avatar in North America ($760.5M), but we hear that the Avatar grosses in markets like Germany, Japan, Spain will be tough to beat.
The weekend’s final top 20 films per ComScore:
Avengers: Endgame (Dis) , $357.1M, 4,662 locations, $76,601 average, $357.1M, 1 Wk.
Captain Marvel, (Dis), $8.3M, 2,435 locations, $3,414 average, $413.8M, 8 Wk.
The Curse Of La Llorona (NL/WB), $8M, 3,372 locations, $2,386 average, $41.8M, 2 Wk.
Breakthrough, (Dis/Fox), $6.8M, 2,913 locations, $2,337 average, $26.6M, 2 Wk.
Shazam!, Warner Bros., $5.6M, 3,631 locations, $1,538 average, $131.2M, 4 Wk.
Dumbo, (Dis), $3.4M, 2,380 locations, $1,468 average, $107.3M, 5 Wk.
Little, (Uni), $3.5M, 2,119 locations, $1,639 average, $35.9M, 3 Wk.
Pet Sematary, Paramount, $1.3M, 1,655 locations, $799 average, $52.6M, 4 Wk.
Us, Universal, $1.18M, 1,255 locations, $936 average, $172.8M, 6 Wk.
Penguins (Dis), Disney, $1.1M, 1,815 locations, $629 average, $5.8M 2 Wk.
Missing Link, United Artists Releasing, $1.07M, 1,588 locations, $671 average, $15.5M, 3 Wk.
Amazing Grace, Neon Rated, $520K, 245 locations, $2,121 average, $2.1M, 4 Wk.
After, Aviron Pictures, $403K, 607 locations, $664 average, $11.6M, 3 Wk.
Hellboy, Lionsgate, $355K, 927 locations, $382 average, $21.5M 3 Wk.
The Mustang (Foc), $292K, 277 locations, $1,053 average, $4.5M, 7 Wk.
Kalank, Fox International Productions, $279K, 283 locations, $985 average, $2.4M, 2 Wk.
How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, Universal, $237K, 282 locations, $842 average, $159.6M, 10 Wk.
Wonder Park, Paramount, $188K, 249 locations, $755 average, $45M, 7 Wk.
Hotel Mumbai, Bleecker Street, $168K, 170 locations, $991 average, $9.26M, 6 Wk.
Red Joan, IFC Films, $159K, 45 locations, $3,540 average, $216K, 2 Wk.
8TH UPDATE/Writethru, 2ND Sunday AM following Saturday 6:19 AM and Friday 10:14 PM updates: The mindblowing mushrooming of Avengers: Endgame‘s box office weekend continues with early AM estimates for the Disney/Marvel pic showing $109M record for the day, that’s 31% down from Friday’s record $158.3M. Disney is calling the weekend at $350M, but industry estimates see it higher at $354.4M and they’re figuring a Sunday of $87.3M, -20% from Saturday. Disney sees a $84.3M Sunday. Either way, it’s a record Sunday haul beating Infinity War‘s $69.2M.
Note, Saturday is technically higher than Friday, if you back out the record $60M Thursday night previews. That would put Friday at $98.3M, and Saturday’s ticket sales at a 11% surge.
Endgame‘s Friday outstrips Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ previous opening and single day record of $119.1M by $39.2M, and Saturday beats Avengers: Infinity War‘s previous Saturday record of $82.1M by $26.9M.
Consider how staggering Endgame‘s $350M opening weekend is. That 3-day is close to $100M higher than the previous $257.6M debut record set by Avengers: Infinity War and Force Awakens’ $247.96M start. ComScore/Screen Engine reported yesterday that 62% of this weekend’s audience bought their tickets online ahead of time, while 36% purchased tickets at the theater. Reports of people literally taking off from work on Friday are abundant. No one wanted to miss this film and read about it on social media.
Refresh section for updated figures: Because of Endgame, the overall box office weekend for all titles is the biggest ever with estimates near $400M. We’ll have an update later this morning. The highest weekend of all-time was a year ago, when Infinity War led all titles to a $314M three-day. This year? Thanks to Endgame, the weekend box office is soaring to . And it’s not just Disney/Marvel who gets to bathe in this cash, but exhibitors, concession suppliers, Imax, Dolby, Fandago, Atom tickets; this is an industry ripple effect in which many parties have a share in the Endgame box office. The rays of this Marvel film shine on many. Imax’s Friday ticket sales for Endgame were $12M (including Thursday night) which is a $29.2K screen average, and 20% higher than Avengers: Infinity War‘s opening Friday. So far, it’s the biggest global opening for Imax with $52.1M through Friday.
