Wow. According to a press release, Joss Whedon’s The Avengers is expected to cross $600 million at the domestic box office today, Tuesday, June 25. It has been in theaters for 53 days.
Here are some of the major milestones crossed: The Avengers now becomes one of only three films that have surpassed $600M, the other two belong to James Cameron - Titanic (with $658M) and Avatar (with $760M). The Avengers also ranks as the third-highest-grossing film globally, posting a staggering $1.43 billion (that's billion with a "B.")
Whedon’s The Avengers got off to a fast start, earning $207.4 million in its opening weekend back on May 4, but the all-star superhero adventure – which arrived on the heels of origin stories for Iron Man, Thor The Incredible Hulk and Captain America -- has shown impressive legs, remaining in the Top 10 on the summer blockbuster budget charts since opening and holding off all competitors. To date, The Avengers now holds the record for fastest film to reach $200 million (3 days), $300 million (9 days), $400 million (14 days), and $500 million (23 days). It also has the record for the highest Saturday ($69.5 million) and Sunday ($57 million) totals.
The next obvious question becomes, "How long will these records stand?" Can Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises give The Avengers a run for its box office money? You know that trackers will be playing close attention to that heated battle once Nolan’s third and final Batman movie opens on July 20. Where are you putting your money? On the Hulk or the Bat?
