With just two weeks to go for its release, Avengers: Infinity War is generating a buzz so unprecedented in superhero movie history it’s hard to describe in words. So we’re not even going to attempt that. Instead, we’ll use some numbers that will hopefully shed light on what a juggernaut directors Anthony & Joe Russo’s MCU project is expected to be at the box-office. According to tracking estimates by Box Office Pro, the movie could be heading for a massive $235 – $255 million domestic opening which could take it beyond Star Wars: The Force Awakens for the biggest US opening weekend of all time. And very bizarrely, that’s merely the tip of the iceberg.
The second figure we’re about to share is even more earth-shattering. According to Fandango, one of the premier ticket selling websites in the US, Avengers: Infinity War has pre-sold more than twice the tickets Black Panther did and is outselling the advance ticket sales of the last 7 Marvel Cinematic Universe movies combined. To put this in simpler and perhaps more effective words, Avengers: Infinity War has sold more advance tickets than Ant-Man, Captain America: Civil War, Doctor Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Thor: Ragnarok and Black Panther combined. Take a deep breath and let the gravity of that sink in for a moment. This is not made-up stuff but comes directly from such venerable sources as Fandango and The Hollywood Reporter.
Despite least doubting the news, there might be a level of exaggeration at play here. Regardless, it’s not hard to believe that Infinity War can attain a $250 million opening figure in its first 3 days. Also, the fact that it’s getting a near-global release in most territories simultaneously means it should break worldwide opening weekend records set by such movies as The Fate of the Furious ($541.9 million), Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($529 million) and Jurassic World ($525.5 million). Infinity War could potentially end its run with a $650 million at the US box-office and could even reach $2 billion worldwide if it has strong legs. Even a $600 million worldwide opening number could be well within the reach at this stage. Such rampant is the activity surrounding the movie that even the tiniest bit of footage, news or rumors released send media outlets into a flurry of activity and posts to cover it. That the Russo Brothers and MCU Architect Kevin Fiege have managed to keep the plot a secret amidst all this craze is astonishing to say the least.
The next step that will probably spur up even more excitement for the movie would be when the embargo for reviews lifts. With Marvel movies, the embargo has generally been lifted much sooner as against closer to release. First reactions are already out and it shouldn’t be too long before full reviews start making their way online. I guess it’s futile to ask at this point but if you’re reading this blog, you’re probably one of those who are going to want to catch Infinity War on its opening weekend itself. Or at the very least, catch it sometime. Question is, are there any of you who’re not excited for this movie?
Avengers: Infinity War releases worldwide on April 27.