So how does the success of Endgame impact that large -17% deficit between the 2019 and 2018 U.S./Canada B.O.? Heading into the weekend, the 2019 B.O. totaled $2.945B to 2018’s $3.5B for the period of Jan. 1 to April 25, per ComScore. Essentially, by Sunday, at the low-end of that range, the gap should whittle down to -13%, with 2019 totaling $3.35B to 2018’s $3.86B over the same period. On the high end, 2019 would still lag behind 2018 by 13%. That’s a difference of a little more than a half billion. Of that –$274.5M– is the difference between Black Panther and Captain Marvel‘s running totals at the same point last year (as of Sunday).
Avengers is strong from Maine to Maui. 3-D accounted for 20% of the take, while PLFs were 11% and IMAX 9%.
Interesting tidbits updated through EOD Saturday: 5 runs grossing over $500K (AMC Empire NY 577K, AMC Orange 574K, AMC LSQ 542K & Regal Spectrum Irvine 504K, AMC Burbank 501K), 11 runs over $400k, 51 runs over $300K, $200 runs over $200K, 404 runs over $150K, and 837 runs over $100K
Updated demos from Disney: 57% males, 43% females. 71% adults, 18% families, 11% teens.
Updated PostTrak as of Friday night: Parents and kids still were in the minority at 23%, with 77% general audiences. Definite recommend upticked from 83% on Thursday night to 85%. Men under 25 became the leading demo repping 35%, men over 25 are now 28%, females under 25 were at 19%, and females over 25 were 18%. Five stars among parents and general audiences. Kids at 12 a tad more critical at 4 1/2. Diversity breakdown is 44% Caucasian, 21% Hispanic, 15% African American, and 20% Asian/other.
CinemaScore audiences gave Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe its third A+ for Endgame following The Avengers and Black Panther.
“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,” said Alan Horn, Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios in a statement. “Though Endgame is far from an end for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, 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.”
“From the very beginning with Iron Man, all we’ve wanted to do was tell stories that brought these characters to life onscreen the way we’ve experienced them as fans of the comics,” said Kevin Feige, President, Marvel Studios. “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.”
Said directors Anthony and Joe Russo, “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 honored 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.”
Studio reported Sunday estimates as of 10am:
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Estimates as of Sunday 5AM:
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4th UPDATE, Friday Midday: It’s even bigger than originally seen this morning. Disney/Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame is tearing up all the record books with a $140 million-$150 million opening day, blasting away Star Wars: The Force Awakens‘ first-day and single-day records of $119.1M. Industry estimates have Endgame‘s weekend between $315M-$330M, but don’t be stunned if it goes higher. The entire industry is in a complete state of shock.
Streaming crushing the theatrical business? Um, don’t think so. This is what happens when you have a great movie that the entire world wants to see, and exhibition and theatrical truly work together to make it a major success. The results here of Avengers: Endgame also raises the stakes for other rivals to build movies of Endgame proportions. That said, Disney/Marvel has already raised the stakes, and they will own 13 of the top 20 domestic openings of all time by Sunday. Even more impressive, they’ll own 11 of the top 12 openings of all time by Sunday. (Universal’s Jurassic World opening at $208.8M is the only rival ranked in the top 12.)
The No. 2 pic of the weekend is Disney’s own Captain Marvel in its eighth week with $7M and a $412.5M running cume by Sunday. She is benefiting greatly from Endgame. A year ago, Black Panther ranked fourth against the opening of Infinity War with $4.7M in Weekend 11 and a running $688.3M total.
New Line’s Shazam! and The Curse of La Llorona are fighting over third with $6.5M apiece right now. That will put Shazam! in Weekend 4 at $132.1M stateside and Llorona in Weekend 2 at $40.2M. Disney/Fox’s faith-based title Breakthrough in Weekend 2 is eyeing $6.2M, off 45%, for a 10-day of $26M.
3rd UPDATE, Friday 9:02 AM: One exhibition source says that the amount of business that Avengers: Endgame is doing “is ridiculous.” Off of 9 AM shows alone today, big venues like the AMC 25 Empire in NYC are making $175K, NYC Lincoln Square counts $161K, Regal E-Walk has $78K, while the Edwards Irvine is seeing $145K.
Industry estimates are seeing $130M-$140M for Friday including $60M in previews. “I don’t see how the pic doesn’t get to $300M-plus,” said one rival distribution exec.
