Avengers: Endgame Encore Re-Release Battles Resident Evil for Box Office Top Spot
Disney's re-release of 'Avengers: Endgame' is projected to top the domestic box office this weekend, narrowly edging out Zach Cregger's 'Resident Evil' reboot. Three new films, including Robert Pattinson's 'Primetime' and Brad Pitt's 'The Heart of the Beast,' are vying for third place, with 'Primetime' positioned to profit quickly due to its low budget.
Key points
- Disney is re-releasing 'Avengers: Endgame' as 'Avengers: Endgame Encore' starting September 25, 2026, to build momentum for the December release of 'Avengers: Doomsday.'
- The re-release is projected to gross between $25 million and $28 million, potentially placing it at No. 1, while 'Resident Evil' is tracking for $24 million to $26 million in its second weekend.
- Three new releases are competing for third place: 'The Heart of the Beast' (Brad Pitt), 'Forgotten Island' (animated), and 'Primetime' (Robert Pattinson), with all three projected to open between $15 million and $20 million.
- 'Primetime,' directed by Lance Oppenheim, has a production budget of only $15 million, making it well-positioned for profitability, whereas 'The Heart of the Beast' and 'Forgotten Island' have much higher budgets of $82 million and $80 million, respectively.
- Leaked footage of 'Avengers: Endgame Encore' reveals three new post-credits scenes that tease the plot of 'Avengers: Doomsday,' including a scene with Loki and one involving Doctor Doom and Bruce Banner.
Background
In August 2026, 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' overtook 'Avengers: Endgame' to become the No. 2 all-time domestic box office hit, with 'Endgame' set for a re-release later in the year. 'Resident Evil' had a strong preview performance in September, with projections for a franchise-record opening weekend. The re-release of 'Endgame' is part of a strategy to build anticipation for 'Avengers: Doomsday,' which is expected to be one of the biggest movies of 2026.
How outlets are covering it
Variety focuses on the box office projections and the competitive landscape, highlighting the potential for 'Avengers: Endgame Encore' to top the charts and the financial implications for the new releases, particularly the low budget of 'Primetime.' Gizmodo, on the other hand, emphasizes the leaked new scenes in 'Avengers: Endgame Encore' and their significance for the upcoming 'Avengers: Doomsday,' providing a more detailed look at the content of the re-release and its connection to the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Why it matters
The performance of 'Avengers: Endgame Encore' will be a key indicator of audience interest in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, particularly as it leads up to the release of 'Avengers: Doomsday.' The success or failure of the new releases, especially 'Primetime' and 'The Heart of the Beast,' will also provide insights into the current state of the box office and the viability of different genres and budgets.
What to watch
The box office results for the weekend will determine the ranking of 'Avengers: Endgame Encore' and 'Resident Evil,' as well as the performance of the new releases. The success of 'Avengers: Endgame Encore' will likely influence the marketing and release strategy for 'Avengers: Doomsday' in December. Additionally, the performance of 'Primetime' and 'The Heart of the Beast' will be closely watched to assess the viability of their respective budgets and genres.
- ‘Avengers: Endgame Encore’ Could Top Box Office, Brad Pitt’s ‘Heart of the Beast’ and Robert Pattinson’s ‘Primetime’ Vie for No. 3 Variety
- Avengers: Endgame returns Friday with a first look at Doomsday IMDb
- Avengers: Endgame Encore Leaks Reveal New Ending and Additional Scenes That Connect to Avengers: Doomsday, Including Several Unannounced Cast Members IGN
- Avengers: Endgame Encore bonus footage raises big questions about the Loki season 2 finale Yahoo
- ‘Avengers Endgame: Encore’ New Scenes Leak Online Gizmodo
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