Avengers Endgame Encore beats Avatar to become highest-grossing film in history

Avengers: Endgame has moved past Avatar again at the global box office after its re-release. The comeback came as Endgame Encore hit theatres globally ahead of Avengers: Doomsday and shows the film's continued pull across overseas markets.

In Short

• Avengers: Endgame reclaims highest-grossing film title, surpassing Avatar
• Endgame's re-release, Endgame Encore, boosted global earnings to $2.9255 billion
• Strong US opening with $26.1 million, total Encore earnings $126 million worldwide

Six years after it first claimed the global box office crown, Avengers: Endgame has done it again. The Marvel blockbuster has edged past James Cameron’s Avatar to become the highest-grossing film of all time, with its latest re-release giving it the extra push.

According to Box Office Mojo, Avengers: Endgame now stands at $2.9255 billion (Rs 2,81,337 crore) worldwide, narrowly ahead of Avatar at $2.9237 billion (Rs 2,81,155).

The comeback came courtesy of Avengers: Endgame Encore, which hit cinemas ahead of Avengers: Doomsday, the next major Marvel crossover arriving on December 18.

The re-release opened strongly in the US, taking $26.1 million (Rs 251 crore) in its first weekend. Its second weekend was quieter, bringing in $4.4 million. So far, Endgame Encore has made $126 million worldwide, including $36.2 million in North America and $89.8 million internationally.

China has been one of its biggest overseas markets, with the film earning $21.3 million and becoming the top non-local release there. It also led non-local films in Indonesia, Vietnam, Ecuador and Bolivia.

India has chipped in too, with Endgame Encore making $3.8 million (Rs 36.5 crore). The re-release has also performed strongly across Latin America, including $6.1 million in Mexico and $3.1 million in Brazil.

This isn't the first time Endgame has knocked Avatar off the throne. The Anthony and Joe Russo-directed film originally became the biggest film in history in 2019, before Avatar eventually reclaimed the title.

Now, Marvel's old champion is back on top – just in time for another big showdown.

On December 18, Avengers: Doomsday will arrive on the same day as Dune: Part Three. With the two films heading into what could be another huge box-office weekend, Endgame has already managed to steal the spotlight before its successor even arrives.

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