Exhibition has added every seat and screen to accommodate the demand and will continue to do so if need be, which mitigates the film’s three-hour running time. Should Endgame miss the $300M threshold and recess due to frontloading, well, big deal: Disney will have notched another record domestic opening weekend, besting Infinity War‘s $257.6M, and exhibition is rolling in rental dough and popcorn money.
2nd UPDATE, Friday AM: A three-hour-plus running time didn’t prevent Disney/Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame from beating Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($57M) for the top-grossing Thursday preview ever in the U.S. and Canada, making $60M. After a sleepy Easter weekend, the big-screen business is alive and kicking.
We’ll see what the front-loading looks like as the weekend goes on. Fifty percent of Force Awakens’ Friday came from Thursday previews, so it wouldn’t be a shocker if the Russo Brothers-directed sequel lands the best opening day of all time with $120M-plus, beating Star Wars Episode VII‘s $119.1M. Read below for the pic’s awesome exits and frenzy Thursday night.
Endgame was the second film in history to be shot entirely with Imax cameras, and it grossed $4.8M last night at 412 of the large-format exhib’s hubs. It’s Imax’s third-highest previews behind The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi and is tracking 17% ahead of Avengers: Infinity War.
UPDATED EXCLUSIVE, Friday AM after Thursday 7:04 PM post:
As of early last night Los Angeles time, Disney/Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame grossed $43M from showtimes that started at 6 PM, however, this morning, many believe that a record-toppling Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Thursday night ($57M) is in store. Disney typically reports around 8 AM. Off early-evening shows, Endgame already has set a Marvel Thursday night/preview record, besting the $39M made by Avengers: Infinity War a year ago.
Meanwhile, among films already in full play, guess what was No. 1 last night? Captain Marvel, which made an estimated $1.3M to New Line’s The Curse of La Llorona‘s $998K. Captain Marvel‘s running total through seven weeks is $405.5M.
As of midnight in New York City on 42nd Street in the famed intersection between AMC 25 and the Regal, the AMC had Endgame showtimes available into the late night with 1:45 a.m., 2:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. showtimes with 3D midnight shows sold out. Meanwhile, across the street at the Regal, shows were sold out into the wee hours of the morning, with only 3:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. available.
Said AMC CEO Adam Aron this morning: “With wildly enthusiastic critic and fan reviews, interest in Avengers: Endgame has continued to grow beyond even the most optimistic projections. AMC wants everyone to be able to participate in this national cultural event of seeing Avengers: Endgame now on the big screen. So, at AMC Theatres, we have set aside approximately 10 million seats and 58,000 showtimes for this historic event. AMC has dedicated more seats and more showtimes behind this film’s opening than for any other movie in our history. While ticket sales to date have been incredibly robust, we still have millions of available seats for those making last-minute decisions to go to the movies in theaters this weekend and share in the euphoria.”
Screen Engine/ComScore PostTrak exits exploded with 5 stars and a huge 83% definite recommend. Parents gave the pic 4 stars, and kids under 12 were pleased, giving it 5 stars. General audiences made up 79% of the crowd, with kids numbering 11% and parents at 9%. Leading general demos were men over 25 at 35% (90% positive), men under 25 at 30% (loved it the most at 94%), with females under and over 25 equally split at 18% (women under loved it at 90%, while over gave the pic 89%).
Fifty-four percent of those who watched Thanos and company last night said it’s part of a franchise they like, while close to a third said they’re going to see it a second time in a theater, with 27% saying they’ll buy the Russo Brothers-directed sequel on Blu-Ray.
Diversity breakdowns were 44% Caucasian, 22% Hispanic, 15% African American (they gave Endgame a 100% score) and 15% Asian.
Last night’s box office figures do not come from Disney but from Deadline sources.
Force Awakens’ Thursday repped 48% of its first day Friday of $119.1M for a $247.9M three-day. Giving Endgame some cushion are K-12 schools on break: 11% were off Thursday and 13% today. There’s also 4% colleges on break.
Note that Endgame previews started an hour earlier than Infinity War‘s, which were at 7 PM. That pic’s $39M Thursday repped 37% of its Friday ($106.3M), which resulted in the domestic opening weekend of all-time with $257.6M. Many believe Endgame will feasibly break that.
Thursday’s gargantuan numbers for the Avengers grand finale make sense: Deadline learned from industry sources earlier this week that overall pre-sales were between $120M-$140M before opening. Also, Fandango reported today that Endgame was their top preseller ever, from Hawaii to New Hampshire, with exhibitors scrambling to add new showtimes.
As Nancy reported yesterday, Avengers: Endgame amassed $169M overseas in its first day which includes China’s opening day record of $107.5M.
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