Marvel’s blockbuster film “Avengers: Endgame” reclaimed its position as the highest-grossing movie ever over the weekend, excluding inflation. The movie raked in a total of $2.9255 billion in the US, narrowly surpassing James Cameron’s “Avatar,” which stood at $2.9237 billion.
This shift occurred after the recent re-release of “Endgame” in cinemas, marking the second time it has surpassed “Avatar” in box office earnings. The updated version of the superhero ensemble film, featuring an additional four minutes, premiered late last month and grossed $86 million globally ($26 million domestically), according to Disney.
The re-release served as a prelude to the upcoming film “Avengers: Doomsday” in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, set to premiere on Dec. 18. The movie will reintroduce familiar characters like Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans, aiming to regain audience interest following lukewarm receptions to recent entries like “Thunderbolts” and “Captain America: Brave New World.”
Among re-releases, only “Star Wars: A New Hope” (1997) and “The Lion King” (2011) have outperformed “Endgame” in domestic box office earnings. In 2019, “Endgame” set a new record when it surpassed “Avatar” shortly after its release.
James Cameron, the director behind “Avatar,” had held the top spot since 1998 with “Titanic” before being dethroned by “Endgame” in 2019. Despite losing the title, Cameron graciously congratulated Marvel on social media.
In a surprising turn of events, “Avatar” reclaimed its top position in 2021 after a re-release in China, surpassing “Endgame” with over $2.8 billion in earnings. The Russo brothers, directors of “Endgame,” acknowledged Cameron’s achievement and passed on their congratulations.
The box office landscape has been unpredictable, with Hollywood experiencing record-breaking domestic ticket sales in 2026. However, notable underperformers like “Disclosure Day” and “The End of Oak Street” failed to attract audiences despite star-studded casts.
On the other hand, unconventional films such as “Obsession,” “Resident Evil,” and “Backrooms” have garnered significant attention, indicating a growing interest among audiences in unique and unexpected content over traditional franchise offerings.