2018 is shaping up to be a huge year for Marvel, with the studio’s first two superhero movies of the year Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War both setting records, and smashing the $1 billion mark in global box office receipts.

According to Deadline, Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther is set to generate around $461 million in profit for Marvel Studios through its theatrical run, home entertainment release and various TV deals, putting it well ahead of the likes of Avengers: Age of Ultron ($382.3 million) and Captain America: Civil War ($193.4 million).

The high level of profitability comes down to the cast and crew, none of whom have heavy back-end deals on the level of the likes of Robert Downey Jr. and Joss Whedon.

Black Panther has grossed $1.34 billion at the global box office, making it the ninth-highest grossing movie of all time and the third-highest grossing entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe… until Avengers: Infinity War surpasses it this week, that is.

SEE ALSO: Avengers: Infinity War went over budget, cost Marvel up to $450,000 per day during production

After the events of Captain America: Civil War, King T’Challa returns home to the reclusive, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to serve as his country’s new leader. However, T’Challa soon finds that he is challenged for the throne from factions within his own country. When two foes conspire to destroy Wakanda, the hero known as Black Panther must team up with C.I.A. agent Everett K. Ross and members of the Dora Milaje, Wakandan special forces, to prevent Wakanda from being dragged into a world war.

Black Panther sees Ryan Coogler (Creed) directing Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa alongside Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, Michael B. Jordan as Erik Killmonger, Danai Gurira as Okoye, Winston Duke as M’Baku, Forest Whitaker as Zuri, Daniel Kaluuya as W’Kabi, Angela Bassett as Ramonda, Florence Kasumba as Ayo, Martin Freeman as Everett Ross, Andy Serkis as Ulysses Klaue, Letitia Wright as Shuri, Sterling K. Brown as N’Jobu, John Kani as King T’Chaka and Nabiyah Be as Linda.