Avengers: Infinity War

Weekend Box Office: On a High Note

There’s a new king in town. ‘The Force Awakens’ owned the opening weekend box office record for a couple years, but now another Disney title – the 19th chapter of its franchise – has dethroned it. With so many moviegoers flocking to see what all the hubbub was about, few other movies thrived in its wake.

With 18 lead-in features over a ten-year span, it’s no wonder that ‘Avengers: Infinity War‘ was able to whip up the both the biggest domestic and worldwide opening records this weekend. In North America, its $250 million debut was $2 million more than ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’. Overseas, it premiered in approximately 72% of markets, where it grossed a massive $380 million – and that was without an opening in China! The $630 million worldwide debut is also a new high. ‘Infinity War’ has already earned half of what ‘Black Panther’ has made – and in just three days! An extremely high bar has been set. Considering how strong the word-of-mouth and critical praise are for ‘Infinity War’, the yet-to-be-titled fourth Avengers movie that will hit theaters next summer has the potential to reach even higher.

With ‘Avengers’ stealing away 84% of the weekend’s market share, almost every other movie in theaters took a hit. Four-week-old ‘A Quite Place‘ slipped back into second place with its first steep decline in attendance. Dropping 49%, it added $10.6 million to its domestic earnings, which are now up to $148.1 million. With $87.2 million in foreign ticket sales, the thriller now has $235.3 million worldwide.

Amy Schumer’s ‘I Feel Pretty‘ also dropped 49%. Finishing in third place, it made $8.1 million and now has a domestic total of $29.5 million. This means that Schumer’s PG-13 comedy took ten days to earn what 2015’s ‘Trainwreck’ did in less than three days. If that doesn’t make Schumer look like a flash in the pan, I don’t know what does. It will take a miraculous international run for STX to turn a profit with this movie.

Dwayne Johnson is having the same problem with ‘Rampage‘, which closed this weekend at #4. At least it had the support of high international ticket sales to help it out. Falling 65% in its third week, the film added $7.1 million to its $77.9 million domestic earnings. Fortunately for the $120 million movie, its foreign totals are up to $256.7 million, giving it a worldwide gross of $334.6 million.

Although 11-week-old ‘Black Panther‘ was in the #8 spot last weekend, it saw a hearty boost thanks to ‘Infinity War’. Moviegoers either needed to catch up prior to seeing ‘Avengers’ or they simply wanted to revisit Wakanda again before or after seeing ‘Avengers’. Falling just 11% from last week, it grossed $4.3 million and climbed back to fifth place. The film’s North American total sits at $688 million and its foreign total is at $643.2 million. With $1.3 billion worldwide, it’s currently the box office champ of 2018 – but that won’t last for much longer.

One of the weekend’s limited releases had great turnout. The other, not so much.

The Rachel McAdams/Rachel Weisz drama ‘Disobedience‘ played extremely well at each of its five locations. With a $241,276 debut, it ended the weekend with a strong $48,255 per-screen average.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Halle Berry/Daniel Craig drama ‘Kings‘ could only muster $173,113 from 214 screens. The $809 per-screen average gives its disappointing launch perspective.

On a completely unrelated note, after more than seven years on staff with High-Def Digest, I bid you all a bittersweet goodbye. Six years ago, I took a real job with an excellent company. I recently accepted an assignment (with the company) that will relocate me and my family to the Great White North (Toronto, Canada) for the next 18 to 24 months. I’ve loved my time with High-Def Digest. I’ve loved your comments (especially those that criticized my hatred of movies that everyone else loves) and participation. I’m picky with the sites that I frequent, but you’ll definitely still see me around the forums and the comments here. To quote one of my favorite films that nearly all of you hate: “I’ll see you in another life… when we’re both cats.”

Top 10:

1. ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (Buena Vista) – $250,000,000

2. ‘A Quiet Place’ (Paramount) – $10,650,000

3. ‘I Feel Pretty’ (STX) – $8,130,000

4. Rampage’ (Warner Bros.) – $7,105,000

5. ‘Black Panther’ (Buena Vista) – $4,381,000

6. ‘Super Troopers 2’ (Fox) – $3,600,000

7. ‘Blumhouse’s Truth or Dare’ (Universal) – $3,210,000

8. ‘Blockers’ (Universal) – $2,945,000

9. ‘Ready Player One’ (Warner Bros.) – $2,435,000

10. ‘Traffik’ (Lionsgate) – $1,620,000

13 comments

  1. Chaz Dumbaugh

    Dude no, you cant leave too……Booooooooo

    But seriously, best of luck my friend, you will be missed here with your reviews and commentary…..definitely hope to still see you posting here in the future though 🙂

  2. I swear that $250,000,000.00 looks like a fake number.

    I contributed to that with three tickets…two for Thursday night, then one more Friday morning. I plan on going back at least once more with my Movie Pass (that I never use). I also plan on buying this movie in 4k, as well as 3D. Hopefully that will all be one bundle. This movie has pretty much secured $100 from me (at least).

  3. theHDphantom

    $630 million…wow…. And just think, next year’s Avengers film will probably make even more in it’s first weekend! Congrats to Disney/Marvel for making a great film and having a terrific marketing campaign for it. Can’t wait to get the 3D blu-ray later this year.

    And best of luck to you, Luke. Wish you well in your new adventures!

  4. Chris B

    Welcome to the great white north Luke! Enjoy the free health care and superior beer while you’re here!

  5. Timcharger

    Goodbye Luke.
    From Utah to Toronto. Trading in Sundance for TIFF, I guess.
    We needed your “Spoiler Alert” rebukes for Last Jedi and Civil War. Civil discourse in dissenting opinions, so necessary.
    May you now find a 70mm screen that doesn’t require a >500 mile road trip.
    Best of luck to you.

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