Avengers Endgame: Encore Could Give Marvel The Biggest Box Office Record Of Them All

There was a time when the Marvel Cinematic Universe was the unquestioned king of the hill in Hollywood. That was never more true then in 2019 when "Avengers: Endgame" took the MCU to its record-shattering box office peak. Now, more than seven years later, Marvel Studios is re-releasing its biggest movie ever as it gears up for "Avengers: Doomsday." Dubbed "Avengers Endgame: Encore," the re-release has some hype. But does it have enough hype to earn back the biggest box office record of them all?

Arriving in theaters next weekend, "Avengers Endgame: Encore" is currently expected to pull in somewhere between $19 and $28 million domestically, per Box Office Theory. That would be a stellar number for a re-release of any movie. "Endgame" made $2.79 billion in its original run, so anything at this point is icing on an already well iced cake. Still, can it make enough to give Marvel the number one film of all time once again?

"Endgame" officially surpassed "Avatar" as the highest-grossing movie of all time in its original run. James Cameron's groundbreaking blockbuster had made $2.78 billion up to that point. But it was a record that wouldn't stand for too long because Cameron found a way to come roaring back and took back the crown for himself.

Thanks to a very successful re-release in 2022, "Avatar" became the biggest movie of all time twice. Its running total stands at $2.923 billion worldwide. Disney and Marvel Studios need "Endgame" to pull in about $124.3 million to once again take the number one spot. That is potentially within reach.

If we look at the numbers a little more closely, "Avengers: Endgame" made a little more than 69%, or $1.94 billion, of its money overseas. Granted, a lot has changed in the industry in the years since, including a general decline in interest overseas (in many cases) for Hollywood movies. In particular, Hollywood can no longer depend on China, one of the biggest moviegoing markets in the world.

Setting that aside for a moment: If we assume a roughly equivalent global split for this "Encore" re-release, that means it could take in at least $42 million internationally during its opening frame outside of North America. Coupled with domestic grosses, that would put it over/under $60 million on a single weekend. That's undoubtedly going to be front-loaded with MCU superfans, but if there is a slight over-performance and an even so-so hold in the second weekend? The record isn't off the table.

It's easy to forget just how much of a cultural moment this film was. "Avengers: Endgame" snapped up a box office record with a $1.2 billion global opening. That's still the biggest worldwide opening of all time. For whatever one may wish to say about the unevenness of the MCU's Multiverse Saga, there is a tremendous amount of love for the franchise's characters and this movie especially.

Beyond that, Marvel is also dangling a pretty big carrot when it comes to this re-release. "Avengers: Doomsday" is hitting theaters in December, and there will be some extra footage attached to the "Encore" edition. That could motivate hardcore fans to get off the couch and head to a theater.

Directors Joe and Anthony Russo, aka. the Russo Brothers, have dubbed "Avengers: Endgame" required viewing ahead of "Avengers: Doomsday." That might further fuel fans to get out to theaters and see the MCU at its commercial peak once again. There is an argument to be made that the added footage is sort of cheating when it comes to any potential records that may or may not result from this re-release, but that's a conversation for another day.

Aside from this being good business for Disney and Marvel Studios, it's a wise way to remind people of what they used to love about the MCU. And despite some online cynicism, excitement appears to be high. "Avengers: Doomsday" has already set a major box office record for Marvel, selling more than $50 million worth of advance tickets at the 100 day mark before its release. Attaching some extra footage to a movie people already love is a good way to help set the right tone.

It also can't be overlooked that "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" became just the eighth movie ever to make $2 billion or more at the box office, and it's currently in the number three spot of all time with $2.4 billion and counting to its name. That has motivated Marvel fans to love this stuff once again in a way that nothing on Marvel Studios' 2025 slate did. This might, in turn, help pave the way for this re-release to sell more tickets than anyone currently expects it to.

Watch out, "Avatar." Your days as the king of the hill may soon be numbered.

"Avengers Endgame: Encore" hits theaters on September 25, 2026.