'Avengers: Endgame' Powers Past $200M in China

The Marvel/Disney mega-tentpole is on track to earn more than $300 million in the country in its first weekend, well above original expectations.

Disney and Marvel Studios' superhero mega-tentpole Avengers: Endgame is powering its way into China's box office record books at astounding speed, crossing the $200 million mark in the Middle Kingdom early Friday evening Beijing time.

The film appeared set to finish the day with approximately $210 million-$220 million.

Endgame was released in China on Wednesday, two days before its U.S. debut. It bowed to $107.2 million, smashing the all-time single-day record previously held by local tentpole Monster Hunt 2 (2019) at $85 million.

Most analysts originally expected Endgame to bring in around $270 million during its five-day opening frame in China. But rave word of mouth among Chinese filmgoers is fueling the film to even greater heights. Leading local ticketing company Maoyan currently projects Endgame will end the weekend with about $324 million (RMB 2.189 billion).

Hollywood's reigning top three earners in China are Universal's The Fate of the Furious ($392.8 million/RMB 2.67 billion in 2017), Furious 7 ($390.9 million/RMB 2.43 billion in 2015) and last year's Avengers: Infinity War ($359.5 million/RMB 2.39 billion).

Endgame, which the Russo brothers shot simultaneously with Infinity War, is certain to crush them all — the only question is by how much. Maoyan now forecasts Endgame to earn at least $521 million (RMB 3.5 billion) in China over the course of its full run, which would give Disney credit for Hollywood's first half-a-billion-dollar showing in a single market outside of North America.

Endgame's already historic performance in China combined with North America's projected opening of $270 million-$300 million — another all-time best — means the movie could have a shot at becoming the first film to launch to more than $1 billion worldwide. A global start of $900 million-$950 million is all but assured.