We still have nine more days (yes… I’m counting down) until the release of Joss Whedon’s ‘The Avengers’ here in the states but the film opened today in many overseas venues. And, as is to be expected, ‘Avengers Assemble’ (that’s the film’s title in many overseas markets) is blasting box office records left and right.
According to Deadline, early reports are coming in that the film has garnered around $6 million in Australia, $1.2 million in Taiwan, and $700 thousand in New Zealand for a total so far of nearly $8 million… and those are US dollars! That enormous haul earns ‘The Avengers’ the number two spot in highest-grossing openings of all time in Australia, bested only by ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2’.
As far as superheroes go, ‘The Avengers’ $6 million opening bested both ‘Iron Man 2’ and ‘The Dark Knight’ and making it not only the biggest superhero movie but also the best opening ever for a Disney film at the Australian box office. The Deadline reports that ‘Dark Knight’ only made $2.5 million on opening day and ‘Iron Man 2’ only $1.8. I find it amusing that the numbers put out by ‘Avengers’ have me referring to millions of dollars as “only”.
In possibly bigger news, in Taiwan ‘The Avengers’ has toppled the massive juggernaut that was ‘Battleship’ by 173%. And, as surprised as I was that ‘Battleship’ even managed to take that spot, I am definitely not shocked that it’s ‘The Avengers’ that snatched that title away.
The film opens in many other European markets tomorrow and I expect that it’ll take the top spot in those markets as well. And, when it finally arrives here in the states on May 4th, I am looking forward to the long lines of costume-wearing fans camping out in anticipation of possibly the biggest superhero film ever made.
How much will this beast of a movie bring in? I guess that depends on how many screens theaters can cram it onto and how many theater employees they can get to take the overtime to staff all of the showings.
How about you? Are you going to see ‘Avengers’ on opening weekend? Why am I even asking that? If you’re reading this site, of course you are! But seriously… comment below and let us know your ‘Avengers’ movie-going plans.
